Sweater & Top in King Cole Cotton Top DK - 5867pdf - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Cotton Top DK Sweater & Top Knitting Pattern (5867)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for two garments: a classic sweater and a top, both knitted in King Cole Cotton Top DK yarn. The pattern is designed to suit a wide range of sizes, covering chest measurements from 71 cm to 117 cm (28 in to 46 in), making it an accessible and versatile choice for knitters of all body types. Rated as a beginner difficulty level, this pattern is an excellent starting point for those new to garment knitting, while still offering a satisfying and polished finished result for more experienced makers.

King Cole is a well-established British yarn brand with a long history of producing reliable, clearly written knitting patterns. Pattern 5867 is part of their ongoing commitment to accessible home knitting, and notably, for every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a charitable cause supporting breast cancer awareness and research.

Garments Included

• Sweater: A knitted sweater worked in a straightforward construction, suitable for everyday wear. The design uses classic shaping techniques appropriate for beginner knitters.
• Top: A lighter, more casual knitted top, also constructed using the same yarn and needle specifications, offering a warmer-weather alternative within the same pattern booklet.

Yarn and Materials

Both garments are designed to be knitted in King Cole Cotton Top DK, a double knit (DK) weight yarn. DK yarn is one of the most popular yarn weights in knitting — lighter than Aran but heavier than 4-ply — making it ideal for garments that require good stitch definition without being too heavy or bulky. A cotton or cotton-blend yarn such as Cotton Top DK is particularly well suited to tops and sweaters intended for spring and summer wear, offering breathability, softness against the skin, and excellent stitch clarity.

• Yarn: King Cole Cotton Top DK
• Recommended Needles: 4mm knitting needles (or the size required to achieve the correct tension)
• Needle Type: Standard straight knitting needles

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for garment knitting to ensure accurate sizing and fit. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch using 4mm knitting needles. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly — moving to a finer needle if fewer stitches than stated are achieved per 10 cm, or a larger needle if more stitches are produced.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern makes use of a small, clearly defined set of stitches and techniques, keeping it well within reach of beginner knitters while producing a professional-looking fabric:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. Stocking stitch produces a smooth, flat fabric that is ideal for garment bodies and sleeves.
• 1x1 Rib: A stretchy ribbing stitch formed by alternating knit one, purl one across the row. This is typically used for cuffs, hems, and neckbands to provide elasticity and a neat, fitted edge.
• M1 (Make One Stitch): An increase technique where a new stitch is created by picking up the horizontal loop lying between the last stitch worked and the next stitch on the needle, then knitting into it. This method creates a nearly invisible increase, commonly used in garment shaping.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The two fundamental knitting stitches that form the basis of all the fabric in this pattern.
• Decrease techniques: Including knitting two stitches together (tog) and slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (s1, K1, psso), used for armhole, neck, and sleeve shaping.
• Slip stitch (sl):