Round & Polo Neck Sweater in King Cole Super Chunky - 4286 - Downloadable PDF

Round & Polo Neck Sweater in King Cole Super Chunky – Pattern 4286

Pattern 4286 from King Cole is a knitted sweater pattern offering two classic neckline options: a round neck and a polo neck. Worked in Super Chunky weight yarn, this design is ideal for knitters with an intermediate skill level who want to create a cosy, substantial garment with satisfying texture and speed. The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it suitable for a broad range of body sizes.

Garment Overview

The sweater is constructed with raglan shaping, a classic technique where the sleeves and body are reduced simultaneously along diagonal seam lines, creating a smooth, comfortable fit across the shoulders without a traditional set-in sleeve. The raglan sections are worked using fully fashioned decreases, which means the shaping stitches are worked a few stitches in from the edge, creating a neat, visible decorative detail along the raglan lines — a hallmark of quality hand knitting.

Two distinct neckline finishes are included in the pattern, giving knitters the choice between a neat round neck for a more classic look or a cosy polo neck for extra warmth and a contemporary style. Both versions are worked from the same body and sleeve construction, with the neckline finish applied at the final stage.

Techniques Used

• Raglan shaping with fully fashioned decreases — shaping is worked symmetrically inward from the edges, producing a polished, professional finish along the raglan lines.
• Cable knitting — the pattern includes cable stitches worked with a cable needle (CN), adding richly textured rope-like panels to the design.
• Twisted stitches — T3B (Twist 3 Back) and T3F (Twist 3 Front) are used to move knit stitches diagonally across a purl background, creating elegant travelling stitch effects often seen in traditional Aran-style knitting.
• Make One (M1) increases — stitches are increased by picking up the horizontal loop between two stitches and working into the back of it, creating a nearly invisible increase used in shaping.
• Stocking stitch body fabric — the main fabric of the sweater is worked in classic stocking stitch, providing a smooth knit face and a consistent, even background for any textured panels.
• 2x2 Rib — a two-by-two ribbing pattern (knit 2, purl 2) is used for the welts, cuffs, and neckband, providing elasticity and a tidy, structured edge finish.

Stitches Used

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) — alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, forming the smooth main fabric.
• 2x2 Rib — a repeating sequence of knit 2, purl 2 stitches used for all ribbed edgings.
• C4B (Cable 4 Back) — slip 2 stitches to a cable needle held at the back, knit 2, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle; creates a right-leaning cable cross.
• C4F (Cable 4 Front) — slip 2 stitches to a cable needle held at the front, knit 2, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle; creates a left-leaning cable cross.
• T3B (Twist 3 Back) — slip 1 stitch to a cable needle held at the back, knit 2, then purl the stitch from the cable needle; moves a knit pair diagonally to the right.
• T3F (Twist 3 Front) — slip 2 stitches to a cable needle held at the front, purl 1, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle; moves a knit pair diagonally to the left.
• M1 (Make One) — an increase stitch worked through the back of the loop to avoid a hole.