Cardigan and Sweater Knitted in King Cole Bramble DK - 5740 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole 5740: Cardigan and Sweater Knitted in King Cole Bramble DK – Pattern Summary

Pattern King Cole 5740 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole that includes instructions for two classic children's garments: a shaped cardigan and a sweater, both knitted in King Cole Bramble DK yarn. The designs are sized to fit chest measurements of 51–71 cm (20–28 inches), making them ideal for babies and young children across a range of ages. The pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it a welcoming project for those who are relatively new to knitting but ready to tackle simple shaping techniques.

King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern purchased, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

About King Cole Bramble DK

King Cole Bramble DK is the specified yarn for this pattern. As a double knitting (DK) weight yarn, it sits in the light-to-medium category and is widely popular for children's knitwear due to its softness and workability. DK yarn knits up relatively quickly and produces a fabric with good stitch definition, which is ideal for the clean lines and simple textures featured in these two designs. The pattern is worked on 4mm knitting needles, which is the standard needle size for DK weight yarn.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is emphasised throughout the pattern. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Raglan shaping sections are worked at 30 rows to 10 cm due to the fully fashioned nature of the raglan construction. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size as needed — moving to a finer needle if too few stitches are achieved, or a larger needle if too many — to ensure the finished garments match the intended measurements.

Design One: Shaped Cardigan

The shaped cardigan is a front-opening garment constructed in separate pieces that are seamed together. It features a classic structure with a Left Front, Right Front, back, and sleeves, all worked flat on straight needles. The construction details visible in the pattern include:

• Front edges are shaped with incremental cast-on stitches and increases, building the front panels gradually from a smaller stitch count upward.
• The Right Front begins with a cast-on of 16 stitches (varying by size) and grows through a series of increases at the front edge and cast-on rows.
• The Left Front mirrors this construction, with increases worked at the beginning of purl rows to shape the front edge symmetrically.
• Raglan shaping is worked using fully fashioned decreases, giving the armhole and sleeve-head a neat, tailored appearance. Cast-offs at the beginning of raglan rows initiate the shaping.
• The body is worked in stocking stitch throughout, providing a smooth, classic fabric on the right side.
• Ribbing in 1x1 rib is used for borders and edgings, creating a neat, stretchy finish at cuffs and hem bands.

Stitches and Techniques – Cardigan

• Stocking stitch (St-St): Knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — the primary fabric stitch used throughout the body and sleeves.
• 1x1 Rib: Alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, repeated to create a stretchy ribbed border.
• Fully fashioned raglan shaping: Decreases worked a set number of stitches in from the edge for a decorative and structural finish at the armhole.
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used in shaping sections.
• S1, psso (slip one, pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease used to balance shaping.
• Inc (increase): Working into the front and back of a stitch to add stitches during front-edge shaping.