Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole DK - 4254 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole DK 4254 – Knitted Sweater & Cardigan Pattern Summary

King Cole pattern 4254 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic designs in one package: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole DK weight yarn. Sized to fit chest measurements from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), this pattern provides a broad size range suitable for a wide variety of adult knitters. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal next step for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to tackle shaping and garment construction.

King Cole is a well-established British yarn brand with a long tradition of producing accessible, well-written knitting patterns. For every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, meaning your purchase supports a meaningful charitable cause.

What Is Being Made

The pattern includes instructions for two separate garments:

• A classic pullover sweater – a timeless, over-the-head style knitted in the round or flat panels and seamed together.
• A button-up cardigan – an open-front version of the same design, offering versatile layering options.

Both garments are worked in a clean, traditional style that suits everyday wear. The size range of 28/30 to 44/46 inches means the pattern is inclusive and adaptable for many different body shapes.

Techniques Used

This is a flat knitting pattern, meaning the pieces are worked back and forth on straight or circular needles and then seamed together. Key construction techniques include:

• Garment shaping – including increasing and decreasing to shape armholes, necklines, and sleeves.
• Seaming – joining knitted panels to construct the finished garment.
• Picking up stitches – used for finishing neckbands, button bands, and cardigan front edges.
• Increasing (inc) – adding stitches to shape sleeves and body panels.
• Decreasing (dec) – reducing stitches for armhole and neckline shaping.
• Make One (M1) – a specific increase technique where a loop is picked up between the last and next stitch to create a neat, almost invisible extra stitch.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout both garments is Stocking Stitch (St-St), which forms the smooth, classic fabric that gives these garments their neat, polished appearance. Stocking Stitch is worked by alternating a knit row on the right side with a purl row on the wrong side, creating a flat, even surface on the right side and a textured, ridged surface on the reverse.

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – the main body fabric, worked as knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows.
• Knit (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout.
• Purl (P) – used on wrong-side rows in Stocking Stitch and for any ribbed edgings.
• Ribbing – typically used at cuffs, hems, and neckbands to create a stretchy, neat finish (standard in garments of this style).

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for garment knitting. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over Stocking Stitch using 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly — moving to a finer needle if there are too few stitches per 10 cm, or a larger needle if there are too many. Getting the tension right ensures the finished garment matches the intended measurements across the full size range.

Materials Required

Both the sweater and the cardigan are designed to be kn