Dress & Cardigans in King Cole DK - 5085pdf - Downloadable PDF

Dress & Cardigans in King Cole DK – Pattern 5085: Detailed Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole, reference 5085, presents a charming collection of baby and toddler knitwear sized from 3 to 24 months, covering chest measurements of 41–54 cm (16–21 inches). The pattern includes a dress and cardigans, making it a versatile set for building a complete handknitted wardrobe for young children. It is rated at an intermediate difficulty level, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and stitch techniques but are ready to tackle more structured garment construction.

A portion of every purchase of this King Cole pattern contributes to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, so buying this pattern also supports a meaningful charitable cause.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed to be knitted in King Cole DK (double knit weight) yarn. DK is one of the most popular yarn weights for baby and children's knitwear, offering a fabric that is light enough for comfort yet substantial enough to hold stitch definition clearly. Knitters should select a yarn that achieves the stated tension and is appropriate for baby skin — many knitters choose soft, machine-washable DK yarns for children's garments for practicality.

• Yarn weight: DK (double knit)
• Recommended needle size: 4mm needles (as stated in the tension section)
• Craft: Knitting

Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch on 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential before beginning any garment piece, as even a small difference in stitch or row count can significantly alter the finished size of a baby or toddler garment. The pattern advises knitters to work a tension square first: if fewer stitches or rows than stated are achieved over 10 cm, switch to finer needles; if more stitches or rows are achieved, switch to larger needles.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a range of classic knitting stitches and techniques that are standard in garment construction at the intermediate level:

• Stocking stitch (st-st): The primary fabric stitch, worked with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side. This creates the smooth, classic surface seen on most knitted garments.
• Garter stitch (gst): Every row knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric often used for borders, hems, and decorative bands.
• Increasing (inc): Used to shape garment pieces such as sleeves and body panels by adding stitches at specified points.
• Decreasing (dec): Used to shape armholes, necklines, and other fitted areas by reducing stitch counts.
• Yarn forward (yfwd): A technique used to create a decorative eyelet or lace effect, commonly used in baby patterns for delicate detailing.
• Yarn round needle (yrn): Similar to yarn forward, used to create an extra stitch or decorative hole, particularly in purl-side or combined stitch contexts.
• Slip stitch (sl) and pass slipped stitch over (psso): Decrease methods used in shaping and potentially in decorative stitch patterns.
• Knit two together (k2tog) and similar decrease methods: Standard shaping techniques throughout the garment pieces.
• Working in alternate rows (alt): A common instruction in shaping sequences, where increases or decreases are worked every other row.

The Dress

The dress included in this pattern is designed for babies and toddlers aged 3 to 24 months. Knitted in King Cole DK yarn, the dress uses stocking stitch as its main fabric, with garter stitch likely featured at hems, cuffs, or borders for a neat finish. The use of yarn forward and yarn round needle techniques suggests the inclusion of delicate eyelet or lace