Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole DK - 4953 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole DK – Pattern 4953

This King Cole pattern 4953 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic designs for young children: a raglan-sleeve cardigan and a raglan-sleeve sweater. Both garments are sized to fit chest measurements of 56–81 cm (22–32 inches), making them ideal for babies and toddlers. The pattern is rated as beginner level, so it is well suited to knitters who are just building their skills and confidence, while still producing a polished, wearable result.

For every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, so buying this pattern also supports a charitable cause.

Designs Included

Raglan-Sleeve Cardigan

The cardigan features a classic raglan sleeve construction, which creates a smooth, diagonal seam running from the underarm to the neckline rather than a traditional set-in sleeve. This shaping method is particularly popular for children's knitwear because it provides a comfortable, flexible fit with room to move. The front opening makes it easy to put on and take off, which is a practical consideration for young children.

The body is worked in reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st) as the main fabric, giving the garment a distinctive textured, purl-side-out appearance that adds visual interest without requiring complex stitch patterns. Borders and edges are finished in garter stitch, which lies flat naturally and provides a neat, tidy edge without curling.

Raglan-Sleeve Sweater

The sweater shares the same raglan sleeve shaping as the cardigan and is worked in the same yarn and needle combination. Like the cardigan, it uses reversed stocking stitch as the primary fabric, creating a cohesive look across both designs. The pullover silhouette is a timeless wardrobe staple for children, and the raglan construction keeps the knitting straightforward and enjoyable for less experienced knitters.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both garments draw on a small, manageable set of stitches and techniques, making this pattern genuinely accessible for beginners:

• Reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st) – the right side is purled and the wrong side is knitted, producing a bumpy, textured fabric surface
• Stocking stitch (st-st) – right side knit, wrong side purl; used in selected sections
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, used for borders and edgings
• Raglan shaping – gradual decreasing along the sleeve and body edges to form the characteristic diagonal raglan line
• Double decrease (DD) – a special abbreviation used in this pattern: slip the next two stitches knitwise onto the right-hand needle, knit one stitch, then pass both slipped stitches over the knitted stitch; this creates a neat, centred double decrease
• Standard increases and decreases – including decreasing every alternate row and every fourth row to shape the raglan and neckline
• Picking up stitches – stitches are picked up evenly around the neckline to work a neat neck border, incorporating stitches from the sleeve tops, back neck, and front neck edges
• Casting on – a straightforward cast-on begins each piece

Tension

The stated tension for both designs is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over reversed stocking stitch using 4 mm needles. Checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended, as it directly affects the finished size of the garment. If fewer stitches or rows than stated are achieved over 10 cm, finer needles should be used; if more stitches or rows are achieved, larger needles should be used.

Materials

Both the cardigan and the sweater are designed to be knitted in King Cole DK weight yarn. DK (double knit) is a versatile, medium-light weight yarn that is widely available and comfortable to work with, making it an excellent choice for children's garments. The main needles used are 4 mm, with