Waistcoat & Round Neck Sweater in King Cole Super Chunky - 4293 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole 4293: Waistcoat & Round Neck Sweater in Super Chunky

Pattern King Cole 4293 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two distinct designs in one leaflet: a waistcoat (vest) and a round neck sweater, both knitted in King Cole Super Chunky yarn. The designs are sized to fit chest measurements of 91/97 cm through 132/137 cm (36/38 in to 52/54 in), making them inclusive across a generous range of sizes. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques but may not yet have tackled complex construction methods. As with all King Cole patterns, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every purchase.

The Waistcoat

The waistcoat is a sleeveless, tailored garment worked in separate front and back pieces. The pattern details a Left Front section explicitly, indicating the fronts are knitted individually and then seamed, which is a classic construction approach for waistcoats with a front opening. The lower edges begin with a 1x1 rib border, worked over multiple rows to create a neat, stretchy hem that sits close to the body. After the ribbed border is complete, stitches are decreased evenly across a transition row before the main body fabric begins.

The body of the waistcoat is worked in stocking stitch throughout, giving a smooth, clean fabric on the right side. Shaping is introduced at the armholes, with decreases worked at each end of rows to create a tailored fit through the upper body. The pattern specifies working until the front piece reaches a stated length before armhole shaping begins, ensuring correct proportions across all sizes.

Waistcoat Techniques and Stitches

• 1x1 Rib: Alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, creating an elastic border at the lower edge
• Stocking Stitch (St-St): Knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows, forming the smooth main fabric
• Armhole Shaping: Decreases worked at row ends to shape the armhole opening
• Even Decrease Rows: Stitches decreased evenly across a row when transitioning from rib to stocking stitch, ensuring an even fabric tension
• Seamed Construction: Fronts and back worked separately and joined

The Round Neck Sweater

The second design in this pattern leaflet is a round neck sweater, a classic pullover style featuring a neat, circular neckline. Like the waistcoat, it begins with a 1x1 rib at the lower edges, providing structure and stretch at the hem and cuffs. The body transitions into stocking stitch for the main fabric, worked in the same smooth, straightforward manner.

A notable feature of the sweater construction is the inclusion of raglan shaping, as evidenced by the specific raglan decrease sequences described in the pattern. Raglan construction means the sleeves and body are shaped simultaneously with paired decreases that run diagonally from the underarm to the neckline, creating the characteristic angled seam lines. This technique distributes ease across the upper body and shoulder in a way that suits chunky-weight garments particularly well, as it avoids bulky shoulder seams.

The raglan decreases are worked using specific decrease stitches on both sides of the raglan line: s1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) on one side and K2tog (knit two together) on the other, creating neat, mirrored decrease lines. These are worked on right side rows, with purl rows worked straight on wrong side rows, maintaining the stocking stitch fabric between shapings.

Round Neck Sweater Techniques and Stitches

• 1x1 Rib: Used at lower body and cuff edges for elasticity and neat finishing
• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The primary fabric stitch throughout the body and sleeves
• Raglan Shaping: Paired decreases worked along diagonal lines from underarm to neck, a defining structural feature of the swe