Sweater in Schachenmayr Catania - 5368 - Downloadable PDF

Knitted Children's Sweater with Intarsia Butterfly Motif – Schachenmayr Catania Pattern 5368

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a charming children's sweater featuring a decorative butterfly (Schmetterling) intarsia motif on the front. The pattern is worked in Schachenmayr Catania, a popular sport-weight cotton yarn, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to create a lightweight, colourful garment suitable for warmer seasons. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF.

Garment Overview

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces – a back panel (Rückenteil) and a front panel (Vorderteil) – which are then seamed together. The design includes a decorative border (Bordüre) at the lower edge, ribbed cuffs, and a shaped neckline. The standout feature is a large butterfly motif worked in intarsia technique across the centre front, spanning 37 stitches and 34 rows, following a dedicated chart (Zählmuster B) included in the pattern.

Techniques Used

• Intarsia colourwork (Intarsientechnik): The butterfly motif on the front panel is worked using the intarsia method, where each distinct colour area is knitted with a separate ball of yarn. At every colour change, the yarns are twisted together on the wrong side of the work to prevent gaps. This technique creates a clean, non-stranded colourwork result ideal for large, isolated motifs.
• Stockinette stitch (glatt rechts): The main body of both the front and back panels is worked entirely in stockinette stitch, giving the fabric a smooth, flat surface that showcases the intarsia butterfly design effectively.
• Ribbing / Welt pattern (Bündchenmuster): The lower border section incorporates a ribbed or welt stitch pattern worked over approximately 8.5 cm, providing a neat, elasticated finish at the hem.
• Decorative border (Bordüre): A structured border section is knitted at the lower edge of both pieces, combining the rib pattern and stockinette rows to create a defined visual transition into the main body.
• Crochet appliqué (gehäkelt): The body of the butterfly is worked separately using crochet and then sewn onto the finished knitted fabric. This mixed-craft detail adds a charming three-dimensional element to the motif without complicating the knitted intarsia section.
• Neckline shaping: The neckline is shaped by casting off the centre stitches and then working symmetrical decreases on each side every second row, creating a classic rounded neck opening.
• Shoulder overlap (Untertritt): One shoulder features a small overlap extension of approximately 2 cm worked in stockinette, a practical construction detail that allows the garment to be put on and taken off easily – particularly useful for children's knitwear.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (glatt rechts) – used throughout the main body panels
• Ribbing or welt stitch (Bündchenmuster) – used at the lower border and cuffs
• Intarsia colourwork – used across the central 37 stitches of the front panel for the butterfly motif
• Crochet stitches – used to construct the butterfly body appliqué separately

Sizing and Construction Details

The pattern is written in three sizes, with stitch counts given as sets of three figures throughout (for example, 74 / 84 / 94 stitches cast on for the back panel). The back panel is cast on in Maigrün (May green) for the border section, then continued in Signalrot (signal red) for the main body. The neckline shaping begins after 19.5 / 23.5 / 27.5 cm from the border, with the centre 17 / 21 / 21 stitches cast off and further decreases worked over subsequent rows. The total body length from border to shoulder is