Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Fashion Aran - 4559 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Fashion Aran 4559 – Sweater & Cardigan Knitting Pattern Summary

Pattern King Cole 4559 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic children's designs: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole Fashion Aran yarn. The designs feature a raglan sleeve construction and are sized to fit chest measurements of 46–71 cm (18–28 in), making them suitable for babies through to older children. Both garments share the same elegant stitch combination of cables and Stocking Stitch, giving them a timeless, heirloom quality.

Designs Included in This Pattern

Children's Raglan Sweater

The sweater is a classic over-the-head pullover featuring raglan sleeve shaping, which creates a smooth, diagonal seam from the underarm to the neckline. This construction is well loved for children's knitwear because it allows for a comfortable, flexible fit and reduces bulk at the shoulder. The body and sleeves are worked flat and then seamed, making this a great project for knitters who enjoy traditional construction methods.

• Raglan sleeve shaping for a neat, fitted silhouette
• Cable panel of 10 stitches running as a central or repeated feature, measuring approximately 4 cm (1¾ in) in width
• 1×1 Rib used for welts, cuffs, and neckband edgings
• Stocking Stitch as the main body fabric

Children's Raglan Cardigan

The cardigan shares the same raglan sleeve construction and stitch vocabulary as the sweater but opens at the front, making it easier to dress and undress young children. The front bands are typically worked in 1×1 Rib, providing a neat, stretchy edge that holds its shape well over time. Like the sweater, the cardigan showcases the same cable panel detail, giving both garments a coordinated, matching appearance when worn together.

• Open front with ribbed button bands
• Matching cable panel and Stocking Stitch body
• Raglan sleeve construction consistent with the sweater design
• 1×1 Rib at cuffs, hem, and front bands

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both garments draw on a combination of foundational and intermediate knitting stitches and techniques. Knitters working these patterns will use:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating the smooth, classic fabric that forms the main body of both garments
• 1×1 Rib – an alternating knit one, purl one sequence that produces a stretchy, reversible fabric ideal for cuffs, welts, and neckbands
• Cable Panel – a 10-stitch cable panel worked using a cable needle (CN), creating a raised, twisted rope effect that adds textural interest and a traditional Aran character to both designs
• Raglan Shaping – involves working paired decreases on both sides of the sleeve and body at regular intervals to shape the armhole and sleeve head simultaneously, a technique requiring careful row counting and attention to the pattern sequence
• Increasing and Decreasing – standard shaping techniques used throughout the sleeve and body sections
• Seaming – the garments are worked in pieces and joined, so knitters will need to be comfortable with mattress stitch or a preferred seaming method

Pattern Difficulty

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the combination of cable work, raglan shaping, and the need to maintain pattern continuity across shaping rows. Knitters should be comfortable reading multi-row cable instructions, working with a cable needle, and managing decreases while keeping the cable panel correct. The pattern is an excellent project for experienced knitters looking to create a beautifully detailed children's garment with a professional finish.

Tension