Cardigan, Waistcoat, Sweater, Tank Top and Bootees in King Cole Little Treasures DK - 5858 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Little Treasures DK Pattern 5858 – Cardigan, Waistcoat, Sweater, Tank Top and Bootees

King Cole pattern 5858 is a comprehensive baby and toddler knitting collection worked in King Cole Little Treasures DK yarn. The pattern covers five distinct designs — a long-sleeved cardigan, a waistcoat, a sweater, a tank top, and a pair of bootees — all sized to fit chest measurements of 31 to 54 cm (12 to 21 inches), making the range suitable from newborn through to toddler. Each garment is rated as intermediate difficulty, making this collection ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple stitch patterns but looking to build on their skills with more structured construction techniques.

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Materials and Tension

All five designs are knitted in King Cole Little Treasures DK, a double knitting weight yarn well suited to delicate babywear. 4mm knitting needles are used throughout the collection. The stated tension is 20 stitches and 40 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the pattern on 4mm needles. King Cole emphasises the importance of checking tension before beginning any garment; knitters achieving fewer stitches or rows than stated should switch to finer needles, while those achieving more should move to larger needles.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a range of knitting stitches and construction techniques across its five designs:

• Garter stitch (gst): Every row knitted, used for borders and structural sections.
• Stocking stitch (st-st): Right side knit, wrong side purl — the classic smooth fabric used across the main body sections.
• Rib stitch: Used for welts, cuffs, neckbands, and button bands, providing stretch and a neat finish.
• K1B (knit one below): A textural technique where the needle is inserted into the stitch one row below before knitting in the usual way, creating a subtle woven or elongated stitch effect used in the repeating pattern rows.
• Yarn round needle (yrn): Used to create buttonholes on the button bands, worked alongside a work 2 together decrease to maintain stitch count.
• Psso (pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease used in shaping, particularly along front slopes and armhole edges.
• Armhole and front slope shaping: Worked using a combination of cast-off rows and paired decrease rows to create neat, fitted openings.
• Sleeve setting: Sleeves are set in by placing the centre of the sleeve top to the shoulder seam, then sewing the cast-off edge of the sleeve evenly to the back and fronts, with the rows above markers on the sleeves sewn to cast-off stitches at the armholes.

The Long-Sleeved Cardigan

The long-sleeved cardigan is a classic baby garment featuring a structured back, shaped fronts with a front slope, and set-in sleeves. The back is cast on with 37 to 61 stitches depending on size, and the fabric is established over a ten-row pattern repeat combining knit rows with the K1B textured pattern. Armhole shaping is achieved by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by decrease rows to shape the curve. The right front mirrors the left with the addition of a buttonhole band, worked using yrn, work 2tog at regular intervals to create evenly spaced buttonholes. The left shoulder seam is sewn up and the bands are joined before the sleeves are attached. The result is a neat, traditional baby cardigan with a subtle all-over texture.

The Waistcoat

The waistcoat follows a similar construction to the cardigan but omits the sleeves, creating a sleeveless layering piece ideal for cooler days. The same K1B textured pattern is used for the main fabric, with ribbed borders providing a tidy finish at the armhole edges, front bands, and hem. Shaping at the armholes and front slope gives