Kinderwest in Schachenmayr Trachetenwolle - 5430 - Downloadable PDF

Kinderwest in Schachenmayr Trachtenwolle – Children's and Women's Waistcoat Knitting Pattern (Free PDF Download)

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Schachenmayr presents a traditional-style waistcoat design — known in German as a Kinderwest — worked in the brand's classic Trachtenwolle yarn. The pattern covers two distinct versions: a children's waistcoat and a women's waistcoat, both featuring decorative panel work rooted in Central European folk costume tradition. Each garment is knitted flat in separate pieces and seamed, making this an excellent project for knitters who enjoy structured, heritage-inspired knitwear.

Yarn and Materials

Both versions of this waistcoat are designed specifically for Schachenmayr Trachtenwolle, a worsted weight yarn well suited to structured garment knitting. The pattern references the colourway Sisal mel for the women's version, giving the finished piece a warm, natural, heathered appearance in keeping with its traditional aesthetic. Needles in sizes 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm are recommended, and knitters should work a tension swatch before beginning.

• Yarn: Schachenmayr Trachtenwolle
• Colourway referenced: Sisal mel
• Yarn weight: Worsted
• Needle size: 3.5 mm – 4.5 mm

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension for this pattern is 19 stitches and 27 rows to 10 × 10 cm, measured over the mixed stitch pattern (Mustermix) using needles in the recommended size range. Achieving the correct tension is particularly important for this garment, as the decorative stitch panels are worked over a fixed number of stitches and the shaping calculations depend on an accurate stitch count.

Women's Waistcoat (Damenweste)

Construction and Shaping

The women's waistcoat is offered in three sizes and is knitted in separate pieces — a back and two fronts — which are then seamed together. The back piece begins with a cast-on of 94, 100, or 108 stitches in Sisal mel, depending on the chosen size. The stitch layout across the back is carefully structured, with edge stitches flanking alternating sections of reverse stocking stitch (glatt links) and decorative pattern panels (Musterstreifen), each panel spanning 28 stitches.

The layout from edge to edge reads: selvedge stitch, 14/16/19 stitches in reverse stocking stitch, a 28-stitch pattern panel, 8/10/12 stitches in reverse stocking stitch, a second 28-stitch pattern panel, 14/16/19 stitches in reverse stocking stitch, and a final selvedge stitch. This symmetrical arrangement gives the garment its characteristic textured, panel-based appearance.

Armhole and Neck Shaping

Armhole shaping begins at a height of 28 cm (76 rows). Stitches are cast off at both sides: first 5 stitches, then in every second row 2 × 3 stitches and 2 × 1 stitch, reducing the stitch count to 68, 74, or 82 stitches. The neckline shaping begins at 49 cm (132 rows), where the central 20 stitches are cast off and further decreases are worked on each side — 1 × 3 stitches and 1 × 2 stitches in every second row. The remaining shoulder stitches — 19, 22, or 26 per side — are then worked to the final height of 51 cm.

Children's Waistcoat (Kinderwest)