Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Sprite DK - 4570 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Sprite DK Sweater & Cardigan – Pattern 4570: Detailed Summary

This knitting pattern (King Cole pattern number 4570) provides instructions for two classic garments: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both featuring a distinctive raglan sleeve construction. Designed for intermediate knitters, the pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers a generous range of sizes from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in) chest measurement, making it suitable for a wide variety of adult figures.

Both garments are knitted in King Cole Sprite DK yarn, a double knit weight yarn from the well-known British brand King Cole. DK (double knit) yarn is one of the most versatile and popular yarn weights in hand knitting, offering a balance between speed of knitting and stitch definition, making it ideal for structured garments like sweaters and cardigans.

Garments Included in Pattern 4570

Raglan Sleeve Sweater

The pullover sweater is a timeless, over-the-head design built around a raglan sleeve construction. Raglan sleeves are a hallmark of classic knitwear design: rather than a traditional set-in sleeve with a separate armhole shaping, the raglan sleeve runs diagonally from the underarm all the way up to the neckline, creating a smooth, diagonal seam line across the chest and back. This construction is particularly popular because it offers a comfortable, flexible fit across the shoulders and upper body.

A key technical detail noted in this pattern is that the raglan sections are worked at a specific tension of 30 rows to 10 cm (4 in), which differs from the main body tension. This is due to the fully fashioned shaping technique used throughout the raglan decreases. Fully fashioned shaping means that the decreases are worked a set number of stitches in from the edge, creating a visible, decorative decrease line that runs parallel to the raglan seam. This is both a functional and aesthetic technique widely appreciated in quality hand knitting.

Raglan Sleeve Cardigan

The cardigan version shares the same raglan sleeve structure and fully fashioned shaping as the sweater but is worked as an open-front garment. Cardigans of this style typically include a button band or front border, making them a versatile layering piece. Like the sweater, it is sized from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm and knitted in King Cole Sprite DK.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve construction – a classic method where sleeves and body pieces are shaped so that the sleeve cap forms the shoulder line, eliminating the need for a traditional set-in armhole.
• Fully fashioned shaping – decorative and structural decreases worked inset from the garment edge, creating a visible, elegant decrease line along the raglan seam.
• Tension/gauge swatching – the pattern explicitly emphasises the importance of checking tension before commencing, noting two distinct tension requirements: the main fabric tension and the raglan-specific row tension.
• Increasing and decreasing – standard shaping techniques used throughout the body, sleeves, and raglan sections.
• Alternate row working – shaping is worked on alternate rows, a common technique in raglan and armhole construction.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – the primary fabric stitch used throughout both garments. Stocking stitch is formed by knitting on right side rows and purling on wrong side rows, producing a smooth, flat fabric on the right side. The main tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) is measured over stocking stitch.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches – the foundational stitches from which all fabric and shaping are constructed.
• Slip stitch (sl1) – used as part of the fully fashioned decrease technique, where a stitch is slipped knitways before being passed over (psso – pass slipped stitch over) to create a neat, directional decrease.