Cardigan and Sweater Knitted in King Cole Super Chunky - 5780 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Super Chunky Cardigan and Sweater – Pattern 5780 Summary

Pattern 5780 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two classic cold-weather garments: a cardigan and a sweater (also known as a jumper). Both designs are worked in King Cole Super Chunky yarn, making them ideal projects for knitters who want to produce warm, substantial knitwear quickly. The pattern covers a generous size range of 71–117 cm (28–46 in), accommodating a wide variety of body sizes from smaller to larger adult fits.

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent choice for newer knitters who are ready to move beyond simple scarves and dishcloths and tackle their first garment construction. The use of super chunky weight yarn means stitches are large and easy to see, rows build up rapidly, and the overall knitting experience is satisfying and encouraging for those still developing their skills. More experienced knitters will also appreciate the quick, rewarding nature of working at this gauge.

Garments Included

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic pullover-style jumper knitted in the round of straightforward construction. As a beginner-friendly design worked in King Cole Super Chunky yarn, it is intended to produce a cosy, chunky fabric with excellent warmth and drape. The sweater makes excellent use of the yarn's lofty, bulky character to create a garment with real visual impact and substantial weight.

The Cardigan

The cardigan offers an open-front alternative to the sweater, providing a versatile layering piece suitable for a range of casual and everyday outfits. Like the sweater, it is constructed using King Cole Super Chunky yarn and shares the same straightforward, beginner-accessible approach to shaping and finishing.

Techniques Used

Both garments in pattern 5780 draw on a small, manageable set of knitting techniques that are well within the reach of a beginner knitter:

• Garment shaping – including increasing and decreasing to form armholes, necklines, and sleeve tapers
• Seaming and finishing – joining knitted panels together to complete the garment
• Tension/gauge swatching – the pattern emphasises the importance of achieving the correct tension before beginning
• Rib borders – used for cuffs, hems, and neckbands to provide elasticity and a neat finish

Stitches Used

The pattern makes use of a concise selection of stitches, all clearly defined within the abbreviations and special abbreviations sections of the PDF:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – the primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Reversed Stocking Stitch (Rev St-St) – the mirror image of stocking stitch, where the purl side faces outward, creating a textured, bumpy surface sometimes used as a design detail or contrast element
• 2x2 Rib – a repeating sequence of knit 2, purl 2 stitches that creates a stretchy, structured ribbed fabric, typically used at cuffs, hems, and neckbands
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – the two fundamental knitting stitches that underpin all of the above stitch patterns
• Slip stitch decreases – including slip one stitch knitways, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (psso) for neat, directional shaping
• Knit two together (K2tog) and related decrease methods for symmetrical shaping

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Tension

Both garments are designed specifically for King Cole Super Chunky yarn, a super chunky weight yarn that works up quickly and produces a thick, cosy fabric. Using the recommended yarn ensures the finished garments match the