Sweater & Top in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK - 5622 - Downloadable PDF

Pattern Summary: Sweater & Top in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK – Pattern 5622

This King Cole pattern 5622 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two garments in one: a sweater and a top, both knitted in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK yarn. The designs are sized to fit 81–107 cm (32–42 in) bust measurements, making them accessible across a range of sizes. Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, these patterns are well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple stitch patterns but are looking to build on their skills.

Purchasing this pattern also contributes to a good cause — King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern sold.

About the Yarn: King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK

King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK is a double knitting weight yarn, making it a versatile and popular choice for garment knitting. The bamboo and cotton blend gives the finished fabric a soft, breathable, and slightly lustrous quality — ideal for tops and lightweight sweaters that can be worn across seasons. The DK weight strikes a balance between fine detail and a satisfying pace of knitting, making it a favourite for intermediate knitters working on wearable projects.

Needles and Tension

Both garments are worked on 4mm knitting needles. Two tension guides are specified in the pattern:

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles
• 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over pattern stitch on 4mm needles

As with all garment knitting, checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended. Knitting a tension square allows you to confirm your stitch and row count matches the pattern, ensuring the finished garment will fit correctly. If your tension differs, adjusting needle size up or down is the standard approach to achieve the correct gauge.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a range of classic knitting stitches and techniques appropriate for the intermediate level:

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the most common knitting fabric, worked with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic finish
• Reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st) – the mirror image of stocking stitch, with purl on the right side and knit on the wrong side, creating a textured, ridged surface often used as a contrast or design feature
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric commonly used for borders, hems, and trims
• Pattern stitch (patt) – a defined stitch pattern used across sections of one or both garments, contributing to the slightly different row tension noted above
• Increasing (inc) and decreasing (dec) – standard shaping techniques used to create the fitted silhouettes of the sweater and top
• Slip stitch (sl) and pass slipped stitch over (psso) – used in shaping and decorative decrease sequences
• Knitting through the back of stitch(es) (tbs) – a technique that twists the stitch, often used to tighten decreases or add subtle texture
• Yarn back (ybk) – a yarn positioning instruction used in conjunction with slip stitches or other techniques

The Sweater

The sweater design is a more substantial garment, likely featuring full sleeves and a complete body construction. Working in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK, the sweater benefits from the yarn's lightweight and breathable properties, making it suitable for year-round wear. The combination of stocking stitch and pattern stitch sections adds visual interest while keeping the knitting engaging for intermediate-level crafters. Shaping is achieved through standard increases and decreases at key points such as the armhole, sleeve head, and neckline.

The Top

The top is a lighter, shorter garment — likely sleeveless or with minimal sleeve detailing — designed