Cardigans in King Cole Timeless Chunky - 5623 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in King Cole Timeless Chunky – Pattern 5623: Detailed Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for knitting cardigans in King Cole Timeless Chunky yarn. The pattern is designed for intermediate knitters and covers a generous range of sizes, from 76/81 cm (30/32 in) up to 117/122 cm (46/48 in) chest measurement, making it accessible for a wide variety of body types. Purchasing this pattern also contributes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, adding a charitable dimension to every purchase.

Yarn and Materials

The cardigans are knitted using King Cole Timeless Chunky yarn, a chunky-weight yarn well suited to cosy, substantial outerwear. Chunky yarn works up quickly on larger needles, making this an appealing project for knitters who want to see satisfying progress without sacrificing texture or stitch definition.

• Yarn: King Cole Timeless Chunky
• Weight: Chunky
• Needles: 6mm knitting needles, or the size required to achieve the correct tension

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting garment. The stated tension for this pattern is 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch using 6mm needles. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size up or down if their tension swatch does not match this gauge — if fewer stitches than stated are achieved over 10 cm, moving to a smaller needle size is recommended.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a combination of classic knitting stitches and textures, giving the cardigans their structured yet comfortable appearance. The following stitch patterns are used:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The foundational fabric stitch, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for the main body panels of a cardigan.
• Garter Stitch (G-St): Every row is knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric. Garter stitch is commonly used for borders, button bands, and cuffs, adding a neat, firm edge to garment sections.
• Double Moss Stitch (Double Moss-St): A textured stitch pattern worked by repeating K1, P1 sequences in a specific arrangement across rows. Double moss stitch creates a richly textured, slightly raised fabric that adds visual interest and a premium hand-knitted feel to the finished cardigan.

Key Knitting Techniques and Abbreviations

The pattern employs a range of standard knitting techniques that intermediate knitters will be familiar with. These include:

• Increasing (inc) and decreasing (dec) for shaping the body, armholes, and neckline
• Slip one stitch knitways (sl1) and pass slipped stitch over (psso) for neat, directional decreases
• Knitting through the back of the loop (tbl) for twisted stitches where required
• Working stitches together (tog) as part of shaping sequences
• Following right side (rs) and wrong side (ws) row instructions to maintain correct stitch orientation
• Working alternate (alt) rows and following (foll) pattern repeats accurately

About the Design

As a cardigan pattern, this design is a classic open-front knitted garment typically featuring set-in or shaped sleeves, a button band, and a structured neckline. The use of chunky weight yarn means the finished cardigans are warm, substantial, and ideal for cooler weather. The combination of stocking stitch, garter stitch, and double moss stitch across the pattern suggests that the design balances smooth main panels with decorative or structural textured sections, resulting in a garment with both visual appeal and excellent wearability.