Schalkragen mit Zopfmuster in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85 - S7052A - Downloadable PDF

Schalkragen mit Zopfmuster – Free Knitting Pattern in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85 (S7052A)

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Schachenmayr guides knitters through the creation of a cosy, chunky cable-patterned cowl (Schalkragen), worked in the round using a double strand of Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85. The finished piece measures approximately 90 cm in circumference and 48 cm in height, making it a generously sized neck warmer or shawl collar that sits comfortably over the shoulders.

What Is Being Made

The project is a knitted cowl with a cable pattern — referred to in German as a Schalkragen (shawl collar). Its substantial dimensions make it suitable as both a standalone neck accessory and a cosy layering piece for cold-weather outfits. The design is worked entirely in the round, producing a seamless tube with a rich textured surface created by classic rope cables and a decorative bobble round.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round – The entire cowl is worked in rounds (Runden) on a circular needle, eliminating any seaming.
• Cable knitting – A 10-stitch rope cable forms the central motif of the repeat. The cable cross is executed on Round 6 of the pattern, where 5 stitches are placed on a Hilfsnadel (cable needle) and held to the front of the work, 5 stitches are knitted, and then the held stitches are knitted off the cable needle. This creates the classic twisted rope effect.
• Bobble making – On Round 73, a decorative Noppe (bobble) is worked into the fabric. From a single stitch, 5 stitches are created by alternating knit and purl increases; 5 short rows of stockinette are then worked over these 5 stitches before they are decreased back to one stitch using a combination of slip-slip-knit and a central 3-stitch decrease.
• Double-stranding – The yarn is held double throughout, which builds up the fabric quickly and gives the finished cowl its chunky, warm character.
• Cast-on and bind-off – 114 stitches are cast on with a double strand. The final bind-off is worked knitwise after two additional purl rounds that frame the bobble row.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitches (rechts) – Used throughout the cable panels and the main body of the pattern repeat.
• Purl stitches (links) – Used as column separators between the cable and knit sections within each 19-stitch repeat, and for the two finishing rounds at the top of the cowl.
• Cable cross stitch – A 5-over-5 front cable cross worked on Round 6 of each 12-round repeat.
• Bobble stitch (Noppe) – A 5-stitch bobble created with increases, short rows, and decreases, worked once on Round 73.

Pattern Structure and Stitch Count

The Grundmuster (main pattern) is based on a repeat of 19 stitches and runs over a 12-round sequence. Rounds 1–5 and 7–12 establish the rib-and-cable framework with knit and purl columns, while Round 6 introduces the cable cross. This 12-round repeat is worked six times in total, producing 72 rounds and approximately 46 cm of height before the bobble and finishing rounds are added. The total stitch count on the needle is 114 stitches, which divides evenly into six 19-stitch repeats around the circumference.

Gauge (Maschenprobe)

Worked with a double strand in the main cable pattern, the gauge is 12–13 stitches and 15–16 rounds over 10 cm × 10 cm. Checking gauge before beginning is recommended, as the double-stranding and large needle size mean that small variations can significantly affect the finished dimensions.

Materials