Coat, Cardigan, Bootees & Blanket in King Cole Cherish DK - 5965 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Cherish DK Pattern 5965: Matinee Coat, Cardigan, Bootees and Blanket – Full Pattern Summary

Pattern 5965 from King Cole is a charming collection of four classic baby knits designed to be worked in King Cole Cherish DK yarn. The set includes a Matinee Coat, a Cardigan, Bootees, and a Blanket, making it an ideal choice for knitters looking to create a coordinated layette or gift set for a newborn or young baby. Sizes range from 36 to 54 cm (14 to 21 inches), covering a generous span of baby sizes from newborn through to older infants. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are comfortable working from written instructions and managing multiple techniques within a single project.

About the Yarn and Materials

All four designs in this pattern are worked in King Cole Cherish DK, a double knitting weight yarn. The DK weight is one of the most versatile yarn weights in knitting, producing a fabric that is light enough for baby garments while still being substantial enough to provide warmth and structure. King Cole Cherish is specifically designed with babies in mind, offering a soft, gentle handle that is kind to delicate skin.

The recommended needles for this pattern are 4mm knitting needles, which are the standard needle size for DK weight yarn and are used to achieve the stated tension for stocking stitch sections. Achieving the correct tension is emphasised in the pattern, and knitters are advised to work a tension square before beginning any of the garments.

Tension Guidelines

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles
• 27 stitches and 40 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over rib pattern
• Knitters are advised to adjust needle size if their tension does not match — moving to finer needles if fewer stitches or rows are achieved than stated

The Matinee Coat

The Matinee Coat is a traditional baby garment with a long, elegant silhouette that extends below the waist, offering extra coverage and warmth for young babies. Matinee coats are a timeless staple of baby knitwear, historically popular for their practicality and classic aesthetic. This design is worked in King Cole Cherish DK and incorporates a combination of classic knitting techniques to create a garment with both visual interest and wearability.

Techniques and Stitches – Matinee Coat

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the primary fabric stitch, worked with right side rows knitted and wrong side rows purled, creating a smooth, classic finish
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, typically used for borders, hems, and decorative bands to add texture and prevent curling
• Rib pattern – used for cuffs and edgings, providing stretch and a neat, fitted finish
• Increasing and decreasing – shaping techniques used throughout to create the tailored fit of the coat, including methods such as M1 (make one stitch by picking up the bar between stitches) and psso (pass slipped stitch over)
• Slipping stitches – including slipping stitches purlwise, used in shaping and pattern construction
• Working through the back of the stitch (tbs) – a technique used to twist stitches and create a neater finish in certain areas
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – used to create decorative eyelets, which may form part of a lace or decorative border detail

The Cardigan

The Cardigan included in pattern 5965 is a shorter, more everyday baby knit that pairs beautifully with the Matinee Coat as part of a coordinated set. Cardigans are among the most practical baby garments, offering easy dressing and layering options. This design is worked in the same King