Chevron Cardigan & Waistcoat in King Cole Bamboo DK - 5380pdf - Downloadable PDF

Chevron Cardigan & Waistcoat in King Cole Bamboo DK – Pattern 5380

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs: a Chevron Cardigan and a Chevron Waistcoat, both knitted in King Cole Bamboo DK yarn. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is suitable for knitters who are comfortable working with stitch patterns beyond basic knit and purl. Sizes range from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it accessible across a broad range of adult sizes.

A notable feature of this pattern is that King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern purchased, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

The Chevron Cardigan

The cardigan is a full-length-sleeved garment featuring a striking chevron stitch pattern as its central design element. Chevron knitting creates a bold zigzag visual effect across the fabric, achieved through a structured sequence of increases and decreases worked across each right-side row. This gives the finished fabric a dynamic, geometric appearance that elevates the cardigan beyond a straightforward wardrobe staple.

Techniques Used

• Chevron pattern: The signature zigzag texture is formed by combining increases and decreases at regular intervals across the row, producing the characteristic wave or arrow-point effect in the knitted fabric.
• Stocking stitch (St-St): Used in sections of the garment for smooth, flat fabric panels, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side.
• 1x1 Rib: A classic ribbing technique alternating single knit and purl stitches, typically used at cuffs, hems, and button bands to create a stretchy, neat edge.
• Shaping techniques: Including decreasing (dec) and increasing (inc), as well as the specific increase kfb (knit into the front and back of a stitch), used to shape armholes, necklines, and side seams.
• Slip stitch decreases: The abbreviation s1, psso (slip one stitch knitways, pass slipped stitch over) is used within the chevron pattern to create neat, directional decreases that contribute to the zigzag shaping.
• Working through the back of the loop (tbl): Used to create twisted stitches where specified, adding definition to certain stitch sequences.
• Right side and wrong side construction: The pattern distinguishes clearly between rs (right side) and ws (wrong side) rows, important for maintaining the integrity of the chevron pattern.

Stitches Used

• Chevron pattern stitch – the primary decorative stitch throughout the body
• Stocking stitch – for smooth fabric sections
• 1x1 Rib – for borders, cuffs, and edgings

Materials

• Yarn: King Cole Bamboo DK – a DK-weight yarn with a bamboo fibre content, known for its natural softness, subtle sheen, and breathability, making it well-suited to a layering garment like a cardigan.
• Needles: 4mm knitting needles, or the size required to achieve the correct tension.
• Tension: 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch, and 24 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm over the chevron pattern, both using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential, particularly because the chevron and stocking stitch sections have different stitch and row gauges.

The Chevron Waistcoat

The waistcoat is a sleeveless version of the chevron design, sharing the same core stitch pattern and construction approach as the cardigan but offering a lighter, more versatile garment ideal for layering over shirts or blouses. It covers