Tabards Knitted in King Cole Aran - 5657 - Downloadable PDF

Tabards Knitted in King Cole Aran – Pattern 5657

This downloadable PDF from King Cole presents knitting patterns for two tabard designs: a Short Tabard and a Long Tabard. Tabards are sleeveless, open-sided garments that slip over the head and sit flat against the front and back of the body, making them a versatile and stylish layering piece. Both designs are worked in King Cole Aran weight yarn and are sized to fit chest measurements of 86–112 cm (34–44 in), offering six sizes to accommodate a range of fits. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and textured stitch patterns.

Design Overview

Short Tabard

The Short Tabard is a cropped, over-the-head garment worked in a combination of Fisherman's Rib and garter stitch side bands. It features a shaped neckline with decreases worked on both sides to create a neat, fitted neck opening. The construction begins at the back with a cast-on edge, progresses through the ribbed body, and includes a neckband that is sewn up at the left shoulder seam. Side seams are partially sewn for approximately 15 cm (6 in) below markers, leaving the lower portion open in true tabard style.

Neck shaping involves decreasing one stitch at the neck edge on the next four rows, followed by decreases on every alternate row four times, creating a smooth, gradual curve. Shoulder shaping is achieved through a series of cast-off rows. The pattern provides clear instructions for working both the first and second sides of the neck, with a note to work one additional row on the second side to keep the shaping symmetrical.

Long Tabard

The Long Tabard follows the same fundamental construction principles as the Short Tabard but extends to a longer length, offering more coverage and a different silhouette. It is also worked in Fisherman's Rib with garter stitch side bands and shares the same sizing range. The longer length makes it an ideal layering piece over trousers or leggings.

Techniques Used

• Fisherman's Rib: A deeply textured, stretchy rib stitch created by knitting into the stitch one row below rather than the stitch on the needle. This gives the fabric a thick, cushioned appearance similar to brioche knitting and is central to the look and drape of both tabards.
• Garter Stitch Side Bands: The side edges of each piece are worked in garter stitch (every row knit), providing a firm, non-curling border that frames the Fisherman's Rib body neatly.
• Neck Shaping: Worked through a combination of row-by-row decreases and alternate-row decreases to create a smooth, rounded neckline.
• Shoulder Shaping: Achieved by casting off stitches in stages across the shoulder rows.
• Seaming: The left shoulder seam is sewn up and the neckband joined. Side seams are partially sewn to maintain the open-sided tabard structure.
• Tension Square: The pattern strongly recommends knitting a tension square before beginning, adjusting needle size as needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Stitches Used

• Fisherman's Rib – the primary stitch pattern throughout the body of both tabards
• Garter Stitch – used for the side bands on every piece
• Standard Rib (K1, P1) – used for the initial ribbed border rows at the cast-on edge
• K1B (Knit One Below) – the special abbreviation that creates the Fisherman's Rib effect by inserting the needle into the stitch one row below and knitting in the usual way
• Slip stitch, psso (pass slipped stitch over) – used in shaping sections

Materials

• Yarn: King Cole Aran weight yarn
• Needles: