Cardigans and Gilet in King Cole Melody DK - 5142 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans and Gilet in King Cole Melody DK – Pattern 5142

This King Cole pattern 5142 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering three children's designs: two cardigans and a gilet (sleeveless cardigan), all knitted in King Cole Melody DK yarn. The designs are sized for babies and young children from 6 months to 6 years, covering chest sizes of 46–61 cm (18–24 inches). All three garments feature a classic raglan sleeve construction, making this pattern a versatile and practical addition to any children's knitwear collection. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping and following a structured stitch pattern.

Designs Included

Raglan Sleeve Cardigans

The two cardigans in this pattern are worked with raglan sleeve shaping, a technique where the sleeves and body are joined and decreased simultaneously from the underarm to the neckline, creating a smooth, diagonal seam line rather than a traditional set-in shoulder. This construction is particularly popular for children's garments as it provides a comfortable, flexible fit with minimal bulk at the shoulders. The cardigans are worked in a stitch pattern (referred to throughout as patt in the abbreviations), giving the fabric texture and visual interest beyond simple stocking stitch.

Raglan Sleeve Gilet

The gilet is a sleeveless, open-fronted waistcoat-style garment that shares the same raglan shaping principles as the cardigans, adapted for a sleeveless silhouette. Gilets are a practical layering piece for children, offering warmth to the core without restricting arm movement. Like the cardigans, it is worked in the same stitch pattern and benefits from the same neat raglan lines at the armhole edges.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping – simultaneous decreasing across body and sleeve pieces to form the characteristic diagonal raglan lines
• Increasing and decreasing – used throughout for shaping armholes, necklines, and sleeve heads
• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the right side is knitted and the wrong side is purled, forming the smooth, classic fabric used in many areas of the garments
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, typically used for borders, cuffs, and button bands to create a firm, non-curling edge
• Pattern stitch (patt) – a textured stitch pattern worked across the main body fabric, adding decorative detail to the garments
• Slipping stitches and passing slipped stitches over (psso) – a decrease technique used in shaping
• Yarn round needle (yrn) – used to create yarn-over increases, which may contribute to lace or eyelet detailing within the stitch pattern

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – the two fundamental knitting stitches forming the basis of all fabric in the pattern
• Stocking stitch (st-st) – knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, used for edgings and borders
• Yarn round needle (yrn) – creates a decorative or functional increase stitch
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) – a left-leaning decrease stitch
• Knitting two stitches together (tog) – a right-leaning decrease used in shaping

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 21 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the stitch pattern using 4 mm needles. As with all knitting patterns, it is strongly recommended to knit a tension square before beginning the garment. If your tension square produces fewer stitches or rows than stated, switch to finer needles; if it produces more, switch to larger needles. Achieving the correct tension is especially important in children's garments to ensure the