Ladies Sweater Jackets in King Cole Drifter Chunky - 4598 - Downloadable PDF

Ladies Sweater Jackets Knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky – Pattern 4598

Pattern 4598 from King Cole is a knitting pattern for ladies sweater jackets, worked in the brand's popular Drifter Chunky yarn. The pattern covers a generous range of sizes, from 81/86 cm to 122/127 cm (32/34 in to 48/50 in), making it accessible to a wide range of body types including larger sizes. This is a downloadable PDF pattern, rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are comfortable working shaped garments.

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What Is Being Made

The pattern produces ladies sweater jackets — a versatile style that combines the cosy, relaxed fit of a sweater with the open-front wearability of a jacket. Sweater jackets are a perennially popular knitwear choice, offering warmth and style in one garment. The chunky weight yarn means these pieces knit up relatively quickly compared to lighter-weight designs, making them a satisfying project for intermediate knitters.

Construction and Shaping Techniques

The pattern features raglan shaping, a classic construction method in which the sleeves and body are joined and shaped simultaneously from the underarm to the neckline. Raglan shaping creates a diagonal seam line running from the underarm to the collar, producing a comfortable, flexible fit across the shoulders that suits a wide range of body shapes. This technique requires the knitter to work increases and decreases at regular intervals on specified rows, and the pattern provides clear row-by-row instructions for achieving this shaping correctly.

The garment is worked in separate pieces — typically a back, two fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. This is a traditional flat knitting approach, meaning all pieces are worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – The primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. It produces a smooth, classic knitted fabric and forms the main body of the sweater jackets.
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches – The fundamental building blocks of the fabric, referenced throughout the pattern instructions.
• Increases (inc) – Used to add stitches during shaping sections, particularly in sleeve shaping.
• Decreases (dec) / working stitches together (tog) – Used during raglan shaping to reduce stitch counts and form the characteristic diagonal raglan lines.
• Alternating rows are referenced in the tension section, confirming that stocking stitch is worked over alternating knit and purl rows throughout.

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm (4 inches), measured over stocking stitch. Achieving the correct tension is described as essential in order to knit the garment to the correct size. Knitters are advised to check their tension swatch carefully: if fewer stitches are produced than stated, thinner needles should be used; if more stitches are produced, thicker needles are required.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is specifically designed to be knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn. Drifter Chunky is a chunky weight yarn from King Cole, known for its softly variegated, tonal colour effects that create beautiful, self-striping results without the knitter needing to change colours manually. The yarn's drifting colour transitions give finished garments a rich, textured appearance that complements simple stitch patterns like stocking stitch particularly well.

• Yarn: King Cole Drifter Chunky
• Needle size: 6 mm needles, or the size required to achieve the correct tension of 14 sts and 20 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is ideal for intermediate knitters who are