Cardigan and Sweater in King Cole Big Value Tweed DK - 5710 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Big Value Tweed DK Cardigan and Sweater – Pattern 5710

Pattern 5710 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic knitwear designs: a sweater and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole Big Value Tweed DK yarn. The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, from 81 cm to 127 cm (32 in to 50 in) chest, making it suitable for a broad range of adult figures. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to tackle cable techniques and multi-stitch panels.

For every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

About the Designs

The Sweater

The sweater is a structured, textured pullover featuring a combination of stocking stitch, reversed stocking stitch, 2x2 rib, and a prominent cable panel. The cable panel, which measures approximately 7 cm (2¾ in) in width and spans 22 stitches, runs as a central decorative feature and gives the garment a classic, tactile quality. The front is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a ribbed hem worked over 24 rows on 3.25mm needles, before transitioning to the main body on 4mm needles.

The construction includes standard set-in shoulder shaping with cast-off rows and decrease rows worked at each side to create a neat, fitted shoulder seam. The cable panel is flanked by areas of reversed stocking stitch and rib sections, creating a rich, layered texture across the front of the garment.

The Cardigan

The cardigan shares the same yarn, needle sizes, and core stitch vocabulary as the sweater, incorporating 2x2 rib, stocking stitch, and cable detailing into an open-fronted design. Like the sweater, it is worked in pieces and seamed, following the same tension requirements and size range of 81–127 cm (32–50 in).

Techniques and Stitches Used

Stitch Patterns

• 2x2 Rib: Worked as knit 2, purl 2 throughout, used for the welts and cuffs to provide elasticity and a neat, professional finish.
• Stocking Stitch: The classic knit on right side, purl on wrong side fabric, used for the main body sections.
• Reversed Stocking Stitch: Purl on the right side and knit on the wrong side, used to frame the cable panel and add textural contrast.
• Cable Panel (22 stitches): A structured panel incorporating both C6F (cable 6 front) and C6B (cable 6 back) crossings, creating a classic rope or plait cable effect.

Cable Abbreviations Explained

• C6F: Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 3 from the left needle, then knit 3 from the cable needle. This creates a left-leaning cable cross.
• C6B: Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 3 from the left needle, then knit 3 from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable cross.

Shaping Techniques

• Shoulder shaping is achieved through cast-off rows combined with decrease stitches (P2tog and K2tog) worked at the ends of rows to create a gradual, angled slope.
• M1 (Make One): An increase worked by picking up the loop between the last and next stitch and knitting into the back of it to avoid a hole — a neat, nearly invisible increase used in shaping.