Baby Raglan Cardigans & Sweaters in King Cole Baby Pure DK - 4902 - Downloadable PDF

Baby Raglan Cardigans & Sweaters in King Cole Baby Pure DK – Pattern 4902

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole (pattern number 4902) provides instructions for a collection of baby raglan cardigans and sweaters worked in King Cole Baby Pure DK yarn. The designs are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 36 cm to 61 cm (14 in to 24 in), making them suitable for newborns through to toddlers. The raglan sleeve construction is a central feature across all garments in this pattern, giving each piece a classic, neat finish that is both practical and timeless for baby knitwear.

Garments Included

Pattern 4902 covers a range of raglan sleeve baby garments, specifically cardigans and sweaters. While the PDF presents multiple designs within the same booklet, all share the same foundational raglan construction approach. The cardigans feature an open front suitable for easy dressing, while the sweaters are worked as pull-on styles. Both garment types are designed with the practical needs of babies and young toddlers in mind.

Construction and Techniques

The defining construction technique throughout this pattern is the raglan sleeve shaping. In raglan knitting, the sleeves and body pieces are shaped so that diagonal seam lines run from the underarm up to the neckline, eliminating the traditional set-in shoulder. This creates a smooth, flexible fit that is particularly well suited to baby garments, as it allows for comfortable movement and easy layering.

• Raglan shaping: Worked through paired decreases on both the body and sleeve pieces, creating the characteristic diagonal lines that meet at the neckline.
• Stocking stitch: The primary fabric stitch used across the garments, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, flat fabric ideal for baby clothing.
• Ribbing: Used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands to provide elasticity and a neat, professional finish at the edges.
• Increasing and decreasing: Essential shaping techniques used throughout to form the raglan lines, neckline, and sleeve taper.
• Slip stitch decreases: The pattern references psso (pass slipped stitch over) as part of the decrease vocabulary, contributing to clean, directional shaping lines.
• Yarn forward (yfwd): Referenced in the abbreviations, suggesting decorative or functional yarn-over techniques may appear in certain design details.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – the foundational stitches forming the stocking stitch fabric
• Rib stitch – alternating knit and purl stitches for borders and cuffs
• Slip one knitways (sl1) – used in decrease sequences
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) – paired with slip stitches to form left-leaning decreases
• Knit two together (K2tog) – standard right-leaning decrease for raglan and other shaping
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – used for decorative detail or buttonhole construction

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced. While the individual stitches are straightforward, the raglan shaping requires careful attention to row-by-row instructions, the management of multiple pieces simultaneously, and an understanding of garment construction. Knitters should be comfortable with increasing, decreasing, and reading multi-size pattern instructions before attempting this project.

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch. Achieving the correct tension is essential, particularly for baby garments where sizing accuracy is important. Knitters are advised to use a finer needle if fewer stitches than stated are achieved over 10 cm, and a larger needle if more stitches are counted.

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The pattern is designed specifically for use with King Cole Baby Pure DK yarn, a double knit (DK) weight yarn from