Pullover in Schachenmayr Universa - 4861 - Downloadable PDF

Pullover in Schachenmayr Universa – Free Knitting Pattern (PDF Download)

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic children's pullover worked in Schachenmayr original Universa yarn. The design is offered in two sizes — 74/80 and 86/92 — making it ideal for babies and toddlers. The sweater is knitted in crisp White (Fb 00001) and features a neat button placket at the shoulder, making it easy to dress and undress small children. Two pearl buttons complete the finishing details.

What Is Being Made

The pattern constructs a complete children's pullover consisting of four main pieces: a back, a front, and two sleeves. The back and front are worked flat in rows, and the sleeves are shaped with increases along both edges to form the classic tapered sleeve silhouette. A neckband is picked up and worked separately after the shoulder seam is joined. A button overlap at the left shoulder and a buttonhole on the right shoulder allow the garment to be fastened securely.

Construction and Techniques

• Flat knitting in rows (Hin- und Rückreihen) is used throughout all four pieces.
• The back is worked to a total height of 29/34 cm, with the first 61/69 stitches cast off at the shoulder and a button overlap of 1.5 cm continued over the remaining left shoulder stitches in rib pattern before casting off.
• The front mirrors the back in its lower construction but diverges at 22/27 cm above the cuff, where a neckline shaping begins by casting off the central 17/19 stitches. Further decreases are worked on both sides — 1× 3 stitches, 2× 2 stitches, and 2× 1 stitch in every second row — to create a smooth, rounded neckline.
• A buttonhole is worked on the right front shoulder section within the rib pattern by knitting two stitches together and working a yarn over, which is then resolved on the following row. The left shoulder section continues in the main stitch pattern.
• The sleeves begin with 45 stitches, work a short cuff, then increase by 7 stitches in the first main-pattern row to reach 52 stitches. Sleeve shaping continues with paired increases on both edges — 14× every 4th row / 16× every 4th row and 4× every 2nd row — reaching a final stitch count of 80/92 stitches. Total sleeve height is 16.5/20.5 cm.
• After blocking, the right shoulder seam is joined. The neckband is picked up with 78/84 stitches and worked over 5 rows in rib pattern, incorporating a second buttonhole on the 3rd row using the same yarn-over method.
• Finishing involves blocking all pieces — pinning to measurements, dampening, and allowing to dry — before seaming.

Stitches Used

• Bündchenmuster (Rib Pattern): A classic 1×1 rib alternating one knit stitch and one purl stitch. This is used for the cuffs, the button overlap, and the neckband. The stitch pattern is also provided in a Strickschrift (knitting chart) below the dashed line for visual reference.
• Grundmuster (Main Pattern): The body and sleeves are worked in a textured stitch pattern read from a knitting chart above the dashed line. The pattern is worked in both right-side and wrong-side rows, with the stitch repeat beginning after the edge stitch on right-side rows and ending as charted. Rows 3 through 6 are repeated throughout. This creates a decorative surface texture that adds visual interest to the simple silhouette.
• Yarn-over buttonholes: Formed by a k2tog followed by a yarn over (Umschlag), then resolved on the next row according to the rib pattern —