Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole DK - 4370 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole DK – Pattern 4370

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole includes instructions for two classic garments: a Cardigan and a Sweater, both knitted in King Cole DK yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 86 cm to 112 cm (34 in to 44 in), making it suitable for a broad range of adult sizes. Both garments feature elegant cable and texture detailing that elevates them beyond a basic knit, offering a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with standard shaping and cable techniques.

King Cole supports the Pink Ribbon Foundation through this pattern range, with a donation made for every pattern purchased.

Yarn and Materials

Both garments are worked in King Cole DK weight yarn. Knitters will require a set of 3.75mm needles for the ribbed welts and borders, and 4mm needles for the main body fabric. A cable needle is also essential for working the cable panel sections featured throughout both designs.

Tension

The pattern is worked to a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles. As with all garments, checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended. Knitting a tension square and adjusting needle size accordingly ensures the finished garment will match the intended measurements across all six sizes.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a structured, textured garment featuring a combination of ribbing, garter stitch, stocking stitch, and an intricate cable panel. The back begins with a cast-on of between 100 and 130 stitches depending on size, worked first in garter stitch for two rows before transitioning into a rib pattern for the welt. The main body fabric incorporates a richly detailed cable and twist panel repeated across the work.

The cable panel uses a combination of special cable stitches worked over multiple rows, creating a deeply textured, visually striking fabric. This type of cabling is a hallmark of traditional British knitwear design and gives the cardigan a timeless, heritage feel. The structured panel repeats are framed by sections of stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch, which help the cables stand out in sharp relief.

Techniques Used in the Cardigan

• Garter stitch – every row knit, used for the opening rows and borders
• Rib stitch – alternating knit and purl columns, used for welts and cuffs
• Stocking stitch – the foundation fabric for body panels
• Cable 4 Back (C4B) – slip 2 stitches to cable needle held at back, knit 2 from left needle, then knit 2 from cable needle; creates a right-leaning 4-stitch cable
• Cable 3 Back (C3B) – slip 1 stitch to cable needle held at back, knit 2 from left needle, then purl the stitch from cable needle; creates a right-leaning twist
• Cable 3 Front (C3F) – slip 2 stitches to cable needle held at front, purl 1 from left needle, then knit 2 from cable needle; creates a left-leaning twist
• Increasing and decreasing for armhole, neck, and front band shaping
• Slipping stitches as part of cable preparation
• Yarn round needle (yrn) for decorative or constructional purposes

The Sweater

The sweater included in pattern 4370 is a companion design to the cardigan, sharing the same yarn weight, needle sizes, and tension requirements. Like the cardigan, it is constructed in King Cole DK and features the same range of sizes from 86 cm to 112 cm. The sweater is a pullover style, worked in pieces and seamed, with the same intermediate level of complexity. It draws on the same vocabulary of cable and texture stitches, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic between the two garments when