Cardigans Knitted in King Cole Aran - 5658 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans Knitted in King Cole Aran – Pattern 5658

This downloadable PDF pattern from King Cole (Leaflet 5658) provides instructions for knitting classic cardigans in Aran weight yarn, sized to fit chest measurements of 86–112 cm (34–44 inches). The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and includes at least one featured design: a Cardigan with Collar. The pattern covers six sizes within that range, making it a versatile choice for knitters looking to create a well-fitted, traditional knitwear piece.

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Cardigan with Collar

The primary design featured in this pattern is a Cardigan with Collar, a timeless and structured garment suitable for everyday wear. The cardigan is worked in pieces — including a back, left front, right front, sleeves, and collar — and features several classic construction details such as shaped armholes, a shaped back neck, front bands, and integrated pocket linings.

Construction and Shaping

The garment is constructed using traditional flat knitting techniques, with each section worked separately and then assembled. Key construction features include:

• Pocket Linings: Two pocket linings are knitted separately using 5mm needles, casting on between 25 and 29 stitches depending on size, and worked in stocking stitch for 36–40 rows. Stitches are then slipped onto a thread to be incorporated into the fronts later.
• Armhole Shaping: Armholes are shaped by casting off between 9 and 14 stitches at the beginning of two consecutive rows, varying by size, followed by a straight section of 40–50 rows in stocking stitch.
• Back Neck Shaping: The back neck is shaped by working across a set number of stitches, turning, and then decreasing one stitch at the neck edge on the next two rows on each side, creating a neat and fitted neckline.
• Collar and Neckband: The collar is picked up around the neckline in a specific sequence — picking up stitches from the top of the front band, from held stitches on a thread, evenly up the right front neck, down the right side of the back neck, across the held back neck stitches, up the left side of the back neck, evenly down the left front neck, from the thread again, and finally to the centre of the left front band. This results in a total of between 93 and 111 stitches depending on size, ensuring a smooth, even collar.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting worked back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles
• Stocking stitch as the primary fabric throughout the garment body, fronts, and sleeves
• Integrated pocket construction using separately knitted linings held on a thread and joined during front knitting
• Armhole and neck shaping using cast-off rows and row-by-row decreases
• Picking up stitches around the neckline and front bands to create a seamless collar
• Tension square knitting recommended before starting, to ensure accurate sizing

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st-st): Knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — the dominant stitch pattern throughout
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches as the foundation of all fabric
• Slip stitch (sl): Used in shaping and stitch-holding techniques
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso): A decrease technique used in shaping
• Yarn round needle (yrn): Used to create yarn-over increases where required
• Knitting together (tog): Used for decrease shaping throughout armholes and necklines

Materials

• Yarn: King Cole Aran