Cardigan, Gilet & Sweaters in King Cole DK - 4550 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole DK Pattern 4550 – Cardigan, Gilet & Sweaters for Babies and Toddlers

King Cole pattern number 4550 is a collection of classic baby and toddler knitwear designs worked in King Cole DK (double knit) weight yarn. The pattern is rated Easy Knit, making it an accessible project for knitters with some basic experience, and it covers a size range of 41–56 cm (16–22 inches) to fit babies and toddlers aged 3 to 24 months. This downloadable PDF pattern includes instructions for multiple garments: a cardigan, a gilet (sleeveless waistcoat), and sweaters, giving knitters a versatile wardrobe of coordinating pieces for little ones.

King Cole is a well-established British yarn brand with a long heritage in producing accessible, family-friendly knitting patterns. For every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, meaning your craft purchase also supports a charitable cause.

Garments Included in Pattern 4550

• Cardigan – A classic baby cardigan with an open front fastening, suitable for layering over bodysuits and tops.
• Gilet – A sleeveless waistcoat style, ideal for keeping little ones warm while allowing freedom of movement in the arms.
• Sweaters – Pullover-style sweaters knitted in the round or flat, designed for comfortable everyday wear.

Techniques and Construction

All garments in this pattern are knitted using flat knitting techniques, working the pieces separately and seaming them together. The construction approach is straightforward and well-suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping but may not yet have tackled complex construction methods. Key techniques used across the designs include:

• Increasing and decreasing for armhole, sleeve, and neckline shaping
• Tension/gauge checking before beginning, which is strongly recommended in the pattern instructions
• Working right side and wrong side rows consistently throughout
• Basic seaming to join front, back, and sleeve pieces

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the collection is stocking stitch (abbreviated as st-st in the pattern), which creates the smooth, classic knitted fabric familiar in baby garments. The pattern also incorporates:

• Knit (K) and purl (P) stitches as the foundation of all fabric
• Rib stitch – typically used for cuffs, hems, and neckbands to add elasticity and a neat finish
• Pattern stitch (patt) – referenced in the abbreviations, suggesting decorative or textured stitch sections within one or more of the designs
• Yarn round needle (yrn) – used to create eyelets or decorative increases, often seen in baby lace or button band detailing
• Slip stitch (sl) – used for neat edges or decorative detailing

Materials Required

All designs in pattern 4550 are worked in King Cole DK (double knit) weight yarn. DK is one of the most popular yarn weights for baby knitwear, offering a fabric that is light enough for small garments while still knitting up at a satisfying pace. The recommended needle size for this pattern is 4mm knitting needles, which is standard for DK weight yarn.

• Yarn: King Cole DK weight yarn
• Needles: 4mm knitting needles (straight or circular as preferred)
• Tension: 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles

The pattern strongly advises knitters to knit a tension square before beginning any garment. If your tension produces fewer stitches or rows than stated, switch to finer needles; if it produces more, switch to larger needles.