Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Acorn Aran - 5806 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole 5806: Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Acorn Aran – Pattern Summary

Overview

Pattern 5806 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two classic Aran-weight garments: a pullover sweater and a cardigan. Both designs are worked in King Cole Aran yarn and are sized to fit bust/chest measurements of 81–102 cm (32–40 in), making them suitable for a range of adult sizes. The pattern is rated at an intermediate difficulty level, making it ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more structured stitch patterns such as cables and textured ribs.

Garments Included

• Sweater (Pullover): A classic over-the-head style garment worked in Aran-weight yarn, featuring the same rich textured stitch vocabulary as the cardigan, including cable and rib detailing.
• Cardigan: An open-front version of the design, sharing the same stitch patterns and construction approach, offering a versatile layering option in a timeless Aran style.

Techniques Used

Both garments are constructed using traditional knitting techniques well-suited to the intermediate knitter. Key techniques include:

• Cable knitting: The pattern features a prominent C13 cable, a 13-stitch cable worked by slipping the next 7 stitches onto a cable needle and placing it at the front of the work, knitting 6 stitches from the left-hand needle, then working sl 1, (K2, sl 1) twice from the cable needle. This creates a bold, twisted rope effect characteristic of traditional Aran knitwear.
• Ribbing: The garments are knitted in a rib pattern, with the stated tension of 20 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over rib on 5.5 mm needles. Rib fabric provides natural elasticity, making it ideal for fitted edges and body sections.
• Increasing and decreasing: Standard shaping techniques are used throughout for armholes, necklines, and sleeve tapers.
• Slipping stitches: Slip stitches (sl) are incorporated into the cable pattern to create additional texture and visual interest within the cable panel.
• Tension checking: The pattern strongly emphasises knitting a tension square before commencing, adjusting needle size up or down as needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – the foundation stitches used throughout both garments
• Rib stitch – used for the main fabric and borders, providing stretch and structure
• C13 Cable – a complex 13-stitch cable panel that forms the signature decorative feature of both designs
• Slip stitch (sl) – used within the cable repeat to create textural variation
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – referenced in the abbreviations, used at specific points in the pattern

Materials Required

Both the sweater and cardigan are designed to be knitted in King Cole Aran weight yarn. The pattern is presented specifically alongside King Cole Acorn Aran, a yarn well-suited to the stitch definition required for cable and rib work at this weight. 5.5 mm knitting needles are specified for achieving the correct tension, though knitters are advised to adjust needle size if their tension square does not match the stated gauge of 20 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm. A cable needle is also required for working the C13 cable panels.

Sizing

• To fit bust/chest: 81–102 cm (32–40 in)
• The pattern leaflet advises knitters to circle the size they wish to knit before beginning, to avoid confusion when following the graded instructions.