Waistcoat & Cardigan in King Cole Glitz Chunky - 4403 - Downloadable PDF

Pattern Summary: Waistcoat & Cardigan in King Cole Glitz Chunky (Pattern 4403)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for two stylish chunky-weight garments: a waistcoat and a cardigan. Both designs are worked in King Cole Glitz Chunky yarn, a yarn that combines warmth and texture with a touch of glamour, making these pieces ideal for cooler seasons or evening occasions. The pattern is rated as Easy Knit, placing it at an accessible intermediate level — suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques but looking to develop their skills with textured stitch patterns and simple shaping.

The pattern covers a generous range of sizes, from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it inclusive and adaptable for a wide variety of figures. Knitters are encouraged to circle their chosen size on the leaflet for easy reference throughout the project.

About the Waistcoat

The waistcoat is a sleeveless garment worked in a textured slip-stitch pattern that creates visual interest without requiring complex techniques. The fabric is built using a combination of knit and purl stitches arranged in a repeating sequence, with slip stitches worked purlways to add a subtle woven or elongated texture to the surface. This kind of slip-stitch construction is a popular choice in chunky knitwear because it creates a dense, structured fabric with excellent drape and body.

The waistcoat features both a Right Front and a Left Front, each worked separately and shaped individually. The stitch pattern is carefully mirrored across the two fronts, ensuring a neat and symmetrical finish at the centre. Rib or border sections are worked on smaller needles before transitioning to the main pattern on larger needles, a classic technique used to create neat, non-curling edges.

• Stitch pattern: Slip-stitch texture pattern combining knit, purl, and purlways slip stitches (s1p)
• Techniques: Separate front panel construction, stitch pattern mirroring, needle size changes for borders
• Shaping: Individual front shaping for a tailored, fitted silhouette

About the Cardigan

The cardigan is a more involved design that introduces cable knitting alongside the textured stitch work seen in the waistcoat. Cables are a classic knitting technique where stitches are crossed over one another using a cable needle (CN), creating a twisted, rope-like or plaited effect in the fabric. In this pattern, two specific cable crosses are used:

• C8B — a cable cross where 4 stitches are slipped to a cable needle and held at the back of the work, the next 4 stitches are knitted, and then the held stitches are knitted from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable twist.
• C8F — a cable cross where 4 stitches are slipped to a cable needle and held at the front of the work, the next 4 stitches are knitted, and then the held stitches are knitted from the cable needle. This creates a left-leaning cable twist.

These 8-stitch cables are a prominent feature of the cardigan's design, giving it a bold, chunky texture that is particularly well-suited to the weight and stitch definition of King Cole Glitz Chunky yarn. The combination of cables and textured stitch patterns creates a rich, layered fabric with plenty of visual depth.

Like the waistcoat, the cardigan is constructed with separate front panels — a Right Front and a Left Front — each worked with their own stitch pattern arrangements. The use of the M1 (Make One) increase technique is also specified, where a loop is picked up between the last and next stitch and worked through the back of the loop to avoid creating a hole. This is a neat, nearly invisible increase commonly used in garment shaping.

• Stitch pattern: Cable pattern using C8B and C8F, combined with knit and purl rib-style textures
• Techniques: Cable knitting with a cable needle, M1 increases, separate front panel construction, border rib