Schachenmayr Knitting Patterns

German design, year-round wardrobe

Schachenmayr's pattern range is unusually balanced between seasons. Where many brand libraries are overwhelmingly winter, a large share of these designs are written for Catania and Catania Fine — mercerised cotton — which means summer tops, lace-panelled cardigans, seed stitch pullovers and light shirts you can wear in July. The winter side is covered by Merino Extrafine 120 and 170, Bravo Baby and the tweedy and multicoloured bases, and the baby designs run from a sweater with a star motif to a cabled sweater and hat set.

The yarn bases behind the patterns

• Catania and Catania Fine: mercerised cotton with crisp stitch definition, ideal for lace and summer garments.
• Bravo Baby and Baby Smiles: soft, washable baby yarns for cot-side knits.
• Merino Extrafine 120 and 170: smooth merino at two weights for children's and adults' pullovers, hats and cardigans.
• Denim Tweed: flecked, casual texture used in the Isidora shirt and Haylie top-down shirt.
• Rugiada: a softer, drapier base behind the Calla cardigan and Beryll tunic.
• Bravo Color and Duo Multicolore: self-patterning yarns for scarves, shawls and sleeveless tops with no colour changes to manage.

Working from continental instructions

These patterns are translated and are generally very precise, but they think differently from British ones in a few useful ways. Measurements are metric throughout, tension is usually given over a 10cm square in the stated pattern, and sizes are quoted as garment measurements rather than dress sizes, which is more helpful once you get used to it. Schematics are common; read them first, because the finished chest, length and sleeve figures tell you more about the fit than any photograph. Where a design is worked top-down, such as the Haylie shirt, you can try it on as you go and adjust the length before the hem.

Knitting with mercerised cotton

Catania rewards a slightly firmer hand. Cotton has no elasticity, so loose stitches never spring back and a garment knitted too loosely will grow with wear and washing. Use a smooth needle — bamboo can drag on mercerised cotton — and take breaks, because the lack of give is harder on the hands than wool. Lace worked in cotton is a genuine pleasure, though: the stitch definition is sharp, the yarn overs stay open and blocking sets the fabric neatly. Weigh your remaining yarn before starting a second sleeve; cotton is heavier than wool for the same length, so ball counts are unforgiving.

Finishing, seasons and care

Block everything before seaming. Cotton pieces block flat and stay flat, which makes them easy to seam accurately; merino blooms and softens. Baby knits in Bravo Baby generally machine wash, which is the whole point of the base — say so on the gift tag. Summer cotton tops should be dried flat rather than hung, because the weight of wet cotton stretches the shoulders permanently. For woollens, fold and store clean. The children's designs here scale nicely as gifts: a pullover with a hood or a star motif is quick to knit and instantly recognisable as handmade.

Schachenmayr pattern questions

Are Schachenmayr patterns free? Many are free PDF downloads; some newer designs are paid, and the price is shown on each listing.

What is Catania yarn? A mercerised cotton in a wide shade range, used in most of the summer designs in this collection.

Are the patterns in English? The listings here are English-language PDFs with metric measurements.

Which pattern suits a confident beginner? A Catania top worked in a single stitch pattern, or a Bravo Baby hat, before moving to lace and cables.

Can I substitute yarn? Yes, matching weight and metreage, but keep cotton designs in cotton and wool designs in wool to preserve the drape the designer intended.