Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Big Value Chunky - 4704 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Big Value Chunky – Pattern 4704

This downloadable PDF from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs — a cardigan and a sweater — both knitted in the popular Big Value Chunky yarn. The pattern is graded as advanced difficulty and covers a wide range of sizes, from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making it suitable for a broad range of adult figures. As with all King Cole patterns, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every purchase.

Designs Included

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a structured, button-front garment worked in chunky weight yarn. As an advanced-level project, it is likely to feature shaping details such as armhole, neck, and sleeve shaping, along with a neat button band or front border. The generous size range means the pattern includes multiple sets of instructions to accommodate different body measurements, requiring careful attention to the correct size throughout.

The Sweater

The sweater (also known as a jumper or pullover) is a classic knitted top worked in the same Big Value Chunky yarn. Like the cardigan, it is shaped to fit a range of adult sizes and is classified as an advanced make, suggesting it incorporates more complex construction techniques such as set-in or raglan sleeve shaping, neckline finishing, and precise tension matching.

Techniques Used

Both garments are constructed using a range of standard and more advanced hand-knitting techniques appropriate for experienced knitters. These include:

• Shaping — increasing and decreasing stitches to create fitted armholes, sleeves, and necklines
• Seaming — joining knitted pieces together to construct the finished garment
• Picking up stitches — typically used along necklines and front bands for a neat, professional finish
• Working from a tension square — the pattern explicitly emphasises checking tension before commencing, which is critical at chunky weight to ensure correct sizing
• Slip stitch techniques — including slipping stitches knitways (s1) and purlways (s1p), used for shaping and decorative details
• Yarn-over techniques — including yfwd (yarn forward), yon (yarn over needle), and yrn (yarn round needle), commonly used to create eyelets or decorative increases

Stitches Used

The primary fabric stitch throughout both garments is stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows), which is the foundation of most classic knitwear. The tension specification of 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 6 mm needles confirms this as the main fabric. Additional stitch techniques referenced in the abbreviations include:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — the fundamental building blocks of both garments
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) — a decrease technique used in shaping
• Through back of loop (tbl) — a technique that twists a stitch, often used for neat decreases or textural detail
• Knit and purl together (tog) — standard decrease methods used throughout shaping sections
• Yarn-over variations — yfwd, yon, and yrn create decorative openwork or serve as paired increases

Materials

Both designs are knitted using King Cole Big Value Chunky yarn, a chunky weight yarn well known for its excellent value and wide colour range. The recommended needle size is 6 mm knitting needles, or the size needed to achieve the stated tension of 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch. Knitters are strongly encouraged to work a tension square before beginning, as even small variations at chunky weight can significantly affect the finished measurements