Man’s Sweater and V Neck Cardigan in King Cole Authentic DK - 4131 - Downloadable PDF

Man's Sweater and V-Neck Cardigan – Pattern Summary (King Cole Authentic DK, Pattern 4131)

King Cole pattern 4131 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic menswear designs: a pullover sweater and a V-neck cardigan. Both garments are knitted in King Cole Authentic DK yarn and are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 97/102 cm (38/40 in) up to 137/142 cm (54/56 in), making them accessible across a wide range of adult male sizes. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, meaning it is best suited to knitters who are comfortable working beyond basic techniques but who are not necessarily advanced.

About the Two Designs

Design 1: Man's Sweater

The first design is a classic men's pullover sweater featuring a raglan sleeve construction. Raglan shaping is a well-loved technique in menswear knitwear because it creates a smooth, diagonal seam running from the underarm to the neckline, providing a comfortable, sporty fit with excellent freedom of movement. The raglan shaping requires careful attention to simultaneous decreases — a hallmark of intermediate-level knitting — where stitches are reduced at the raglan edge and, in some sections, at the neck edge at the same time.

The sweater incorporates a ribbed hem and cuffs, worked in a knit one, purl one (K1, P1) rib stitch. The rib sections are substantial in length — up to 95 to 115 rows depending on the size — giving the garment a neat, elasticated finish at the lower body and sleeve edges. This extended rib is typical of traditional menswear patterns and helps the sweater retain its shape over time.

Design 2: Man's V-Neck Cardigan

The second design is a V-neck cardigan, again worked in King Cole Authentic DK. The V-neck shaping requires the knitter to manage neck edge decreases alongside other shaping, which is where much of the intermediate-level skill is applied. Like the sweater, the cardigan uses raglan sleeve shaping, and the pattern instructs the knitter to work decreases at both the raglan edge and the neck edge simultaneously across multiple rows — a technique that demands concentration and the ability to track two sets of shaping instructions at once.

The cardigan's button bands, hems, and cuffs are finished in the same K1, P1 rib stitch, maintaining a cohesive, tidy appearance throughout the garment. The V-neck opening gives the cardigan a smart, versatile look that works equally well as a casual layer or a more polished piece over a shirt.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping – diagonal decreases worked from underarm to neckline on both body and sleeve sections
• Simultaneous shaping – working raglan decreases and neck edge decreases at the same time across alternating rows
• K1, P1 ribbing – used extensively for hems, cuffs, and neckbands to create elasticated, structured edges
• Neck shaping – V-neck decreases on the cardigan requiring careful row-by-row management
• Marker placement – stitch markers are used to indicate key shaping points within the pattern
• Flat knitting – both garments are worked in flat pieces that are subsequently seamed together

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout both garments
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to form the rib pattern
• K1, P1 Rib – the primary decorative and structural stitch for all edgings and bands
• Decrease stitches – used to shape raglans and necklines; specific decrease methods are detailed within the pattern rows

Materials Required

• Yarn: King Cole Authentic DK – a double knit (D