Summer Top and Sweater in King Cole Bamboo DK - 4171 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Bamboo DK Summer Top and Sweater – Pattern 4171

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern (King Cole pattern number 4171) contains instructions for two separate garments: a Summer Top and a Sweater, both knitted in King Cole Bamboo DK yarn. The pattern is graded as intermediate in difficulty and covers a wide range of sizes from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making it suitable for a broad range of adult figures.

Materials and Tension

Both garments are designed to be worked in King Cole Bamboo DK, a double knit weight yarn celebrated for its natural bamboo fibre content, which gives the finished fabric a soft, breathable, and subtly lustrous quality — ideal for lighter-weight tops and transitional-season sweaters. Two needle sizes are called for throughout the pattern:

• 3.25mm needles – used for ribbed welts, cuffs, and borders
• 4mm needles – used for the main body fabric worked in stocking stitch

The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch on 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension swatch before beginning is especially important across such a wide size range, as even small deviations can significantly affect the finished measurements of the garment.

The Sweater

The Sweater is the more structured of the two garments included in pattern 4171. It features a classic construction with a separately worked Front, and Sleeves (Both Alike), indicating a traditional set-in or drop-shoulder style assembly familiar to intermediate knitters.

Techniques and Stitches – Sweater

The sweater combines several knitting techniques to create both structure and decorative interest:

• 2x2 Rib – The lower body is begun on 3.25mm needles with a cast-on of 90, 102, 114, 126, or 134 stitches (depending on size) and worked in 2x2 rib for 13 cm, ending on a right-side row before switching to the larger needles. This ribbed welt provides elasticity and a neat, professional finish at the hem.
• Stocking Stitch – The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) on 4mm needles, giving a smooth, classic surface to the garment.
• Lace Patterning – A decorative lace panel is incorporated into the design, using a sequence of yarn-forward increases (yfwd), paired decreases (K2tog and s1, K1, psso), and the more advanced s1, K2tog, psso (a double decrease). This creates an elegant openwork motif running through the fabric, adding visual interest without overwhelming the overall silhouette.
• Sleeves (Both Alike) – The sleeves are begun on 3.25mm needles with a cast-on of 50 or 54 stitches (size dependent) and worked for 16 rows in 2x2 rib before changing to 4mm needles and continuing in stocking stitch for the remainder of the sleeve length.

Key Stitches – Sweater

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – the foundation stitches used throughout
• 2x2 Rib (K2, P2 repeat) – for welts and cuffs
• Stocking Stitch – for the main fabric panels
• yfwd (yarn forward) – a yarn-over increase used to create lace eyelets
• K2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease
• s1, K1,