Slipover and Sweater in King Cole Opium - 4179 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Opium 4179 – Slipover and Sweater Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

Pattern King Cole 4179 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic knitwear designs in one: a slipover (a sleeveless pullover vest) and a sweater, both knitted in King Cole Opium chunky-weight yarn. The pattern covers a generous size range of 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it accessible to a wide range of body sizes. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and working from a written pattern but are not yet at an advanced level.

About King Cole Opium Yarn

King Cole Opium is a chunky-weight yarn, which means projects knit up quickly and produce a satisfyingly cosy, substantial fabric. Its chunky weight makes it well suited to warm, wearable garments such as the slipover and sweater featured in this pattern. The recommended tension for this pattern is 18 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the stitch pattern used, which is an important guide when selecting the correct needle size and checking your gauge before beginning.

Design One – The Slipover

The slipover is a sleeveless pullover vest, a timeless wardrobe staple that can be worn over shirts, blouses, or lightweight tops for a smart, layered look. Because it has no sleeves, it is a slightly quicker knit than the full sweater and makes an excellent project for knitters looking to build confidence with garment shaping before tackling a sleeved design.

Construction and Shaping

The slipover is worked in separate pieces – a Back and a Front – which are then seamed together. The pattern includes neck shaping, with stitches placed on a stitch holder while the neckline is worked. The neck shaping involves dividing the work and knitting each side separately to create a neat, shaped neckline. Finishing details such as neckbands and armhole edgings are worked in 1x1 rib, a classic stretchy ribbing formed by alternating knit and purl stitches, which provides a neat, professional finish and helps the garment retain its shape at the edges.

Stitches and Techniques

• 1x1 Rib – used for edgings and borders, alternating one knit stitch with one purl stitch
• Stocking stitch (and reversed stocking stitch) – the main fabric of the garment
• Neck shaping – stitches placed on a stitch holder and worked separately for each side
• Casting off in pattern – maintaining the stitch pattern while casting off for a tidy finish

Design Two – The Sweater

The sweater is a full-sleeved pullover, offering more warmth and coverage than the slipover. It shares the same classic, relaxed styling and is worked in the same King Cole Opium chunky yarn, ensuring a consistent, cosy fabric throughout. The sweater is an excellent choice for cooler weather and provides a satisfying knitting project with a practical, wearable result.

Construction and Shaping

Like the slipover, the sweater is constructed in separate pieces. The Back is worked first, followed by the Front, and then the Sleeves are knitted separately and set in. The pattern specifies that the Back of the sweater is worked exactly as given for the Back of the slipover up to a certain point, streamlining the instructions across both designs. The sleeves feature sleeve shaping, with increases worked at each end of the needle at regular intervals – specifically, increasing 1 stitch at each end of the 5th row and every following 9th, 8th, 8th, 7th, or 6th row depending on the size being knitted. This graduated shaping ensures a well-fitted sleeve that tapers correctly toward the underarm.

The sleeve length is worked until the piece reaches specific measurements: 42, 46,