Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Fashion Aran - 4238 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Fashion Aran – Pattern 4238

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs for adults: a cardigan and a sweater (jumper), both knitted in King Cole Fashion Aran yarn. The pattern covers a generous range of sizes, from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it suitable for a wide variety of body shapes. Rated as an intermediate level project, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to tackle structured stitch patterns and cable techniques.

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Yarn and Materials

Both garments are designed to be worked in King Cole Fashion Aran, an Aran weight (also referred to as worsted weight) yarn. This yarn weight is well known for producing warm, structured fabrics with excellent stitch definition — particularly important when working textured and cable-based designs. The recommended needle size is 5mm knitting needles, though knitters are always encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed to achieve the correct tension. A cable needle (CN) is also required for working the cable stitches featured in these designs.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting finished garment. The stated tension for these patterns is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 5mm needles, with an allowance of 3 stitches for each cable. The raglan shaping is worked over 26 rows to 10 cm (4 in) in a fully fashioned style, meaning the decreases are worked a set number of stitches in from the edge for a neat, visible shaping detail.

Techniques Used

• Raglan shaping: Both garments feature raglan sleeves, a classic construction method where the sleeve and body are shaped simultaneously with angled decreases running from the underarm to the neckline. The fully fashioned approach used here places decreases deliberately inside the edge stitches, creating an attractive, intentional design line.
• Cable knitting: Cables are a signature feature of Aran-style knitwear. They are created by temporarily holding a group of stitches on a cable needle, knitting the next stitches from the main needle, and then knitting the held stitches. This crossing action produces the characteristic rope-like or plaited texture associated with traditional Aran designs.
• Fully fashioned decreasing: This technique involves placing increases or decreases a few stitches in from the garment edge rather than at the very edge, resulting in a refined finish that is particularly visible on raglan seam lines.
• Stocking stitch: The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows), providing a smooth background that contrasts beautifully with textured cable panels.
• Seaming and construction: As is typical for traditionally constructed knitwear, the pieces are knitted flat and then joined, requiring standard seaming techniques.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — the foundational stitches used throughout both garments
• Stocking stitch — the primary fabric stitch for body and sleeve sections
• Cable stitches — worked using a cable needle, forming the decorative Aran-style texture
• Slip stitch (sl) — slipping stitches knitways as part of decrease and shaping sequences
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) — used in combination with slip stitches to form left-leaning decreases
• Knit through back of loop (tbl) — used to create twisted stitches, often employed in Aran patterns to add definition to ribbing or transitional sections
• Decrease stitches (dec) and increase stitches (inc) — used throughout for shaping sleeves, raglans, and necklines