Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Splash DK - 4246 - Downloadable PDF

Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Splash DK – Pattern 4246

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole includes instructions for two classic children's garments: a pullover sweater and a cardigan. Designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 51 to 76 cm (20 to 30 inches), the pattern is suitable for intermediate knitters and produces charming, textured knitwear worked in the popular King Cole Splash DK yarn.

About the Designs

The Pullover Sweater

The sweater is a traditional over-the-head style garment sized for children across a broad range of chest measurements. The use of King Cole Splash DK yarn gives the finished piece a lively, multicoloured appearance without the knitter needing to manage multiple yarn colours manually — the yarn does the work, creating a naturally variegated, splashed effect across the fabric. The sweater is constructed using classic shaping techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level.

The Cardigan

The cardigan version of the design shares the same yarn and overall aesthetic as the sweater but features an open front, making it an easy-to-wear layering piece for children. Like the sweater, it is worked in King Cole Splash DK and benefits from the yarn's self-patterning colour effect. The cardigan is shaped using standard knitting increases and decreases, with button bands and front opening finishing details typical of a classic children's cardigan construction.

Techniques Used

Both garments in this pattern are worked using a combination of well-established knitting techniques. Knitters will use increasing and decreasing to shape the body, sleeves, and armholes. The pattern also incorporates moss stitch and double moss stitch as textural stitch patterns, adding surface interest and a professional finish to the garments. 1x1 rib is used, typically for cuffs, neckbands, and hem edges, providing the elasticity needed for a neat, fitted finish at these key points.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the foundational stitch of all knitted fabric
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and ribbing
• 1x1 Rib – alternating knit and purl stitches across a row, creating a stretchy, elastic fabric ideal for borders and cuffs
• Moss Stitch – a classic textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific offset pattern, producing a firm, non-curling fabric with a pebbly surface
• Double Moss Stitch – a variation of moss stitch worked over a larger repeat, creating a similar but slightly bolder textured effect
• Slip stitch (sl1) – used in decrease techniques such as slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (psso)
• Decrease stitches including psso (pass slipped stitch over) and knit two together (k2tog) for shaping

Materials

Yarn

Both garments are knitted in King Cole Splash DK, a double knit weight yarn. This yarn is well known for its vibrant, multicoloured self-patterning effect, which creates a playful splashed appearance in the finished fabric — making it particularly well suited to children's knitwear. The DK weight makes it a versatile and relatively quick yarn to work with.

Needles

The pattern specifies 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles as the recommended needle size. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over double moss stitch using 4mm needles. As with all knitting patterns, knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly — moving to a finer needle if too few stitches are achieved per 10 cm, or a larger needle if too many stitches are achieved.

Pattern Format and Sizing