Child’s Sweater in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 170 - 6169A - Downloadable PDF

Child's Sweater in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 170 – Pattern Summary

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic child's sweater, worked in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 170 yarn. The pattern is sized to fit multiple children's sizes, with construction details given across three size variants throughout, making it a versatile project for knitters who want to make a hardwearing, comfortable pullover for younger wearers.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a children's pullover sweater with a structured body, set-in sleeves, a ribbed hem and cuffs, and shaped necklines on both the front and back pieces. The sweater is knitted in separate flat pieces — a back, a front, and two sleeves — which are then seamed together. The total finished height of the garment ranges from 38 cm to 46 cm depending on the size chosen, making it suitable for younger school-age children.

Construction and Shaping Details

The back piece begins with a ribbed cuff (Bündchen) worked in a rib stitch pattern, followed by the main body fabric. Armhole shaping begins after 17 / 19 / 21 cm from the top of the ribbing, at which point 14 stitches are cast off on each side, reducing the stitch count to 87 / 95 / 109 stitches. The back neckline is shaped after 32 / 36 / 40 cm from the ribbing by casting off the central 29 / 33 / 33 stitches, then working further decreases on each side — 3 stitches once and 2 stitches once — in every second row. The remaining 24 / 26 / 33 shoulder stitches are cast off after the full height is reached.

The front piece is worked in the same way as the back but features a deeper neckline, which begins earlier — after 30 / 33 / 36 cm from the ribbing. The central 25 / 29 / 29 stitches are cast off first, followed by side decreases of 3 stitches once, 2 stitches once, and 1 stitch twice in every second row, creating a more rounded and gradual front neck shaping. The same number of shoulder stitches are cast off at the full height as on the back.

The sleeves begin by casting on 46 / 52 / 58 stitches and working 4 cm of rib stitch for the cuff, starting with a wrong-side (purl) row. After the ribbing, the pattern transitions into the main stitch pattern, and 1 stitch is increased in the first row, bringing the count to 47 / 53 / 59 stitches. The pattern notes specific placement instructions for the stitch repeat relative to the edge stitches, particularly for the middle size.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – all pieces are worked back and forth in rows
• Ribbing (Bündchenmuster) – used for the hem, cuffs, and likely the neckband, providing elasticity and a neat finish
• Stitch pattern repeats (Rapport) – the main body fabric is worked in a repeating stitch motif, with edge stitches (Randmaschen) framing each piece
• Armhole shaping – achieved through simultaneous cast-offs on both sides
• Neckline shaping – worked using stepped cast-offs followed by gradual row-by-row decreases
• Sleeve increases – stitches are added to shape the sleeve from cuff to underarm
• Seaming – the finished pieces are joined together after blocking or pressing

Stitches Used

• Rib stitch (Bündchenmuster) – used for all welts and cuffs, typically a knit/purl combination for stretch