Sweater & Slipover in King Cole Drifter DK - 4252 - Downloadable PDF

Sweater & Slipover in King Cole Drifter DK – Pattern 4252

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs for adults: a long-sleeved sweater and a sleeveless slipover. Both garments are worked in King Cole Drifter DK yarn, a popular double knit weight yarn known for its subtle tonal and variegated colour effects. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with standard shaping techniques and are ready to refine their garment-making skills. Sizes range from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in) chest, offering a broad fit range for a variety of body types.

King Cole also notes that for every pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

The Sweater

The sweater is a traditional, fully fitted knitted garment featuring long sleeves and classic construction. As a staple of hand-knitting design, a sweater of this type typically includes a front, back, and two sleeves that are seamed together upon completion. The King Cole Drifter DK yarn lends the finished piece a beautiful, softly blended appearance, as the yarn's tonal qualities create gentle colour gradients without the need for complex colourwork techniques.

Techniques Used in the Sweater

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric of the sweater, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Shaping – including increases and decreases to form armholes, necklines, and sleeve tapers
• Seaming – joining front, back, and sleeve pieces to complete the garment
• Tension management – the pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 4 mm (US 6) needles, and knitters are advised to work a tension square before beginning

Stitches Used in the Sweater

• Knit (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout
• Purl (P) – used on wrong-side rows to create stocking stitch fabric
• Slip stitch (sl) – used in shaping sequences
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) – a decrease technique used in shaping
• Knit/Purl through back of loop (tbl) – used for twisted stitches where specified
• Standard increases (inc) and decreases (dec) for garment shaping

The Slipover

The slipover is a sleeveless pullover — a versatile and timeless knitwear piece that can be worn over a shirt or blouse for a smart, layered look, or on its own as a lightweight top during warmer months. Like the sweater, it is worked in King Cole Drifter DK and shares the same size range of 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in). The absence of sleeves makes this a somewhat quicker project than the full sweater, while still requiring careful attention to armhole and neckline shaping to achieve a neat, professional finish.

Techniques Used in the Slipover

• Stocking stitch – the main body fabric, consistent with the sweater design
• Armhole and neckline shaping – using decreases to create clean, fitted edges at the shoulders and neck
• Ribbing or edging – typically applied around the armholes and neckline for a tidy, stretch-resistant finish (standard practice for slipovers of this construction)
• Seaming – joining front and back pieces at the shoulders and sides

Stitches Used in the Slipover