Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK - 4342 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK Sweater and Cardigan – Pattern 4342

Pattern 4342 from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs worked in Bamboo Cotton DK yarn: a pullover sweater and a cardigan. Both garments are sized to fit bust/chest measurements of 81–117 cm (32–46 in), making them suitable for a wide range of adult sizes. This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern available as a downloadable PDF, offering a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping, lace-style stitch patterns, and working from multi-size instructions.

Every purchase of a King Cole pattern includes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, so buying this pattern also supports a meaningful charitable cause.

About the Designs

The Sweater

The sweater is a shaped pullover featuring a decorative stitch pattern on the body panels. The back is cast on using 4mm (US 6) knitting needles and begins with two knit rows before moving into the main pattern sequence. The stitch pattern is introduced immediately and creates a textured, lace-influenced fabric using yarn-forward and slip-stitch techniques. The construction follows a classic set-in or shaped-sleeve method, with careful row-by-row shaping instructions for the armholes and neck.

The pattern includes a neck shaping section that divides the work and requires decreasing on alternate rows to create a neat, fitted neckline. Rib or garter stitch borders are worked on finer 3.75mm (US 5) needles to create a tidy, non-curling edge at key points such as cuffs and neckbands.

The Cardigan

The cardigan shares the same yarn and needle specifications as the sweater and uses the same decorative stitch pattern across its body panels. Like the sweater, it is worked flat in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The cardigan's front bands and borders are worked in garter stitch on the finer 3.75mm (US 5) needles, providing a firm, stable edge ideal for a button band. The sleeve construction involves gradual increases worked on the third row and then on every following fourth or fifth row (depending on the size), building the sleeve cap shaping smoothly.

Both garments share a consistent approach to construction, making it practical for a knitter to make one and then tackle the other with confidence.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Main Stitch Patterns

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The foundation fabric of both garments, formed by alternating a knit row (right side) and a purl row (wrong side). This creates the smooth, classic knitted fabric used across the main body sections.
• Garter Stitch (G-St): Every row is knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric. Used for border and band sections to add structure and prevent rolling edges.
• Lace-Influenced Decorative Pattern: The signature stitch pattern of both designs is introduced on the right-side rows and uses a combination of yarn forward (yfwd), slip one knitways (s1), knit one, pass slipped stitch over (psso), and standard knit stitches. This creates an elegant, open, leaf-like or eyelet motif across the fabric, adding visual interest without excessive complexity.

Key Techniques

• Tension/Gauge Matching: The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over Stocking Stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Knitters are advised to switch to finer needles if their stitch count is too low, or to larger needles if it is too high. Achieving the correct tension is described as essential.
• Shaping by Decreasing: Armhole and neck shaping are achieved through decreasing — working decreases at each end of specified rows, including on alternate rows, to create smooth, angled edges.
• Shaping by Increasing: Sleeve shaping is built up through regular increases on the third row and then every following third, fourth, or fifth row depending on the size being worked, producing a gradual sleeve