Sweater, Cardigan and Hats Knitted in King Cole Drifter For Baby - 5846 - Downloadable PDF

Sweater, Cardigan and Hats Knitted in King Cole Drifter For Baby – Pattern 5846

This King Cole pattern 5846 is a downloadable PDF featuring a collection of classic baby knitwear designs: a sweater, a cardigan, and hats. Sized to fit chest measurements of 41–56 cm (16–22 inches), these designs are perfectly suited to newborns and young babies, making them ideal handmade gifts or wardrobe essentials for little ones.

About the Designs

The pattern set includes three distinct but coordinating projects, all worked in King Cole DK weight yarn. Knitting a matching set of sweater, cardigan, and hats gives crafters the opportunity to create a complete baby outfit or gift bundle using a single pattern booklet.

• Sweater: A classic pullover style designed for baby, worked in a straightforward construction suited to intermediate knitters.
• Cardigan: A front-opening baby cardigan, a timeless and practical design that is easy to put on and take off a young baby.
• Hats: One or more baby hat designs to complement the garments, providing a coordinated handknitted set.

Techniques and Construction

The patterns are rated as intermediate in difficulty, making them well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to develop their skills further. The construction follows traditional flat knitting methods, with pieces worked separately and then seamed together — a common and reliable approach for baby garments.

• Stocking stitch (st-st): The primary fabric stitch, worked by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, creating a smooth, classic finish ideal for baby clothing.
• Garter stitch (gst): Every row knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric often used for borders, hems, and hat brims to add texture and prevent curling.
• Increasing and decreasing: Shaping techniques used throughout to form armholes, necklines, sleeve caps, and hat crowns.
• Yarn forward (yfwd) and yarn over needle (yon): Techniques referenced in the abbreviations, typically used to create eyelets or decorative details, which may appear in lace-effect trims or buttonhole construction.
• Slip stitch (sl) and pass slipped stitch over (psso): Used in shaping and decorative decrease sequences.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – smooth knit fabric for the main body sections
• Garter stitch – textured all-knit fabric for edgings and borders
• Eyelets – decorative openwork details using yarn forward and yarn over needle techniques
• Standard decreases – including knit two together (tog) and pass slipped stitch over (psso) for shaping

Tension

The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. As with all knitting patterns, checking your tension swatch before beginning is strongly recommended. If your swatch produces fewer stitches or rows than stated, switch to finer needles; if it produces more, switch to larger needles. Correct tension is especially important in baby garments to ensure the finished size is accurate.

Materials

• Yarn: King Cole DK weight yarn — the pattern is specifically designed for double knit weight, offering a soft, lightweight fabric appropriate for baby skin.
• Needles: 4mm knitting needles are specified as the primary needle size for achieving the correct tension over stocking stitch.

Additional Notes

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing instant access after purchase. King Cole is a well-established British yarn and pattern brand with a long heritage in producing reliable, clearly written knitting patterns. For every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, meaning your purchase supports a charitable cause alongside your