Cardigans and Hat in King Cole Cherished DK - 4198 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans and Hat in King Cole Cherished DK – Pattern 4198

This King Cole pattern 4198 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering designs for baby and children's cardigans and a matching hat, sized to fit chest measurements of 41–66 cm (16–26 inches), covering ages 0 to 7 years. Knitted in King Cole Cherished DK yarn, these designs combine classic construction with elegant textural detail, making them a rewarding project for intermediate knitters looking to create timeless handknitted garments for little ones.

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The Cardigans

The cardigan designs are the centrepiece of this pattern, worked in King Cole Cherished DK weight yarn. The construction incorporates a combination of classic knitted fabric and beautifully textured stitch panels, creating garments that are both visually interesting and practical for everyday wear.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – The primary fabric of the cardigans, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface on the right side.
• Basket stitch – Used at the side seam edges, this textured stitch pattern creates a woven, grid-like appearance and adds structural interest to the garment's sides.
• Cable stitch panels – A prominent feature of the cardigan design, worked as a centre back cable and st-st panel. Two specific cable techniques are used:
  • C8B (Cable 8 Back) – Slip the next 4 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at the back of the work, knit 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable twist.
  • C8F (Cable 8 Front) – Slip the next 4 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at the front of the work, creating a left-leaning cable twist for contrast and symmetry.
• Decreasing – Standard shaping techniques are employed throughout to shape armholes, necklines, and other fitted sections.
• Slip stitch techniques – Including sl 1, psso (pass slipped stitch over), used in shaping rows.

Construction Details

The cardigans are knitted flat in separate pieces and seamed together. The centre back cable and stocking stitch panel spans 52, 54, 54, 56, or 56 stitches depending on the size being worked, and measures approximately 16.5–18.5 cm (6½–7¼ inches) before armhole shaping begins. This structured approach ensures a well-fitted, tailored finish across all sizes.

Tension

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch
• 20 stitches and 29 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over basket stitch (at side seam edges)

Both tension measurements are achieved on 4 mm needles, or the needle size required to achieve the correct tension. As always with garments, achieving the stated tension is essential to ensure the finished cardigan matches the intended measurements across the size range.

The Hat

Accompanying the cardigans is a matching knitted hat, also worked in King Cole Cherished DK. The hat is designed to coordinate with the cardigans, likely incorporating complementary stitch details to create a cohesive handknitted set — ideal as a gift or as a complete outfit for a baby or young child.

Techniques and Stitches

• The hat is knitted using the same DK weight yarn and 4 mm needles, keeping materials consistent across the full pattern set.
• Construction is worked to complement the textural stitch vocabulary of the cardigans, making use of the same knitting techniques established throughout the pattern