Damentop in Schachenmayr Violena - G1642 - Downloadable PDF

Damentop in Schachenmayr Violena – Free Knitting Pattern G1642

This free downloadable knitting pattern (G1642) from Schachenmayr guides knitters through creating a beautifully fitted women's sleeveless summer top with elegant adjustable straps. Worked in the lightweight Schachenmayr Violena yarn, this design is ideal for warm-weather wear and showcases a refined textured stitch pattern throughout. The pattern is available in three sizes: 34/36, 40/42, and 44, making it accessible to a range of knitters.

About the Design

The top features a classic, flattering silhouette achieved through deliberate waist shaping on both the back and front panels. The body is shaped by decreasing and then increasing stitches at regular intervals to create a natural waist, giving the finished garment a tailored, feminine fit. Above the waist, the fabric transitions into armhole shaping, and the neckline is formed by casting off a generous number of stitches at the center. The remaining shoulder stitches are worked upward as narrow straps, which are then joined using a neat knitted cast-off technique and fastened with two decorative buttons sewn into position above the front neckline.

Construction Details

• Back panel: Cast on 99 (111/123) stitches and work one wrong-side row, then continue in the main stitch pattern. Waist shaping begins after 7 rows, with stitches cast off on both sides — first 1 stitch once, then 1 stitch every 4th row, 8 times, reducing to 81 (93/105) stitches. At 18 cm height, stitches are increased symmetrically — 1 stitch once, then 1 stitch every 6th row, 8 more times — returning to 99 (111/123) stitches.
• Armhole shaping: At 38 cm height, armhole shaping begins. Stitches are cast off at both sides — 4 (5/7) stitches once, then 1 stitch every 2nd row, 10 (12/14) times — leaving 71 (77/81) stitches.
• Neckline and straps: At 44 (46/47) cm height, 8 stitches are placed on hold on each side for the straps, while the central 55 (61/65) stitches are cast off to form the neckline. Each set of 8 strap stitches is then worked straight for approximately 11 (12/13) cm before being placed on hold.
• Front panel: Worked identically to the back panel.
• Finishing: Both panels are blocked by pinning to shape and drying under damp cloths. The straps are joined right sides together by knitting one stitch from each needle together simultaneously and casting off. Side seams are sewn closed. Two buttons are sewn approximately 2 cm above the front neckline, centered on the straps.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The pattern uses two key stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest and structure. The main pattern (Grundmuster) is introduced at the cast-on and forms the body of the fabric. A seed stitch or moss stitch pattern (Perlmuster) is introduced at the armhole level and continues through the upper body and straps, adding a delicate, pebbly texture that complements the drape of the yarn.

Stitches Used

• Main pattern (Grundmuster): A charted repeat of 12 stitches plus 1 plus 2 edge stitches, read from a stitch chart. Right-side rows are read from right to left, wrong-side rows from left to right. Rows 1–6 are worked once, then rows 7–20 are repeated throughout.
• Seed stitch / Perlmuster: Used for the upper body and straps, creating a textured, reversible fabric surface.
• Edge stitches (Randmaschen): Maintained consistently on both sides of the work to ensure clean, seam-ready selvedges.
• Decreases: Edge stitches are worked together with the adjacent stitch on the knit side (knitting together through the back