Raglan Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Big Value Aran - 4920 - Downloadable PDF

Raglan Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Big Value Aran – Pattern 4920

Pattern 4920 from King Cole is a classic knitting pattern offering two distinct garments: a raglan sweater and a raglan cardigan, both worked in King Cole Big Value Aran yarn. The pattern is sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 36 cm to 56 cm (14 in to 22 in), making it suitable for babies and young children. Rated as advanced in difficulty, this pattern is ideal for experienced knitters looking to practise fully fashioned raglan shaping and cable techniques. It is available as a downloadable PDF, so you can begin your project immediately after purchase.

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What Is Being Made

The pattern covers two garments in the same yarn and needle combination:

• Raglan Sweater – A classic pullover with a raglan sleeve construction, worked in stocking stitch with cable detailing along the raglan seam lines and a centre cable panel.
• Raglan Cardigan – An open-fronted cardigan sharing the same raglan sleeve structure and decorative cable features, offering a versatile alternative to the sweater for layering.

Both garments feature raglan sleeve shaping, which means the sleeves and body are joined diagonally from the underarm to the neckline rather than at a traditional set-in shoulder seam. This creates a smooth, fitted silhouette and is a hallmark of classic knitwear construction. The raglan shaping in this pattern is described as fully fashioned, meaning the decreases are worked deliberately as a visible design feature rather than being hidden within the seam allowance.

Techniques Used

This is an advanced knitting pattern that brings together several techniques requiring confidence and experience:

• Fully fashioned raglan shaping – Decreases are worked a set number of stitches in from the edge, creating a neat, decorative line that is integral to the garment's aesthetic. The pattern notes that raglans are worked at a specific row tension of 26 rows to 10 cm (4 in) due to the fully fashioned nature of the shaping.
• Cable knitting – Both a Centre Cable and Raglan Cables are incorporated. The centre cable is worked with 4 extra stitches, while each raglan cable is worked with 2 extra stitches per cable. These cables add texture and structure to the garments.
• Stitch holder usage – Stitches are placed on holders during raglan and neckline shaping, requiring the knitter to manage multiple sections of live stitches simultaneously.
• Tension management – The pattern emphasises that achieving the correct tension is essential. The main tension is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 5 mm needles, with a separate tension measurement for the raglan sections.
• Shaping with multiple decrease methods – The pattern uses a variety of decrease techniques including K2tog, sl1, K1, psso, K3tog, P2tog, P3tog, and patt3tog, demanding a thorough understanding of directional decreasing.
• Make One (M1) increases – Used to add stitches neatly by picking up the loop between stitches and working into the back of it to avoid a hole.

Stitches Used

The pattern calls upon a combination of foundational and decorative stitch patterns:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – The primary fabric of both garments, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This creates a smooth, classic knitted fabric.
• 1x1 Rib – Used for borders and welts, this stitch alternates knit and purl stitches across the row to create an elastic, structured edge. It is worked on 4 mm needles to give a tighter, neater finish than the main fabric