Cardigan and Jumper in King Cole Footsie 4ply - 5866 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Pattern 5866 – Knitted Sweater and Cardigan in Footsie 4ply

Pattern 5866 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two classic children's garments: a sweater (jumper) and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole Footsie 4ply yarn. The designs are sized to fit chest measurements of 51–71 cm (20–28 inches), making them suitable for babies and young children across a range of ages. The pattern is rated as beginner level, making it an excellent choice for knitters who are building confidence with garment construction while still producing a polished, wearable result.

Purchasing this pattern also contributes to a charitable cause, as King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern sold.

Garments Included

The Sweater (Jumper)

The sweater is a straightforward, classically shaped pullover worked in stocking stitch with neat ribbed edges. It is constructed in separate pieces — front, back, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. The front begins with a cast-on of 97 to 129 stitches depending on the size chosen, worked on 2.75mm needles in 1x1 rib for the welt, before switching to 3.25mm needles for the main body in stocking stitch.

Shaping is achieved through a combination of standard decrease techniques, giving the garment a clean, fitted silhouette appropriate for children's knitwear. Neck shaping uses slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (psso) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases, as well as purl two together through the back loop (P2togtbl) on wrong-side rows, creating smooth, directional shaping at the neckline and armholes.

The Cardigan

The cardigan shares the same yarn, needle sizes, and general construction approach as the sweater, but features an open front with button bands. Like the sweater, it uses 1x1 rib for the lower edges and cuffs and stocking stitch for the main body. The cardigan's front pieces are worked separately to allow for the button and buttonhole bands, making it a practical and versatile layering piece for young children.

Both garments showcase the same tidy, timeless aesthetic that is characteristic of King Cole children's patterns — simple enough for a beginner to complete successfully, yet structured enough to produce a garment that looks professionally made.

Techniques Used

• Casting on – the foundation of each garment piece
• 1x1 Rib – worked over an odd number of stitches, alternating knit and purl stitches across rows to create an elastic, stretchy border at welts and cuffs
• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – the main fabric of both garments, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic surface
• Armhole and neck shaping – using paired decreases to create clean, shaped edges
• Seaming – joining front, back, and sleeve pieces together after knitting
• Picking up stitches – for neckbands and button bands on the cardigan

Stitches Used

• K (Knit) – the fundamental knit stitch
• P (Purl) – the fundamental purl stitch
• K2tog (Knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease used in shaping
• s1, K1, psso (Slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) – a left-leaning decrease used in shaping
• P2tog (Purl two together) – a purl-side decrease
• P2togtbl (Purl two together through the back loop) – a directional purl decrease used at neck and armhole edges