Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Opium Pallet - 4183 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Opium Pallet Sweater and Cardigan – Pattern 4183

Pattern King Cole 4183 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole that includes instructions for two classic knitwear designs: a sweater and a cardigan. Both garments are knitted in King Cole Opium Pallet yarn, a self-striping or colour-changing yarn that creates visual interest without the need for complex colourwork techniques. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and garment construction but are looking to develop their skills further.

Sizing and Fit

Both the sweater and the cardigan are designed to fit a range of adult chest measurements, spanning from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), offering five sizes in total. This generous size range makes the pattern accessible to a wide variety of body types. The instructions are written with size-specific stitch counts and row counts clearly indicated throughout, which is a hallmark of King Cole patterns and helps intermediate knitters navigate the shaping with confidence.

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic pullover construction worked in King Cole Opium Pallet yarn. The colourway of the Opium Pallet range means that the finished fabric displays a rich, multi-tonal effect that shifts gradually across the garment, giving the sweater a sophisticated, artisan appearance without requiring the knitter to manage multiple separate balls of yarn simultaneously.

• Stitch pattern: The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch, which is the standard knit-on-right-side, purl-on-wrong-side construction that produces a smooth, classic jersey fabric.
• Ribbing: The welts, cuffs, and neckband are worked in 1x1 rib (knit one, purl one alternately), which provides elasticity and a neat, professional finish at the edges.
• Neck shaping: The pattern includes explicit neck shaping instructions, with stitches cast off and decreases worked to form a clean neckline.

The Cardigan

The cardigan version shares the same yarn and overall aesthetic as the sweater but introduces additional construction elements associated with an open-fronted garment. It is worked in King Cole Opium Pallet using the same tension and needle specifications.

• Front borders: The cardigan features knitted front borders. The pattern specifies that a right front border is worked by picking up stitches along the front edge using 3.25mm needles and a contrast yarn, picking up stitches evenly along the ribbed section and the main body — for example, 16 stitches along the rib and up to 129 stitches along the main front edge depending on the size being worked.
• Stitch pattern: As with the sweater, the main fabric is stocking stitch, with 1x1 rib used for the borders and lower welts.
• Neck shaping: The right front (and by mirror, the left front) includes neck shaping, with stitches cast off at the neck edge and decreases worked on alternate rows to create a smooth, tapered neckline.
• Contrast yarn detail: The use of a contrast yarn for picking up border stitches is a practical technique that helps knitters maintain an even pick-up row before working the border ribbing in the main yarn.

Techniques Used

Both garments draw on a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques that make this pattern an excellent project for knitters looking to consolidate their garment-making skills.

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric construction throughout both garments
• 1x1 rib – used for all welts, cuffs, neckbands, and front borders
• Casting on and casting off – including casting off in pattern for shaping
• Neck shaping – working decreases at the neck edge on alternate rows