Sweater, Hoodie, Trousers, Hats in King Cole Cotton Socks 4ply - 5880 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Cotton Socks 4ply Baby Set – Pattern 5880: Sweater, Hoodie, Trousers, and Hats

Pattern 5880 from King Cole is a comprehensive baby set knitting pattern worked in King Cole Cotton Socks 4ply yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this downloadable PDF covers multiple garments sized to fit babies and toddlers with chest measurements ranging from 36 to 56 cm (14 to 22 inches), making it a versatile collection that grows with a young child. Each purchase of this King Cole pattern also contributes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Garments Included in This Pattern

Sweater

The sweater is a classic baby jumper knitted in a combination of a main yarn (M) and two contrast colours (A and B), creating a neat stripe sequence of 8 rows in M followed by 4 rows in A. This stripe pattern adds visual interest while remaining straightforward to execute. The sweater features a structured ribbed hem and cuffs, set-in sleeves, and shaped back neck and shoulder sections, giving it a neat, fitted finish appropriate for everyday baby wear.

• Back and Front: Worked flat from the cast-on edge upward, with ribbing at the lower edge before transitioning into stocking stitch with stripe detailing.
• Sleeves: Cast on separately and worked in rib before continuing in the stripe pattern, with shaping worked through increases to achieve the correct sleeve taper.
• Neck Shaping: The back neck is shaped by placing stitches onto a holder and working each shoulder side separately, with a final cast-off of the remaining shoulder stitches.

Hoodie

The hoodie is a practical and cosy option for cooler days, incorporating the same 4ply weight yarn and stripe construction as the sweater but with the addition of a hood. The hood is a popular feature in baby knitwear as it provides extra warmth without the need for a separate hat. Like the sweater, the hoodie uses the two-colour stripe sequence and ribbed edgings for a tidy, professional finish.

Trousers

The pattern also includes a pair of baby trousers or leggings to complete the outfit. Knitted to coordinate with the sweater and hoodie, these trousers are sized to match the same chest/body measurements, ensuring a cohesive look across the full set. Ribbing is used at the waistband and ankle cuffs to provide stretch and a comfortable fit for active babies and toddlers.

Hats

One or more hat designs are included in the pattern to round out the baby set. Hats knitted in 4ply yarn on 3mm and 3.25mm needles work up quickly and make excellent standalone projects or thoughtful additions to a handmade gift set. The hats coordinate with the stripe and colour scheme used across the other garments in the collection.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern draws on a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to develop their skills further.

Key Stitches

• Stocking Stitch (st-st): The primary fabric stitch used throughout all garments — knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — producing a smooth, classic finish ideal for baby garments.
• Garter Stitch (gst): Every row knitted, creating a ridged, reversible fabric used for edgings and decorative details.
• Rib (K1, P1): A two-row repeating rib pattern used for all welts, cuffs, and neckbands. The first row works K1, P1 to the end; the second row mirrors this with P1, K1. Ribbing provides elasticity and helps garments retain their shape at the edges.
• Stripe Pattern: Colour is changed on a regular sequence — 8 rows in M, 4 rows in A — to create the stripe effect. Managing yarn at the side edges and carrying colours up the work neatly is an important intermediate skill practised here.

Key Techniques