Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Drifter 4ply - 5384pdf - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Drifter 4ply – Pattern 5384 (Downloadable PDF)

This downloadable knitting pattern (pattern number 5384) from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs — a cardigan and a sweater — both knitted in the beautiful King Cole Drifter 4ply yarn. The pattern covers a generous size range, from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making it accessible to a wide range of body sizes. Rated as an intermediate level project, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to develop their skills further with more structured garment construction.

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About the Two Designs

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic pullover style worked in Reversed Stocking Stitch (Rev St-St) as the main fabric, which gives the finished garment a beautifully textured, matte surface — the reverse of the familiar smooth Stocking Stitch. This technique creates a subtly rustic aesthetic that complements the tonal, drifting colour palette of King Cole Drifter 4ply yarn particularly well. The sweater is a timeless wardrobe staple, suitable for a variety of occasions.

The Cardigan

The cardigan shares the same yarn and core construction approach, also utilising Reversed Stocking Stitch as the primary stitch pattern. As an open-front garment, the cardigan offers a versatile layering piece. Both garments feature ribbed sections — worked in 1x1 Rib — which are typically used at cuffs, welts, and neckbands to provide elasticity and a neat, professional finish.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Reversed Stocking Stitch (Rev St-St): The main fabric stitch for both garments. Rather than displaying the smooth knit side, the purl side is used as the right side, creating a soft, textured surface.
• 1x1 Rib: Alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, used for borders, cuffs, and bands to add stretch and structure.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The two fundamental knitting stitches that form the basis of all stitch patterns in this design.
• Increasing and Decreasing: Standard shaping techniques used throughout garment construction to shape sleeves, armholes, and necklines.
• Garment construction and seaming: As a structured knitted garment pattern, pieces are worked flat and then joined, requiring intermediate skills in assembling knitted sections neatly.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting garment. The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm (4 in), measured over Reversed Stocking Stitch. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly — moving to a finer needle if too few stitches are achieved per 10 cm, or a larger needle if too many stitches result.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

• Yarn: King Cole Drifter 4ply — a 4ply weight yarn known for its softly variegated, tonal colourways that create a drifting, gradient-like effect in the finished fabric without the need for complex colour work techniques.
• Needles: 3.25mm knitting needles are specified as the needle size required to achieve the stated tension, though individual knitters may need to adjust up or down to match the tension exactly.

Who Is This Pattern Suitable For?

This pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who have moved beyond beginner projects and are comfortable working garment shaping, reading multi-size patterns, and working both knit and