Sweaters & Cardigan in King Cole Aran - 4554 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Aran 4554 – Raglan Sleeve Sweaters & Cardigan Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

This downloadable PDF from King Cole presents a collection of raglan sleeve sweaters and a cardigan, all knitted in King Cole Aran weight yarn. The designs are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 66 cm to 112 cm (26 in to 44 in), making the collection suitable for a wide range of sizes. Rated as advanced in difficulty, these patterns will appeal to experienced knitters who enjoy working with structured stitch patterns and classic construction techniques.

Garments Included

Raglan Sleeve Sweaters

The collection includes raglan sleeve sweaters worked in a combination of textured stitch patterns. The raglan construction is a classic and elegant method of shaping the sleeve and body simultaneously, creating a smooth diagonal seam from the underarm to the neckline. This technique eliminates the need for a traditional set-in sleeve and produces a comfortable, flexible fit across the shoulders. The sweaters make use of rich surface texture to add visual interest and depth to the finished fabric.

Cardigan

A raglan sleeve cardigan is also included in the pattern set, sharing the same construction approach as the sweaters but featuring a front opening. Cardigans of this style are versatile wardrobe staples, and the aran weight yarn gives the finished garment excellent warmth and structure. The cardigan is worked using the same stitch vocabulary as the sweaters, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic across the collection.

Techniques Used

These patterns employ a range of knitting techniques suited to advanced knitters. Key construction and shaping methods include:

• Raglan sleeve shaping – simultaneous decreasing across body and sleeve pieces to create the characteristic diagonal raglan line
• Increasing and decreasing – used throughout for shaping armholes, necklines, and sleeve heads
• Tension/gauge management – knitters are instructed to work a tension square before beginning, adjusting needle size as needed to achieve the correct gauge
• Cable knitting – including C6B (cable 6 back), worked by slipping stitches onto a cable needle held at the back of the work, then knitting across to create a twisted rope effect
• Seaming and finishing – joining raglan seams and finishing edges neatly

Stitches Used

The patterns draw on a varied stitch palette that gives the garments their characteristic aran texture. Stitches and stitch patterns referenced include:

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side; used for smooth fabric sections
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knitted; creates a ridged, reversible fabric often used for borders and welts
• Broken garter rib pattern – the primary fabric pattern used across the garments, combining elements of rib and garter stitch for a textured, structured surface
• Cable stitch (C6B) – a six-stitch back cable that produces a classic twisted rope motif, a hallmark of traditional aran knitting
• Rib stitch – used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands to provide elasticity and a neat finish

Materials

All designs in this collection are knitted using King Cole Aran weight yarn. The recommended needle size is 5 mm, which is the standard size for achieving the stated tension of 18 stitches and 25 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over the broken garter rib pattern. A cable needle is also required for working the cable stitches. Knitters are strongly advised to check their tension before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly – moving to finer needles if the stitch count is too low, or to larger needles if the stitch count is too high.

Who Is This Pattern Suitable For?

Rated advanced, this pattern collection is best suited to knitters who are already comfortable with cable knitting, raglan shaping, and working from multi