Cardigan, Top & Dress in King Cole DK - 5113pdf - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan, Top & Dress Knitting Pattern in King Cole DK – Pattern 5113

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole (pattern number 5113) offers three charming children's designs in one package: a cardigan, a top, and a dress. Sized to fit chest measurements of 51–71 cm (20–28 inches), the pattern covers a wide age range of 1 to 10 years, making it an exceptionally versatile choice for knitters looking to create handmade wardrobe staples for young children. Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is well suited to knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are comfortable working with shaping, stitch pattern variations, and garment construction.

King Cole is a well-established British yarn brand with a long heritage in producing accessible, high-quality knitting patterns, and pattern 5113 is a fine example of their children's knitwear range. A portion of every King Cole pattern purchase supports the Pink Ribbon Foundation, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

Materials Required

All three designs are knitted in King Cole DK (double knit weight) yarn. DK is one of the most popular yarn weights for children's garments — it works up quickly, produces a fabric with good stitch definition, and is light enough to be comfortable for little ones to wear. The pattern calls for 4mm knitting needles, which is the standard needle size recommended for DK weight yarn and produces a neat, even fabric suitable for garment construction.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is emphasised as essential before beginning any of the three garments. The pattern specifies two tension measurements:

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles
• 22 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over pattern on 4mm needles

The difference in row tension between stocking stitch and the textured pattern sections is an important detail — knitters should swatch both to ensure accurate sizing across all three garments.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a range of classic knitting stitches and techniques appropriate for an intermediate-level knitter. The abbreviations listed in the pattern reveal the full scope of what is involved:

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the most fundamental knitting stitch, worked with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side, producing a smooth, flat fabric ideal for garment bodies and sleeves
• Reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st) – the mirror image of stocking stitch, with purl on the right side and knit on the wrong side, creating a textured, bumpy surface often used as a contrast or decorative element in children's knitwear
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric frequently used for borders, hems, and cuffs due to its natural elasticity and neat finish
• Pattern (patt) – a specific stitch pattern used across sections of the designs, which accounts for the different row tension noted above
• Increasing (inc) and decreasing (dec) – essential shaping techniques used to create the fitted silhouettes of the cardigan, top, and dress, including armhole shaping, necklines, and sleeve tapers
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) – a decrease technique used to reduce stitches in a neat, directional manner, commonly employed in neckline and armhole shaping
• Slipping stitches (sl) – stitches moved from one needle to the other without being worked, used in conjunction with decrease methods

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a classic children's layering piece featuring the structured construction typical of King Cole's children's patterns. It is worked in sections — typically front panels, back, and sleeves — then seamed together. The use of garter stitch borders and stocking stitch body fabric is characteristic of this style of garment. Shaping at the armholes and neckline uses the increase and decrease techniques listed in the abbreviations. As a cardigan, it will also incorporate a button band or front opening detail, making it a practical and polished finished gar