Baby Cardigans in King Cole Baby DK - 4152 - Downloadable PDF

Baby Cardigans Knitting Pattern – King Cole Baby DK (Pattern 4152)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents a collection of charming baby cardigans worked in King Cole Baby DK yarn. The pattern covers a generous size range of 31–56 cm (12–22 inches) chest, making it suitable for newborns through to toddlers. Rated as an intermediate level project, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to tackle garment construction with multiple pieces and finishing details.

Designs Included

Round Neck Cardigan

One of the featured designs is a classic round neck cardigan, constructed in separate pieces and seamed together. The body and sleeves are worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) throughout, giving the finished garment a smooth, clean fabric that is both practical and elegant for baby wear. The neckline is shaped by picking up and knitting stitches evenly around the neck opening, and a 1×1 rib neckband is worked to create a neat, stretchy finish that sits comfortably around a baby's neck.

The cardigan features armhole shaping and neck shaping worked simultaneously on the fronts, with decreases worked at regular intervals — typically every 4th row — to create a smooth, tapered silhouette. The left and right fronts mirror each other in construction, with the pattern providing clear, row-by-row instructions for each piece separately.

• Neckline style: Round neck with ribbed neckband
• Body fabric: Stocking stitch throughout
• Shaping: Armhole and neck shaping with decreases on right-side rows
• Finishing detail: Stitches picked up evenly along neck edges and from stitch holders at back of neck

Additional Cardigan Design(s)

The pattern number 4152 encompasses multiple cardigan styles across the same size range, each worked in King Cole Baby DK. While the PDF references construction details consistent with classic baby cardigan design — including front bands, armhole shaping, and neckband finishing — the garments share the same fundamental structure of back, two fronts, and sleeves sewn together at completion. Variations in stitch pattern, neckline style, or decorative detail may distinguish individual designs within the booklet.

Techniques Used

Knitters working through this pattern will practise a range of essential garment-making techniques. The construction method is traditional flat knitting, with each piece worked back and forth in rows before being seamed. Key shaping techniques include:

• Armhole shaping — worked by decreasing stitches at the armhole edge to create a fitted sleeve opening
• Neck shaping — gradual decreases on the front pieces to form the neckline curve
• Stitch holder usage — stitches at the back neck are held and later picked up to form the neckband seamlessly
• Picking up and knitting stitches — evenly spaced along neck edges to create a professional, tidy neckband
• Seaming — joining front, back, and sleeve pieces after blocking

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st-st) — the primary fabric stitch used throughout the body and sleeves
• 1×1 rib (k1, p1 rib) — used for the neckband and likely for cuffs and front bands, providing stretch and a neat edge

Materials

Yarn

The pattern is designed specifically for King Cole Baby DK, a double knitting weight yarn. Baby DK yarns in this range are typically soft, gentle on delicate skin, and easy to care for — making them well suited to baby garments that require frequent washing. The pattern includes a tension (gauge) guide to ensure correct sizing across all six size options.

Needles

As a DK weight knitting pattern, standard