Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Baby Alpaca DK - 4366 - Downloadable PDF

Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Baby Alpaca DK – Pattern 4366

Pattern 4366 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic garment designs: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole Baby Alpaca DK yarn. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and are ready to tackle elegant raglan construction. The designs are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making them suitable for a wide range of adult sizes.

About the Designs

Pullover Sweater

The sweater is a classic fitted pullover featuring a raglan sleeve construction, which creates a smooth, diagonal seam running from the underarm to the neckline. Raglan shaping is a traditional technique that provides excellent fit and ease of movement, and it is particularly well suited to DK-weight yarns where stitch definition enhances the fully fashioned decrease lines. The front of the sweater is worked flat, beginning with a neat 1x1 rib hem before transitioning into the main body fabric.

The body incorporates a textured stitch pattern featuring a combination of knit and purl columns arranged in a 3x3 rib-style panel, adding visual interest and a subtle structured appearance to the fabric. A lace or eyelet detail is also introduced through the use of yarn forward (yfwd), slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (psso) sequences, creating a delicate decorative element within the design. These details elevate the sweater beyond a plain stocking stitch garment while remaining achievable for an intermediate knitter.

The raglan shaping rows are worked at a specific tension of 30 rows to 10cm/4in — slightly different from the main body tension — due to the fully fashioned shaping involved. Knitters are advised to pay close attention to this distinction to ensure accurate fit.

Cardigan

The cardigan version shares the same raglan sleeve construction and yarn as the sweater, offering a versatile open-front alternative. Like the sweater, it is worked in King Cole Baby Alpaca DK and uses the same foundational stitch repertoire, including 1x1 rib for the welts and cuffs, stocking stitch for the main body sections, and garter stitch detailing. The cardigan's front bands and button bands are typically worked in garter stitch or rib, providing a clean, stable edge that lies flat without curling — an important consideration when working with alpaca-blend yarns, which can have a softer drape than pure wool.

Both garments share a cohesive aesthetic, making the pattern excellent value for knitters who wish to create a coordinating set or simply choose the style that best suits their wardrobe.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• 1x1 Rib: Worked over an odd number of stitches by alternating knit and purl stitches across rows. Used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands to provide elasticity and a neat finish.
• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The classic combination of knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, forming the smooth main fabric of the garments.
• Garter Stitch (G-st): Every row knitted, creating a ridged, reversible fabric used for decorative or structural details such as borders.
• 3x3 Rib / Textured Panel: Alternating columns of three knit stitches and three purl stitches, creating a structured, visually appealing texture across the body.
• Eyelet / Lace Detail: Created using yarn forward (yfwd) paired with slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (psso) to form decorative openwork stitches within the pattern.
• Raglan Shaping: Fully fashioned decreases worked at regular intervals along the raglan seam lines, creating the characteristic diagonal shaping that joins sleeves to body without a traditional set-in sleeve seam.
• Fully Fashioned