Red Shirt in Schachenmayr Micro Joy Color - Downloadable PDF

Red Shirt Knitting Pattern in Schachenmayr Micro Joy Color – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern provides instructions for a classic pullover shirt worked in a lace-effect stitch pattern, available in two women's sizes: 36/38 and 40/42. The design is knitted in the popular DK weight yarn Schachenmayr original Micro Joy Color, specifically in shade 00184 esprit color, a vibrant variegated colorway that gives the finished garment its eye-catching character. The pattern is written in German and is suitable for knitters with some experience in lace knitting and basic garment construction.

Garment Overview

The shirt features a relaxed, wearable silhouette with open armhole edges and a neat ribbed hem. Both the back and front pieces are knitted from the top down, which allows for easy length adjustments. The neckline shaping on the front piece is achieved by picking up stitches from the cast-on edge of the back piece and casting on new stitches simultaneously to create the characteristic curved neckline opening. Once both pieces are complete, the side seams are partially sewn together, leaving the upper portion open to form the armholes. The armhole edges are then finished with a single round of slip stitches worked in crochet, giving a clean, professional edge.

Construction Technique

The shirt is constructed in two flat pieces — a back and a front — each worked flat on straight needles from the top downward. This top-down approach is a practical construction method that makes it straightforward to try on the garment as you go and adjust the length before binding off. The pieces are seamed along the sides, leaving 18 (20) cm open at the top of each side seam to form the armhole openings. A crochet hook is used to finish the armhole edges with a single round of slip stitches (Kettmaschen), adding stability and a tidy appearance without the need for a knitted border.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Main Pattern (Grundmuster)

The body of the shirt is worked in a four-stitch lace repeat that creates a delicate, open texture well-suited to the variegated colorway. The stitch count must be a multiple of four plus two selvedge stitches. The pattern is worked over two rows:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Selvedge stitch, k2tog, yarn over, skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over), repeat from * to last stitch, selvedge stitch.
• Row 2 (Wrong Side): Selvedge stitch, purl 1, work the yarn over once through the back loop and once through the front loop, purl 1, repeat from *, selvedge stitch.

This combination of k2tog, yarn overs, and skpo decreases produces a subtle lace or eyelet fabric with a gentle ripple texture. Working the yarn over twice on the wrong side row expands the stitch count back to the original number, maintaining an even fabric throughout. The lace pattern is repeated for approximately 38 (40) cm on both pieces before transitioning to the ribbed border.

Rib Border Pattern (Bundmuster)

The lower hem of both pieces is worked in a four-stitch rib pattern on smaller needles for a neat, slightly elasticated finish. The sequence is: selvedge stitch, knit 1, purl 2, knit 1, repeat to last stitch, selvedge stitch. This rib section is worked for 14 cm on both the back and front pieces, giving the shirt a structured, well-defined lower edge.

Gauge and Tension

Accurate gauge is important for achieving the correct sizing. The pattern specifies two separate gauge swatches:

• Main lace pattern: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm, worked on needles size 3.5–4.
• Rib border pattern: 30 stitches and 34 rows = 10 x 10 cm, worked on needles size 3.

The tighter gauge of the rib pattern compared to the lace body is typical and intentional, as the smaller