Cardigan and Sweater in King Cole Authentic DK - 4129 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan and Sweater in King Cole Authentic DK – Pattern 4129

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole includes instructions for two classic knitwear designs: a Cardigan and a Sweater (jumper), both knitted in King Cole Authentic DK yarn. The pattern is rated advanced in difficulty and is suitable for experienced knitters who are comfortable working with shaping, textured stitch patterns, and raglan construction. Sizes range from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it a versatile pattern covering a wide range of adult chest measurements.

About the Yarn and Materials

Both garments are designed to be worked in King Cole Authentic DK, a double knitting weight yarn. DK (double knitting) weight yarn is one of the most popular yarn weights in the UK, sitting between 4-ply and Aran in terms of thickness. It produces a fabric that is lightweight yet warm, making it ideal for cardigans and sweaters intended for year-round wear. Knitters will need knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn; the pattern specifies tension details to ensure the correct gauge is achieved before beginning the project.

Tension and Gauge

As with all garments, achieving the correct tension is critical to ensuring the finished pieces match the intended measurements. The pattern includes a tension section that knitters should check carefully before casting on, particularly given the combination of stitch patterns used throughout both designs.

Design One: The Cardigan

The cardigan is a structured, shaped garment featuring a raglan silhouette, one of the most elegant and timeless construction methods in knitwear design. In raglan construction, the sleeves and body are shaped simultaneously so that the sleeve head and armhole form a continuous diagonal seam running from the underarm to the neckline. This creates a smooth, comfortable fit across the shoulder and is a hallmark of classic knitwear craftsmanship.

Construction and Shaping

The cardigan is worked in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. The back forms the foundation of the garment, with shaping worked at regular intervals to create the raglan armhole. Increases are worked at each end of the 5th and every following 9th, 8th, 8th, 6th, or 6th row (depending on the size being knitted), with the increased stitches incorporated into the Textured Pattern. Stitch counts vary by size, reaching totals such as 67, 73, 79, 87, or 93 stitches at key shaping points.

The raglan shaping involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows — for example, casting off 5 or 6 stitches in pattern at the beginning of the next two rows — followed by further decreasing to form the characteristic diagonal raglan line. The pattern uses the abbreviation psso (pass slipped stitch over) as part of the decrease method, a standard technique in advanced knitting that creates a neat, left-leaning decrease.

Front Bands and Finishing

The cardigan features a front band worked in 1x1 rib, with stitches picked up along the front edge. The pattern specifies picking up 113, 121, or 127 stitches evenly along the front edge and an additional 14 stitches along the rib section, giving totals of 119, 125, 133, 141, or 147 stitches depending on size. The rib band is worked over 7 rows before being cast off in rib for a neat, professional finish. A final row of knitting and a P2tog (purl two together) decrease are used at specific points to shape and close off sections cleanly.

Design Two: The Sweater

The sweater (jumper) shares the same foundational construction as the cardigan, with the back worked identically to the cardigan back up to a marked point in the pattern (indicated as **). This shared construction makes the pattern efficient and logical for knitters who wish to make both garments, as the back pieces are interchangeable up to the armhole shaping stage.

Like the cardigan, the sweater features raglan armhole shaping and