Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Drifter Aran - 5735 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole 5735: Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Drifter Aran – Pattern Summary

Pattern 5735 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two classic knitwear designs: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both worked in the popular King Cole Drifter Aran yarn. Rated as suitable for beginner knitters, this pattern is an excellent starting point for those new to garment knitting, while still offering a satisfying and polished result for more experienced crafters. The designs are sized to fit bust/chest measurements of 81–107 cm (32–42 inches), making them accessible across a range of sizes.

A portion of the proceeds from every King Cole pattern purchase is donated to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

About the Designs

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic pullover style worked in a combination of textured stitch patterns. Construction follows a traditional flat-knitting approach, with separate pieces worked for the back and front before being seamed together. The pattern includes shaping for the back neck and shoulders, with stitches cast off in stages to create a neat, structured neckline. The front is worked to mirror the back, with the same stitch count and shaping details.

The sweater features a ribbed hem and cuffs, worked on 5.5mm needles before transitioning to the main body worked on 6mm needles. The ribbing is a classic 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2), which provides a neat, elasticated finish at the lower edges and sleeve ends. The main fabric is worked in a combination of stitch patterns that complement the self-striping and tonal qualities of the Drifter Aran yarn.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is the second design included in this pattern leaflet, offering an open-front alternative to the pullover. Like the sweater, it is constructed using flat knitting techniques and shares the same yarn, needle sizes, and general stitch vocabulary. The cardigan format makes it a versatile layering piece, ideal for everyday wear across a range of seasons.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both garments in pattern 5735 draw on a range of fundamental knitting stitches and techniques, making the pattern an ideal learning resource as well as a practical project:

• 2x2 Rib (K2, P2 rib): Used for welts, cuffs, and borders. This stitch alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches to create a stretchy, structured edge.
• Stocking Stitch (st-st): The classic fabric formed by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating a smooth face and a textured reverse.
• Reversed Stocking Stitch (rev st-st): The opposite of stocking stitch — purled on the right side and knitted on the wrong side — used to add textural contrast within the design.
• Garter Stitch (gst): Every row knitted, producing a ridged, reversible fabric often used for borders or decorative panels.
• Shaping techniques: Including increasing and decreasing (working two stitches together, passing slipped stitches over) to shape armholes, necklines, and shoulders.
• Casting on and casting off: Staged cast-offs are used at the shoulders and neck to create smooth, gradual shaping.
• Slipping stitches onto a thread: A technique used to hold stitches temporarily while working neck shaping on each side separately.

Tension

The stated tension for both designs is 24 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over pattern on 6mm needles. Checking tension before beginning the garment is strongly recommended, as even a small difference in stitch or row count can significantly affect the finished size. If your tension square produces fewer stitches or rows than stated, switch to finer needles; if it produces more, switch to larger needles.

Materials

Both the