Sweater & Top in King Cole Comfort Kids DK - 5112 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Comfort Kids DK Pattern 5112 – Sweater & Top with Raglan Sleeves

Pattern 5112 from King Cole is a charming children's knitwear collection offering two distinct designs: a classic Sweater and a lighter Top, both featuring a flattering raglan sleeve construction. Sized to fit chest measurements of 51–71 cm (20–28 inches), the pattern covers ages 1 to 10 years, making it a versatile and long-lasting addition to any knitter's repertoire. This is a downloadable PDF from King Cole, rated at an intermediate difficulty level, and is knitted in DK (double knit) weight yarn.

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The Sweater

The Sweater is a cosy, fully constructed children's jumper worked in a two-colour pattern stitch using a main yarn (M) and a contrast yarn (C). The colourwork detail adds visual interest and texture, making it stand out from a plain stocking stitch garment. The sweater features raglan sleeves, a construction method where the sleeve and body are shaped simultaneously with diagonal decreases running from the underarm to the neckline — eliminating the need for a traditional set-in shoulder seam and creating a smooth, comfortable fit ideal for children's active wear.

Construction and Shaping

The Back is cast on using 3.75mm needles and begins with 3 rows of garter stitch in the contrast colour, providing a neat, non-curling border. Stitches are then transferred to 4mm needles for the main body, where the two-colour pattern is introduced by joining and breaking off M and C as required across rows. This technique is typical of stranded or slip-stitch colourwork in children's knitting.

The Sleeves are worked in the same manner — cast on with 3.75mm needles, a garter stitch border in C, then continued on 4mm needles in the two-colour pattern. The sleeve stitch counts vary by size, reflecting the graduated shaping needed across the age range.

Finishing

The pattern includes button fastenings, with instructions to sew on a button and complete a second side symmetrically, suggesting a partial opening — likely at the back neck or shoulder — which is a practical feature for dressing young children easily.

The Top

The Top is a lighter, more open garment designed as a warmer-weather or layering option. Like the Sweater, it is worked in DK weight yarn using King Cole yarn and shares the same raglan sleeve silhouette. The Back of the Top is cast on with a notably larger stitch count — 93 to 141 stitches depending on size — suggesting a more relaxed or draped fit compared to the Sweater.

The Top also begins with 3 rows of garter stitch on 3.75mm needles in the contrast colour before moving to 4mm needles, maintaining the same structured border approach. The two-colour joining technique is used here as well, keeping the design language consistent across both garments in the pattern leaflet.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping — a classic construction where sleeves and body are decreased together, creating diagonal seam lines and a neat, fitted yoke
• Two-colour knitting — working with a main yarn (M) and contrast yarn (C), joining and breaking off colours as directed across rows
• Garter stitch borders — every row knit, used at cast-on edges to prevent curling and add a tidy finish
• Stocking stitch — right side knit, wrong side purl; used as the base fabric in sections of both garments
• Increasing and decreasing — used throughout for sleeve shaping, raglan armhole shaping, and neckline construction
• Button band finishing — a practical opening with button fastening for ease of dressing

Stitches