Sweaters in King Cole Opium - 4825 - Downloadable PDF

Sweaters in King Cole Opium – Pattern 4825: Knitted Raglan Sleeve Sweaters

Pattern 4825 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring sweaters with raglan sleeves, sized to fit chest measurements of 81–107 cm (32–42 inches). Designed for intermediate knitters, this pattern offers a classic, well-structured silhouette achieved through the timeless raglan shaping technique. The pattern is knitted in King Cole Opium, a chunky-weight yarn, making it a satisfying and relatively quick project compared to finer-weight alternatives.

King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every pattern purchase, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

Garment Design: Raglan Sleeve Sweater

The central design in this pattern is a raglan sleeve sweater. Raglan construction is a beloved approach in knitwear design where the sleeves extend in one continuous diagonal line from the cuff all the way to the neckline, eliminating the traditional set-in shoulder seam. This creates a smooth, comfortable fit across the shoulders and upper body, making the finished garment particularly practical and flattering for everyday wear.

Construction and Shaping

The raglan shaping is worked through careful decreasing on both the body sections and the sleeves simultaneously, so that all four pieces — the front, back, and two sleeves — converge neatly at the neckline. The pattern references specific stitch counts at key shaping points, such as 13 sts and 10–12 sts at raglan stages, indicating precise, structured shaping instructions across the five sizes included in the pattern.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping – the defining construction method, worked by decreasing stitches at regular intervals along raglan lines on both body and sleeve pieces
• Increasing and decreasing – used throughout for sleeve shaping and raglan lines, referenced in the abbreviations as inc and dec
• Working through the back of the loop (tbl) – a technique used to create twisted stitches, often employed in decrease rows to produce a neat, defined line
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – referenced in the abbreviations, typically used to create a decorative eyelet or as part of a specific stitch pattern detail
• Alternating rows (alt) – shaping is worked on alternate rows, a standard method for achieving gradual, even raglan lines
• Tension swatch knitting – the pattern strongly emphasises checking tension before beginning, a critical intermediate skill

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric of the sweater, formed by alternating knit (k) rows on the right side (rs) and purl (p) rows on the wrong side (ws), producing a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Knit (k) and Purl (p) – the foundational stitches forming the body of the fabric
• Stitches worked together (tog) – used in decrease sequences along the raglan lines

Sizing

The pattern is written across five sizes, covering chest measurements from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in). Knitters are advised to circle their chosen size before beginning, as stitch counts and row instructions vary across the size range. Key stitch counts differ between sizes — for example, raglan shaping references 13[13:14:14:14] sts and 10[10:10:12:12] sts at specific stages, illustrating the multi-size format used throughout the pattern.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Tension

This pattern is designed specifically for King Cole Opium, a chunky-weight yarn. Opium is a popular choice for cosy, textured knitwear due to its substantial weight and the speed at which chunky projects knit up. The recommended needle size is 5 mm, though knitters are advised to adjust needle size up or down to achieve the correct tension.

The stated