Cardigans, Waistcoat & Hat in King Cole Melody DK - 4675 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans, Waistcoat & Hat Knitted in King Cole Melody DK – Pattern 4675

This King Cole pattern 4675 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering instructions for multiple baby and toddler garments: cardigans, a waistcoat, and a hat. Designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 31 cm to 51 cm (12 to 20 inches), the pattern covers a generous range of sizes suitable for newborns through to toddlers. The pattern is rated advanced in difficulty, making it best suited to knitters who are comfortable working with shaping, multiple garment pieces, and more complex construction techniques.

King Cole also donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every pattern purchase, so buying this pattern supports a charitable cause alongside your crafting.

Yarn and Materials

All garments in this pattern are designed to be knitted in King Cole Melody DK, a double knit weight yarn. The Melody DK yarn from King Cole is known for its soft handle and its gently variegated or self-striping colour effects, which add visual interest to simple stitch patterns without requiring any additional colour-work techniques from the knitter. This makes it a particularly appealing choice for baby garments, where softness and easy-care properties are important.

• Yarn: King Cole Melody DK
• Weight: Double Knit (DK)
• Recommended Needles: 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct tension

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is described in the pattern as essential. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size accordingly: if fewer stitches than stated are achieved over 10 cm, a finer needle should be used; if more stitches are achieved, a larger needle is required. Getting tension right is especially important when knitting garments for babies and small children, where fit is critical.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern makes use of a range of classic knitting stitches and techniques appropriate to garment construction at an advanced level. The following are referenced within the pattern:

• Stocking Stitch: The primary fabric stitch used throughout the garments, formed by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. It creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for showcasing the colour effects of the King Cole Melody DK yarn.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The two foundational stitches used across all pieces.
• Increasing (inc) and Decreasing (dec): Shaping techniques used to form armholes, necklines, sleeve tapers, and other fitted elements across the cardigans, waistcoat, and hat.
• Slip Stitch (sl): Stitches slipped knitways as part of decrease techniques, including psso (pass slipped stitch over), which is commonly used for left-leaning decreases in garment shaping.
• Yarn Forward (yfwd), Yarn Over Needle (yon), Yarn Round Needle (yrn): Techniques used to create yarn-over increases, which may feature in decorative detailing or buttonhole construction.
• Working in Pattern (patt): Maintaining established stitch patterns while simultaneously working shaping rows.
• Right Side (rs) and Wrong Side (ws) Working: The pattern distinguishes between right-side and wrong-side rows throughout, which is standard practice in garment knitting to ensure correct fabric orientation and shaping direction.
• Alternating Rows (alt): Shaping is worked on alternate rows in several sections, a common technique for gradual, neat increases or decreases.

The Cardigans

The pattern includes instructions for cardigans sized to fit chest measurements from 31 cm to 51 cm. Cardigans at this level of construction typically involve knitting separate pieces — a back, two fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. Button bands or borders are usually worked as part of the front edges, and neckline sh