Jackets, Gilet & Hat in King Cole DK - 5087pdf - Downloadable PDF

King Cole DK Baby Jackets, Gilet & Hat – Pattern 5087 Summary

King Cole pattern 5087 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed for babies and toddlers aged 3 to 24 months, covering chest sizes from 41 cm to 54 cm (16 to 21 inches). The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and includes instructions for multiple garments: a Jacket (Version 1), a Gilet (sleeveless waistcoat), and a Hat. Each design is worked in King Cole DK (double knit) weight yarn, making them practical, warm, and suitable for everyday baby wear. A donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation is made with every King Cole pattern purchased.

About the Designs

Jacket – Version 1

The first design in this pattern is a classic baby jacket with raglan sleeves. Raglan shaping is a popular construction method in which the sleeves and body are joined and decreased simultaneously along diagonal seam lines running from the underarm to the neckline, creating a smooth, comfortable fit that is especially well suited to babies and young children. The jacket features a ribbed welt and cuffs, a shaped front slope, and contrast colour detailing introduced partway through the sleeve construction.

• Back: Cast on 53, 57, 63, or 67 stitches depending on size, worked initially on 3.75mm needles in a 1×1 rib for the welt, then switched to 4mm needles for the main body in stocking stitch.
• Fronts: Left and Right Fronts are worked separately with a shaped front slope — stitches are decreased on every 6th row to create the angled neckline. Raglan armhole shaping decreases are worked simultaneously on alternate rows, with cast-off stitches at the beginning of the armhole shaping row.
• Sleeves: Cast on 29, 31, 33, or 35 stitches on 3.75mm needles, beginning with garter stitch rows before a contrast colour (C) is joined. Sleeves are worked with raglan shaping to match the body pieces.
• Construction method: Raglan sleeve set-in, with pieces worked flat and seamed together.

Gilet (Sleeveless Waistcoat)

The Gilet is a sleeveless version that follows a similar construction to the jacket but omits the sleeves entirely. This makes it a versatile layering piece, ideal for keeping a baby's core warm while allowing freedom of arm movement. It is worked in King Cole DK yarn using the same needle sizes and tension as the jacket, with ribbed borders and stocking stitch body panels.

Hat

The Hat is designed to coordinate with the jacket and gilet, completing the set. It is worked in King Cole DK yarn and sized to fit the same age range of 3 to 24 months. Like the other garments, it uses a combination of rib and stocking stitch, and may incorporate the same contrast colour detailing used in the jacket sleeves for a matching finish.

Techniques Used

This pattern introduces and combines several knitting techniques suitable for an intermediate knitter. Knitters working this pattern should be comfortable with increasing and decreasing, working from a tension square, and following multi-size instructions.

• Raglan sleeve shaping – simultaneous decreases worked along the sleeve and body edges to form the characteristic diagonal raglan lines
• Front slope shaping – gradual decreases on every 6th row to angle the front neckline
• Casting off mid-row – stitches cast off at the beginning of armhole shaping rows
• Colour work – a main shade (M) and contrast shade (C) are used, with the contrast introduced partway through the sleeve
• Working straight – sections worked without shaping between decrease rows