Tops in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK & Cottonsoft DK - 5122pdf - Downloadable PDF

Tops Knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK and Cottonsoft DK – Pattern 5122

Pattern 5122 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern for a short sleeved top designed for children, sized to fit chest measurements of 56–76 cm (22–30 inches). Rated as an intermediate knitting project, this design is worked in double knit (DK) weight yarn and makes a charming warm-weather garment suitable for everyday wear. The pattern is knitted in two complementary King Cole yarns — Cottonsoft Candy DK and Cottonsoft DK — which are cotton-rich blends known for their soft handle and breathability, making them ideal for children's tops.

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What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a short sleeved top with a shaped neckline, set-in sleeves, and neat garter stitch borders. The garment is constructed in separate pieces — a Back and a Front — which are then sewn together, with sleeves folded in half lengthways and sewn into position at the shoulder seams. A neckband is picked up and worked around the neck opening to give a tidy, finished edge. The design is sized across five chest sizes from 56 cm to 76 cm, making it suitable for a range of children's ages.

Yarn and Materials

• King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK — used as the contrast colour (referred to in the pattern as C), this yarn provides a soft, candy-toned palette ideal for children's knitwear.
• King Cole Cottonsoft DK — used as the main colour (referred to as M), this is a smooth, lightweight DK yarn with a cotton-rich composition that gives the finished top a comfortable, breathable quality.
• Needles: 3¼ mm needles are used for the cast-on borders and garter stitch edgings, while 4 mm needles are used for the main body and sleeves in stocking stitch.

Tension

The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 4 mm needles. As with all knitting patterns, checking tension before beginning is essential — if fewer stitches are achieved, thinner needles should be used; if more stitches result, thicker needles are recommended.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast-on — used to begin the Back and other pieces, giving a neat, elastic lower edge.
• Colour change — the contrast colour C (Cottonsoft Candy DK) is used for the cast-on border rows, after which it is broken off and the main colour M (Cottonsoft DK) is joined for the body of the garment.
• Armhole shaping — worked by decreasing stitches at each end of rows to create a neat armhole curve.
• Neck shaping — stitches are divided at the front neck, with one side worked at a time; stitches are decreased at the neck edge over several rows to create a shaped neckline.
• Stitch holder usage — remaining stitches are placed on stitch holders at both the front and back neck while the other sections are worked, a common intermediate technique for managing live stitches.
• Picking up stitches — stitches are picked up evenly around the neckline to work the neckband, including picking up stitches down and up the sides of the back neck and knitting across held stitches.
• Making up / seaming — the finished pieces are joined at the left shoulder and neckband seam, sleeves are folded and sewn into the armholes, and side and sleeve seams are joined.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (g-st) — formed by knitting every row; used for the cast-on border at the lower edges and for