Cardigans & Waistcoat in King Cole Comfort DK & Comfort Prints DK - 4622 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole 4622 – Cardigans & Waistcoat Knitting Pattern in Comfort DK & Comfort Prints DK

King Cole pattern 4622 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed for babies and young children, covering chest sizes from 31 cm to 51 cm (12 to 20 inches). The pattern includes instructions for multiple garments — a selection of cardigans and a waistcoat — all worked in a classic raglan sleeve construction. This makes the pattern a versatile choice for knitters who want to build a coordinated wardrobe of knitwear for little ones, from newborn through toddler sizes.

Garments Included

• Cardigans with Raglan Sleeves: These are worked in pieces and seamed, featuring the signature raglan shaping that creates a smooth, angled armhole and sleeve join. Raglan construction is a popular choice for children's knitwear as it provides a comfortable, flexible fit and eliminates the need for a set-in sleeve. The cardigans are sized to fit chest measurements from 31 cm to 51 cm.
• Waistcoat: A sleeveless version that shares the same overall aesthetic and sizing range, offering a lighter layering option. The waistcoat is ideal for transitional weather or as a stylish layer over a long-sleeved top.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping — a classic construction method where the sleeve and body are shaped simultaneously with diagonal decrease lines running from the underarm to the neckline.
• Increasing and decreasing — used throughout for shaping the raglan lines, neckline, and sleeve head.
• Slipping stitches — the pattern uses a slip-one stitch knitways technique, noted in the abbreviations as s1.
• Passing slipped stitches over (psso) — used in combination with slip stitches to create neat, directional decreases.
• Yarn forward (yfwd) — used to create decorative effects or buttonholes.
• Working to tension — the pattern places strong emphasis on achieving the stated tension before beginning, which is especially important across the range of small sizes included.

Stitches Used

• Stocking Stitch (St-st) — the primary fabric stitch, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. This creates a smooth, classic knitted fabric that is ideal for baby garments.
• 1x1 Rib — a simple alternating knit one, purl one ribbing stitch used for borders, cuffs, and hems. Ribbing provides stretch and a neat, tidy edge that lies flat without curling.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — the two fundamental knitting stitches that form the basis of all the fabric in this pattern.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is specifically written for King Cole Comfort DK and King Cole Comfort Prints DK, both of which are double knit (DK) weight yarns. These yarns are well suited to baby and children's knitwear, offering a soft handle that is gentle against delicate skin. The Comfort Prints DK variant introduces self-striping or printed colour effects, allowing knitters to add visual interest without the need for complex colourwork techniques.

• Yarn Weight: DK (double knit)
• Recommended Needle Size: 4mm (US 6) needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct tension
• Stated Tension: 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch and pattern using 4mm needles

Difficulty Level and Suitability

This pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with basic shaping techniques including increases, decreases, and working with multiple pieces before seaming. The raglan construction, while straightforward once understood, does require