Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK - 5749pdf - Downloadable PDF

Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK

What Is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a coordinating set of a sweater and cardigan, both designed in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK yarn. The pattern offers multiple size options to accommodate different fit preferences. Both garments feature classic construction with set-in sleeves, ribbed welts, and refined finishing details including neckbands and button closures on the cardigan.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential garment construction techniques. The pattern uses pick up and knit methods to create the neckband, which involves picking up stitches evenly along the neck edges after the main body pieces are complete. Seaming is used to join the side seams and sleeve seams together, creating a finished garment. The pattern also incorporates stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches at the back neck and front borders during construction, allowing for later pickup and integration into the neckband. Buttonhole placement is featured on the cardigan's front borders, with the pattern providing specific instructions for their positioning and construction.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure utilizes 1x1 ribbing, which creates the neckband and provides elasticity and definition to the garment edges. The ribbed construction is worked over 2 rows following the neckband pickup. The main body of both garments is worked in stockinette stitch, which is the standard foundation for smooth, classic sweater and cardigan designs. Purl stitch is referenced in the front border construction, indicating textural variation in the ribbed sections.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Hooks

This pattern is designed for King Cole Cottonsmooth DK yarn, a double knitting weight that offers a smooth finish and comfortable drape suitable for both sweaters and cardigans. The project requires 3.25mm knitting needles for working the main fabric and finishing details including the neckband and front borders. The pattern includes multiple size options, with stitch counts varying across sizes (examples include 123, 133, and 141 stitches for different sections depending on size selection). Buttons are required for the cardigan front closure, with the pattern providing guidance on button placement and sewing during the make-up stage.

Pattern Features

The make-up instructions detail the final assembly process, which includes folding sleeves in half lengthways and aligning the fold to the shoulder seam before sewing sleeves into position. Side and sleeve seams are joined using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques. The neckband is constructed by picking up stitches evenly around the neck opening, incorporating held stitches from the back neck and front borders, then working in 1x1 ribbing for a neat, finished edge. Buttons are sewn onto the cardigan after all seaming is complete, and the finished garment is pinned to actual size and left to dry for proper blocking and finishing.