Sweater & Cardigan in King Cole Drifter Chunky - 4851 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Drifter Chunky Sweater & Cardigan – Pattern 4851

Pattern 4851 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic garment designs — a pullover sweater and a cardigan — both knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn. Sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), this pattern covers a wide range of adult sizes, making it a versatile addition to any knitter's project library. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore more structured techniques such as cable work.

For every King Cole pattern purchased, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, so buying this pattern also supports a meaningful charitable cause.

About the Designs

The Sweater

The pullover sweater is a structured, cosy knit worked in stocking stitch as its primary fabric, giving it a smooth, classic finish on the right side. The design incorporates 2x2 rib detailing — typically used at the cuffs, hem, and neckline — which adds elasticity and a neat, professional edge to the garment. Stitch holders are used during construction to manage live stitches at the neckline, which is a hallmark of a well-shaped, set-in or round neck finish. The pattern instructs knitters to pick up and knit stitches around the neck opening to create a tidy, finished collar.

The Cardigan

The cardigan shares the same yarn and needle specifications as the sweater but is constructed as an open-fronted garment. Like the sweater, it makes use of stocking stitch for the main body fabric and 2x2 rib for borders and edgings. The cardigan format allows for button bands and front opening shaping, offering a practical and stylish layering piece.

Cable Details

Both designs feature cable stitch panels, which elevate these garments beyond a straightforward knit and give them a richly textured, tactile quality. The pattern defines several cable abbreviations that are used throughout:

• C4B – a 4-stitch cable crossing to the back, created by slipping 2 stitches onto a cable needle held at the back, then knitting 2, followed by knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• C4F – a 4-stitch cable crossing to the front, worked in the same manner but with the cable needle held at the front of the work
• C8B – a larger 8-stitch cable crossing to the back, slipping 4 stitches onto the cable needle held at back, knitting 4, then knitting the 4 from the cable needle
• C8F – an 8-stitch cable crossing to the front, mirroring C8B but with the cable needle held at the front
• T2 – a 2-stitch twist, slipping 1 stitch onto the cable needle held at back, knitting 1, then knitting 1 from the cable needle

These cable crossings create the characteristic rope and twist textures that are a hallmark of chunky knit garments. The combination of C4B/C4F and the larger C8B/C8F cables suggests a layered, visually interesting cable panel rather than a single repeated motif.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows; forms the smooth main fabric of both garments
• 2x2 Rib – alternating knit 2, purl 2 sequences used for edgings and borders to provide stretch and structure
• Cable Stitches – C4B, C4F, C8B, C8F, and T2, all requiring a cable needle
• M1 (Make One) – an increase technique where a loop between two stitches is picked up and worked through the back to