Cardigan, Dress, Hat & Bootees in King Cole Cherish DK - 5966 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Cherish DK Pattern 5966 – Cardigan, Pinafore Dress, Hat and Bootees

Pattern 5966 from King Cole is a charming collection of four coordinating baby knits worked in King Cole Cherish DK yarn. The set includes a cardigan, a pinafore dress, a hat, and bootees, all designed to be knitted together as a complete outfit. Sizes range from 36 cm to 54 cm (14 to 21 inches), making the designs suitable for newborns through to older babies. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is available as a downloadable PDF. Notably, King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every pattern purchase.

Yarn and Needles

All four pieces in this set are worked in King Cole Cherish DK, a double knitting weight yarn. The recommended needle size is 4mm, and knitters are advised to check their tension carefully before beginning. The correct tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch. If your tension square produces fewer stitches or rows than stated, switch to finer needles; if it produces more, switch to larger needles. Taking the time to knit and measure a tension square is especially important with baby garments, where precise sizing is essential.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a small but versatile set of classic knitting stitches and techniques, making it accessible to knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to develop their skills further:

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the primary fabric stitch, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating a smooth, classic finish ideal for baby garments.
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric often used for borders, hems, and decorative bands.
• Increasing and decreasing – used for shaping armholes, necklines, hat crowns, and the tapered shaping of the bootees.
• Slipping stitches and passing slipped stitches over (psso) – a decrease technique that contributes to neat, directional shaping.
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – used to create small decorative eyelets, which are a common feature in baby knitting for threading ribbon or adding a delicate lacy detail.
• Pattern repeats – sections of the design are worked in repeating stitch sequences, encouraging knitters to read and follow a structured pattern rhythm.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a classic baby jacket designed to be practical and pretty. It is constructed using stocking stitch as the main body fabric, with garter stitch likely used for the button bands, cuffs, and lower borders to prevent curling and add a tidy finish. Shaping is achieved through increases and decreases at the armholes and neckline. The cardigan is sized from 36 cm to 54 cm, covering a useful range of baby sizes.

The Pinafore Dress

The pinafore dress — described in the pattern as a pinafore dress — is a sleeveless over-dress designed to layer beautifully over the cardigan or a bodysuit. Like the cardigan, it is worked primarily in stocking stitch, with shaping at the armholes and neckline. The pinafore silhouette is a timeless baby garment style, and when knitted in King Cole Cherish DK, it produces a soft, comfortable fabric suitable for sensitive baby skin.

The Hat

The hat is knitted to coordinate with the rest of the set. Baby hats in this style are typically worked flat or in the round, with stocking stitch forming the main body and garter stitch or a folded brim at the cast-on edge. Crown shaping is achieved through decreasing stitches in a structured sequence, drawing the fabric neatly to the top. The hat covers the same size range as the other pieces in the