Tank, Sweaters and Cardigan in Stylecraft Special DK - 10143 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Special DK 10143 – Tank, Sweaters and Cardigan Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

Pattern 10143 from Stylecraft is a versatile collection of four knitted designs worked in Stylecraft Special DK yarn. The collection includes a tank top, a short sweater, a standard-length sweater, and a cardigan, all sharing a cohesive aesthetic built around classic ribbing and cable stitch detailing. Sized to fit chest/bust measurements from 66 cm (26 in) to 102 cm (40 in), the pattern also includes petite sizes, making it an inclusive and practical choice for a wide range of knitters. This is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, rib patterns, and cable techniques.

Yarn and Needles

All four designs are worked in Stylecraft Special DK, a popular, widely available DK weight yarn. Two needle sizes are required across the collection:

• 3.25 mm needles – used for the ribbed welts and cuffs
• 4 mm needles – used for the main body fabric once the rib section is complete

The pattern is knitted flat or in the round as appropriate to each design, and knitters should swatch carefully to achieve the correct tension before beginning.

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern makes use of a small but well-chosen set of stitch patterns that give each garment its structure and texture:

• 2x2 Rib – established over two rows: Row 1 (right side): K2, *p2, k2, rep from * to end; Row 2: P2, *k2, p2, rep from * to end. This rib forms the foundation of all four garments, appearing at hems, cuffs, and neckbands.
• Cable Pattern – introduced on the main body sections, beginning with a right-side row worked as (K2, p2) repeated a set number of times depending on the size being knitted. This cable detail adds visual interest and a classic, structured finish to the sweaters and cardigan.
• Shaping techniques – standard knitting increases and decreases are used for armhole, neck, and sleeve shaping across all four garments.

Design 1 – The Tank Top

The tank top is a sleeveless, fitted knitted top designed for layering or warm-weather wear. It is the most concise of the four designs in terms of length, with a finished length of approximately 30–51 cm (11¾–20 in) depending on size. The actual chest/bust measurement of the finished tank ranges from 67 cm to 107 cm across the size range. The tank uses the 2x2 rib at the lower edge and armhole/neck trims, with the cable pattern forming the main body fabric. Its sleeveless construction makes it an ideal project for knitters looking to practise shaping without the added complexity of full sleeves.

Key Measurements – Tank Top

• To fit chest/bust: 66–102 cm / 26–40 in
• Actual chest/bust: 67–107 cm
• Length: 30–51 cm / 11¾–20 in

Design 2 – The Short Sweater

The short sweater shares the same length range as the tank top – approximately 30–51 cm (11¾–20 in) – but adds set-in or shaped sleeves for a complete, cropped jumper silhouette. This makes it a fashionable, contemporary option within the collection. Like all designs in this pattern, it opens with a 2x2 rib worked on 3.25 mm needles before transitioning to the cable pattern on 4 mm needles. The short sweater is an excellent choice for knitters who want a quicker project with less yarn consumption than a full-length garment.

Key Measurements – Short Sweater