Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Splash DK - 5764 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Splash DK Sweater and Cardigan – Pattern 5764

Pattern 5764 from King Cole is a knitting pattern offering two classic garments: a sweater and a cardigan, both worked in King Cole Splash DK yarn. Designed at an intermediate skill level, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and a variety of stitch techniques, and who are ready to tackle a full garment with structure and detail. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for home printing or on-screen use.

Garments Included

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic pullover construction worked in King Cole Splash DK yarn. It is designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in), offering a generous size range suitable for a variety of figures. The sweater is knitted using standard garment construction techniques, with separate pieces worked flat and seamed together. The textured qualities of the Splash DK yarn add visual interest to the finished fabric without requiring complex stitch work.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is the second design included in this pattern and shares the same size range of 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in). Like the sweater, it is worked in King Cole Splash DK and uses the same tension and needle specifications. The open-front cardigan format makes it a versatile layering piece, and the use of the Splash DK yarn gives it a lively, contemporary look suited to casual and everyday wear.

Materials

Yarn

Both garments are knitted using King Cole Splash DK, a double knitting (DK) weight yarn. DK weight yarn is one of the most popular yarn weights for garment knitting, offering a balance between speed of knitting and fine fabric drape. The Splash name suggests a multi-tonal or variegated colourway, which adds natural colour interest to the finished pieces without requiring stranded colourwork or intarsia techniques.

Needles

The pattern specifies 4mm knitting needles as the primary needle size. This is the standard recommended needle size for DK weight yarn and produces a firm, well-defined fabric. Knitters are strongly encouraged to work a tension square before beginning either garment to ensure their personal tension matches the pattern gauge.

Tension

The stated tension for both garments is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over pattern on 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential in garment knitting, as even a small variation in stitch or row count can significantly affect the finished size and fit. If fewer stitches or rows are achieved over 10 cm than stated, knitters are advised to switch to a smaller needle size to tighten the fabric accordingly.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Core Stitches

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – the two fundamental stitches of knitting, used throughout both garments in various combinations.
• Stocking Stitch (st-st) – worked with the right side knit and the wrong side purled, producing a smooth, classic fabric surface. This is one of the most commonly used base fabrics in garment knitting.
• Reversed Stocking Stitch (rev st-st) – the inverse of stocking stitch, with the right side purled and the wrong side knitted. This creates a textured, ridged surface on the public-facing side of the fabric and is used as a design detail in these garments.
• Garter Stitch (gst) – produced by knitting every row, creating a ridged, reversible fabric. Garter stitch is often used for borders, cuffs, and edgings as it lies flat without curling.

Shaping Techniques

• Increase (inc) – used to add stitches and shape the garment pieces, such as at sleeve seams or body shaping points.
• Decrease (dec) – used to reduce stitch counts