Round Neck Cardigan and Round Neck Sweater Knitted in King Cole Fjord DK - 5696 - Downloadable PDF

Round Neck Cardigan and Round Neck Sweater Knitted in King Cole Fjord DK – Pattern 5696

Pattern 5696 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two classic, versatile designs: a Round Neck Cardigan and a Round Neck Sweater. Both garments are knitted in King Cole Fjord DK yarn and are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 81 cm to 127 cm (32 in to 50 in), making them accessible across a wide range of adult sizes. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to develop their skills further.

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About the Designs

Round Neck Cardigan

The Round Neck Cardigan is a timeless, everyday layering piece featuring a classic round neckline and a clean, structured silhouette. Cardigans of this style are perennially popular because they are easy to wear, suitable for a wide range of occasions, and straightforward to adapt in terms of colour and yarn choice. The round neck shaping gives the finished garment a neat, polished look that works equally well dressed up or worn casually.

The cardigan is worked in separate pieces — typically a back, two fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. Shoulder shaping is achieved through cast-off sequences, as referenced in the pattern instructions, which create a neat, angled shoulder line. The front opening is a key design feature of any cardigan, and this pattern provides all the necessary instructions for working the button bands and front edges to a professional finish.

Round Neck Sweater

The Round Neck Sweater is a classic pullover design sharing the same round neckline aesthetic as the cardigan. Sweaters of this construction are a staple of any handknitted wardrobe — practical, warm, and endlessly wearable. Like the cardigan, the sweater is worked in pieces and seamed, with shoulder shaping built into the pattern to ensure a well-fitting, structured finish across all sizes.

The round neck on both garments is a particularly beginner-friendly neckline to work, as it involves straightforward decreasing and neckband pickup rather than the more complex shaping required for V-necks or square necks. This makes the pattern an excellent stepping stone for intermediate knitters looking to build confidence with garment construction.

Techniques Used

Both designs in pattern 5696 make use of a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. Key techniques include:

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric used throughout both garments, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. Stocking stitch produces a smooth, classic fabric that drapes well and showcases the texture and colour of King Cole Fjord DK beautifully.
• Increasing and decreasing – used throughout for sleeve shaping, armhole shaping, and neckline shaping. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including inc (increase) and dec (decrease) to guide knitters through these shaping sequences.
• Shoulder shaping via cast-off – the pattern specifies casting off a set number of stitches at the beginning of rows to create the angled shoulder line, for example casting off 13[16:19:20:23] stitches as stated in the pattern instructions.
• Working in rows on right side and wrong side – the pattern clearly distinguishes between rs (right side) and ws (wrong side) rows, an important skill for maintaining pattern consistency and correct shaping placement.
• Tension/gauge checking – the pattern emphasises the importance of achieving the correct tension before beginning, a critical skill for any garment knitting project.
• Seaming – as both garments are worked in separate pieces, knitters will need to join sections together using appropriate seaming methods to complete the finished garments.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundational stitch used throughout both garments.
• Purl stitch (p) – used on wrong side rows to create the smooth stocking stitch fabric