Jackets in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK - 5119pdf - Downloadable PDF

Knitted Jackets in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK – Pattern 5119

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for knitting two jackets — a Shorter Jacket and a Longer Jacket — both worked in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and covers a wide range of sizes from 81 cm to 127 cm (32 to 50 inches), making it suitable for a broad range of adult figures. As with all King Cole patterns, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every purchase.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces two versions of a knitted jacket, both sharing the same basic construction but differing in length. Each jacket features a structured back, shaped fronts, and shoulder shaping worked through a series of cast-off rows. The garments are classic in style, with textural stitch patterns adding visual interest to the fabric. Both jackets are knitted flat in separate pieces and seamed together.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast on — used to begin the back and other pieces, creating a firm, elastic edge well suited to cotton-blend yarns
• Flat knitting — all pieces are worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round
• Shoulder shaping — achieved by casting off a set number of stitches at the beginning of alternate or consecutive rows, creating a neat, angled shoulder line
• Tension/gauge checking — the pattern explicitly instructs knitters to check tension before beginning, with guidance to switch to thinner or thicker needles as needed to achieve the correct stitch and row count
• Seaming — individual pieces are joined after knitting to complete the finished jacket

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (g-st) — formed by knitting every row; used at the lower edge of the back to create a firm, non-curling border; worked for 8 rows before transitioning to the main pattern
• Ridge pattern — a four-row repeat consisting of: Row 1 (RS): Knit; Row 2: Purl; Rows 3 and 4: Knit; this creates a subtle horizontal ridged texture and is used across the back and body of both jackets; tension over ridge pattern is 22 sts and 38 rows to 10 cm on 3¼ mm needles
• Irish moss stitch — a classic textured stitch that alternates knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard arrangement across rows, creating a dense, even fabric with excellent drape and body; used on the upper back and fronts of both jackets; tension over Irish moss stitch is 22 sts and 29 rows to 10 cm on 4 mm needles

The Two Jacket Designs

Shorter Jacket

The Shorter Jacket is worked to a back length of approximately 39 to 50 cm (15½ to 19½ inches, depending on size) before the shoulder shaping begins. The lower section is worked in garter stitch and ridge pattern, transitioning to Irish moss stitch for the upper body. The Left Front is worked to match the back length before shoulder shaping is introduced. This version is ideal for those preferring a more cropped or hip-length silhouette.

Longer Jacket

The Longer Jacket continues in Irish moss stitch until the back measures approximately 55 to 66 cm (21¾ to 26 inches, depending on size) before shoulder shaping commences. This longer length provides additional coverage and a more relaxed, casual fit. The construction method mirrors that of the shorter version, with the same stitch patterns and shaping techniques applied over a greater number of rows.

Shoulder Shaping Detail

Both jackets feature carefully graduated shoulder shaping. Stitches are cast off at the beginning of specified rows — either on alternate rows or consecutive rows depending on the size being worked — with 4, 5, 6, or 7 stitches cast off per row across multiple repeats.