Matinee Coats, Cardigan and Shoes in King Cole DK - 4214 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Pattern 4214 – Matinee Coats, Cardigan and Shoes in DK

King Cole Pattern 4214 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed for premature babies up to 6 months old, covering chest sizes from 31 cm to 41 cm (12–16 inches). The pattern includes instructions for two matinee coats, a cardigan, and a pair of baby shoes, making it a comprehensive layette set ideal for gifting or building a newborn wardrobe. Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple stitch patterns but are ready to take on a little more detail and construction.

King Cole is a well-established British yarn brand with a long heritage in producing accessible, reliable knitting patterns, and Pattern 4214 reflects that tradition with clear, structured instructions across multiple garment sizes. A charitable note worth mentioning: for every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Yarn and Needles

All designs in this pattern are knitted in King Cole DK (Double Knit) weight yarn. DK is one of the most popular yarn weights for baby knitting — it works up quickly, produces a fabric with excellent stitch definition, and is light enough to be comfortable against delicate newborn skin. Two needle sizes are called for throughout the pattern:

• 3.75 mm needles — used for cast-on sections, ribbing, and finer detail work such as the shoe strap and garter stitch borders
• 4 mm needles — used for the main body fabric of the garments

The Matinee Coats

The matinee coats are classic baby outerwear pieces that extend longer than a standard cardigan, typically covering the nappy area — a traditional and practical style for newborns and young infants. In Pattern 4214, the matinee coat construction features integrated garter stitch front bands, worked as part of the main knitting rather than picked up separately, which gives a neat, stable edge and makes the pattern approachable for intermediate knitters.

Key techniques and stitch details in the matinee coats include:

• Garter stitch (gst) — used for borders, front bands, and foundational rows, creating a firm, non-curling edge that is ideal for baby garments
• Eyelet and lace detailing — the pattern incorporates yarn forward (yfwd) increases paired with K2tog (knit two together) and sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) decreases to form decorative eyelet rows, adding a delicate, traditional lacy texture
• Stitch pattern panels — the body fabric alternates between knit and purl arrangements (for example, K5 and P2 sequences), creating a textured pattern that adds visual interest beyond plain stocking stitch
• Shaping — standard garment shaping is worked throughout to achieve the fitted silhouette appropriate for each size bracket (premature, newborn, up to 6 months)

The Cardigan

The cardigan included in Pattern 4214 follows a similar construction philosophy to the matinee coats but in a shorter, more everyday length. Like the coats, it features garter stitch front bands and uses the same King Cole DK yarn on 4 mm needles for the main fabric, with 3.75 mm needles for any finer or border sections. The cardigan is sized to match the same chest measurements as the coats (31–41 cm), ensuring a coordinated set across all the pattern pieces.

Techniques used in the cardigan include:

• Garter stitch borders and bands for structure and ease of finishing
• Eyelet buttonholes created using yfwd and decrease combinations, providing neat, small openings suitable for baby-sized buttons
• Stitch patterning consistent with the matinee coats, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic across the set

The Baby Shoes

The knitted baby shoes are a charming addition