Sweaters in King Cole Drifter DK - 4956 - Downloadable PDF

Sweaters in King Cole Drifter DK – Pattern 4956

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents a collection of sweaters designed for knitters of beginner level. The pattern is worked in King Cole Drifter DK yarn and covers a chest size range of 81–107 cm (32–42 inches), making it a versatile choice for a wide variety of adult sizes. The designs are straightforward and accessible, making them an excellent entry point for those new to garment knitting while still offering a polished, wearable result.

What Is Being Made

Pattern 4956 includes at least one clearly detailed design: a Sweater with Scoop Neck. This is a classic pullover-style sweater featuring a rounded scoop neckline, shaped armholes, and a structured top. The pattern is written to accommodate six sizes across the stated chest measurement range, with size-specific stitch counts and row instructions clearly bracketed throughout. The sweater is knitted in separate pieces — a Back and a Front — which are then seamed together, a traditional construction method well suited to beginner garment knitters.

Construction and Shaping Techniques

The sweater is constructed using flat knitting worked back and forth in rows on straight needles. Key shaping techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Casting off at the beginning of rows to shape the armhole and sleeve top
• Decreasing one stitch at each end of alternate rows to create smooth, tapered shaping at the top of the sleeve and armhole
• Neck shaping achieved by dividing the work and placing remaining stitches onto a thread holder, allowing each shoulder to be worked separately
• Straight rows worked without shaping to build length through the body before shaping begins

The use of a stitch holder (thread) for the neck stitches is a classic technique that keeps live stitches safe while the opposite shoulder is completed, resulting in a neat and professional neckline finish. The scoop neck shaping is gradual and worked over multiple rows, giving the neckline its characteristic rounded appearance.

Stitches Used

The pattern makes use of several standard knitting stitches and stitch structures:

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side; the primary fabric of the sweater body
• Reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st) – purl on the right side, knit on the wrong side; used as a contrast or textural element within the pattern
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted; often used for borders, welts, or edging details
• Pattern stitch (patt) – a specific stitch pattern used throughout the body of the garment, worked at a tension of 28 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over the pattern on 4mm needles

A Special Note within the pattern advises that the stitch count on the second row of the pattern stitch may vary and that stitches should not be counted at the end of this row. This is an important detail for beginner knitters to be aware of, as it relates to the nature of the decorative or textural pattern repeat used in the design.

Tension and Needle Information

Achieving the correct tension is emphasised strongly in this pattern. The stated tension is 28 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the pattern stitch using 4mm knitting needles. Knitters are advised to work a tension square before beginning the garment and to adjust needle size accordingly — moving to finer needles if the tension is too loose, or larger needles if it is too tight. Getting tension right is especially important in a sized garment like this sweater, where even small deviations can significantly affect the finished measurements.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for King Cole Drifter DK, a double knitting weight yarn. Drifter DK is known for its self-striping, tonal colour effects that create visual interest without the need for complex colourwork techniques — making