Long & Short Sleeved Cardigans in King Cole Cottonsoft DK - 5129pdf - Downloadable PDF

Long & Short Sleeved Cardigans in King Cole Cottonsoft DK – Pattern 5129

This knitting pattern from King Cole (pattern number 5129) provides instructions for two classic children's cardigans: one with long sleeves and one with short sleeves. Both designs are worked in King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarn and are sized to fit chest measurements of 56–76 cm (22–30 inches), making them suitable for babies and young children across a range of ages. The pattern is described as Easy Knit, placing it at an accessible level for knitters with some prior experience, and it is available as a downloadable PDF.

Purchasing this pattern also contributes to a charitable cause, as King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern sold.

About the Yarn: King Cole Cottonsoft DK

Both cardigans are knitted using King Cole Cottonsoft DK, a double knit (DK) weight yarn. Cottonsoft is a popular choice for children's garments due to its soft handle and breathability, making it comfortable against delicate skin. A DK weight yarn strikes a practical balance between knitting speed and stitch definition, ideal for showcasing the lace and stocking stitch details featured in these designs.

Needles Required

• 4mm knitting needles are used for the main body and sleeves, worked in stocking stitch and lace pattern
• A finer needle is recommended if your tension produces fewer stitches than stated; a larger needle if you produce more stitches

Tension

The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over pattern and stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is described as essential, and the pattern advises knitters to adjust needle size accordingly before casting on.

Design 1: Long Sleeved Cardigan

The long sleeved version of this cardigan is a timeless layering piece for children. The body and sleeves are worked in a combination of stocking stitch and a delicate eyelet lace pattern, giving the garment a pretty, decorative texture without being overly complex to execute.

Construction and Shaping

• The cardigan is worked in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together
• Shoulder seams are joined before the border is picked up and worked
• Armhole shaping is achieved by decreasing one stitch at each end on alternate rows, a standard raglan or set-in sleeve technique that creates a neat, fitted armhole
• Back neck stitches are indicated with markers placed at each end of the centre stitches to define the neck opening
• Sleeve tops are shaped after the main sleeve length is complete, with stitches cast off to finish

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (st-st): knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows — forms the smooth main fabric of the cardigan
• Eyelet lace pattern: created using yarn forward (yfwd), slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (s1, K1, psso), and knit two together (K2tog) to form decorative holes and directional decreases across multiple pattern rows
• Decreasing: both K2tog (knit two together) and s1, K1, psso are used, giving left-leaning and right-leaning decreases for balanced shaping
• Increasing: used during sleeve shaping to build width from cuff to underarm
• Border: picked up with right side facing after shoulder seams are joined, worked to finish the front bands and neckline

Sleeve Construction

The long sleeves are