Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Vogue DK - 5096pdf - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater Knitting Pattern – King Cole Vogue DK (Pattern 5096)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic garments — a Cardigan and a Sweater — both featuring elegant raglan sleeves. Designed for intermediate knitters, the pattern covers a generous size range of 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it suitable for a wide variety of body shapes. The pattern is knitted in King Cole Vogue DK yarn, a double knit weight yarn, and is worked on 3.25mm and 4mm knitting needles. Both garments share a refined construction approach with fully fashioned raglan shaping, giving the finished pieces a neat, professional finish.

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About the Yarn and Materials

King Cole Vogue DK is a double knit (DK) weight yarn, a versatile and popular yarn weight that produces garments with good stitch definition and a comfortable drape. DK yarn sits between 4-ply and Aran weight, making it ideal for structured garments such as cardigans and sweaters that need to hold their shape while remaining lightweight and wearable. The pattern recommends 4mm needles as the primary needle size, with 3.25mm needles used for ribbed welts and borders.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting garment. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Knitters are advised to swatch carefully and adjust needle size accordingly — moving to a finer needle if too few stitches appear per 10cm, or a larger needle if too many. It is also noted that the raglan sections are worked at 30 rows to 10cm due to the fully fashioned decreasing technique used in those areas.

Design 1: The Cardigan

The cardigan is a classic, structured design featuring raglan sleeve shaping and a neat front opening. It is worked in separate pieces — including a back, left front, right front, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The left front construction is clearly described in the pattern, beginning with a cast-on on 3.25mm needles and working an initial border in garter stitch before transitioning to the main body fabric.

Construction and Shaping

• Fronts and Back: The back is worked in stocking stitch throughout, continuing until the back measures 40cm, at which point raglan shaping begins. Stitch counts are carefully adjusted across different sizes, with the pattern noting specific increases or decreases for certain sizes to ensure accurate stitch totals at key construction points.
• Raglan Shaping: The raglans are fully fashioned, meaning the decreases are worked a set number of stitches in from the edge, creating a visible and decorative decrease line. This is a hallmark of quality knitwear construction and gives the garment a polished, tailored appearance.
• Borders and Welts: The lower edges and cuffs begin on 3.25mm needles with a garter stitch border, providing a firm, non-curling edge before the main fabric begins on larger needles.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This produces a smooth, classic fabric surface ideal for garments.
• Garter Stitch (G-St): Every row knitted, used for the lower borders of the cardigan fronts and back to create a neat, flat edge.
• 1x1 Rib: Worked as knit one, purl one alternately across the row, used for cuffs and other ribbed sections. This stitch creates a stretchy, elastic fabric that helps garments fit snugly at the wrists and body edges.
• Lace or Text