Cardigan and Sweater Knitted in King Cole Chunky - 5676 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Chunky Cardigan and Sweater – Pattern 5676 Summary

Pattern 5676 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic cold-weather garments: a cardigan and a sweater (jumper), both knitted in King Cole Chunky weight yarn. The designs are sized to fit bust/chest measurements of 86–112 cm (34–44 inches), making them accessible across a generous range of sizes. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and textured stitch patterns but are ready to develop their skills further.

A portion of the proceeds from every King Cole pattern purchase is donated to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, so buying this pattern also supports a meaningful charitable cause.

Materials and Tension

Both garments are worked in King Cole Chunky yarn, a bulky-weight yarn that knits up quickly and produces a warm, substantial fabric ideal for autumn and winter wear. The recommended needles are 7mm for the main body fabric and 6.5mm for the welts and ribbed sections, following standard practice of using a slightly smaller needle for tighter, neater edges.

The stated tension is 12 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over Fisherman's Rib on 7mm needles. Checking tension before beginning is strongly advised in the pattern, as Fisherman's Rib can behave differently from knitter to knitter. If fewer stitches or rows are achieved than stated, finer needles should be used; if more stitches or rows are achieved, larger needles are recommended.

The Cardigan

Construction and Shaping

The cardigan is a structured, shaped garment worked in separate pieces — at minimum a back and fronts — which are then seamed together. Construction begins with the back, where stitches are cast on using 6.5mm needles and a two-row rib welt is worked as a neat, elasticated lower border. The welt uses a standard knit one, purl one rib pattern across all stitches.

After the welt is complete, the work transitions to 7mm needles and the main stitch pattern — Fisherman's Rib — begins. Fisherman's Rib is a distinctive technique that creates a deeply cushioned, almost double-knit-like fabric with excellent stretch and warmth. It is achieved by working a K1B stitch (knit one stitch in the row below) in alternation with purl stitches, giving the finished fabric the appearance of a classic brioche or full fisherman's rib without requiring yarn overs.

Front Bands and Buttonholes

The front bands of the cardigan are worked as an integrated garter stitch border alongside the Fisherman's Rib body fabric, rather than being picked up and added separately afterwards. This is a neat construction detail that keeps the front edges tidy and stable. The pattern specifies a combined stitch pattern for the fronts described as Fisherman's Rib with garter stitch front band, where the outermost stitches on the front edge are worked in garter stitch (every row knit) while the body continues in Fisherman's Rib.

Buttonholes are incorporated into the front band during knitting, positioned to correspond with button markers placed earlier in the work. The pattern instructs knitters to place markers on the button band side and then work matching buttonholes on the buttonhole band side at the same row intervals, ensuring accurate alignment.

Front Slope Shaping

The front slope — the diagonal neckline shaping on each front piece — is achieved through decreases worked at the inner edge of the front band. Two decrease methods are referenced: K2tog (knit two together) for right-leaning decreases and sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) for left-leaning decreases, creating neat, mirrored shaping on each front. Decreases are worked at intervals across multiple rows depending on the size being made, with some sizes requiring