Sweaters in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK & Cottonsoft DK - 5121pdf - Downloadable PDF

Sweaters in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK & Cottonsoft DK – Pattern 5121

Pattern 5121 from King Cole is a collection of knitted sweaters designed for a wide range of adult sizes, spanning 81 cm to 127 cm (32 in to 50 in) chest measurements, making it an inclusive pattern that accommodates both standard and larger sizes. The designs are worked in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK and King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarns, both lightweight double knit weight cotton-blend yarns known for their soft handle and excellent stitch definition. This is a downloadable PDF pattern, and as with all King Cole patterns, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every purchase.

Designs Included

Sweater with Striped Sleeves

One of the featured designs incorporates striped sleeves, adding a colourwork element to the garment through simple colour changes rather than complex intarsia or Fair Isle techniques. The body and sleeves are worked separately and then joined, following a classic sweater construction method suited to intermediate-level knitters.

One Colour Sweater

A second design is offered as a one colour sweater, worked entirely in a single shade throughout, including the sleeves. The pattern notes explicitly state: "Work as given for Sweater with Striped Sleeves but using same colour throughout." This makes it an ideal choice for knitters who prefer a more uniform aesthetic or wish to showcase a single colourway of Cottonsoft Candy DK or Cottonsoft DK.

Key Features and Stitch Detail

Both sweater designs feature a striking cable panel as a central design element. The cable panel is 14 stitches wide and measures 6 cm in width when worked to the correct tension. This panel incorporates a combination of classic cable and crossing stitches that create a textured, rope-like effect against a background of reverse stocking stitch and stocking stitch sections.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric stitch used throughout the body and sleeves
• Reverse stocking stitch – used as a background to frame the cable panel, worked by purling on right-side rows
• C6B (Cable 6 Back) – slip next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at back of work, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle; creates a right-leaning rope cable
• C6F (Cable 6 Front) – slip next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at front of work, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle; creates a left-leaning rope cable
• Cr4R (Cross 4 Right) – slip next stitch onto a cable needle and leave at back, knit 3, then purl 1 from the cable needle; used to create diagonal movement within the cable panel
• Cr4L (Cross 4 Left) – slip next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at front, purl 1, then knit 3 from the cable needle; the mirror image of Cr4R
• Increases and decreases – standard shaping techniques used throughout for armhole, sleeve, and neckline shaping

Techniques Used

The pattern employs a range of intermediate knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their skills beyond basic garment construction. The use of a cable needle is required for all cable and crossing stitches, and knitters should be comfortable with holding stitches at both the front and back of the work simultaneously.

• Cable knitting – working C6B and C6F to produce a classic six-stitch rope cable
• Travelling stitches – using Cr4R and Cr4L to move knit stitches diagonally across a purl background, creating movement and texture within the panel
• Garment shaping – increases and decreases are used to shape the armholes, sleeves, and neckline