Child’s Vest in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85 - S9058

Child's Vest Knitting Pattern – Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85 (Design S9058)

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic child's vest (Kinderpullunder) — a sleeveless pullover worked in a beautiful textured stitch pattern. Designed with a V-neck front and a rounded back neckline, this garment is an ideal layering piece for children, offering warmth without restricting arm movement. The pattern is rated beginner difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore simple stitch patterning.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern covers three size ranges, accommodating a wide span of children's clothing sizes:

• Size 1: 104/110
• Size 2: 116/122
• Size 3: 128/134

Instructions for each size are clearly differentiated throughout the pattern, listed in order from smallest to largest and separated by slashes. The total finished length ranges from 32 cm to 42 cm depending on size, making this a neat, fitted vest suitable for everyday wear.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85 in Royal (colour 00251) — a premium merino wool yarn in an aran weight. You will need 250 g for the smallest size and 300 g for the two larger sizes.
• Needles: One Milward circular needle, 5.5 mm, and one Milward double-pointed needle set (Nadelspiel), 5.5 mm — the circular needle is used for working flat pieces and finishing, while the double-pointed needles assist with neckband and edging worked in the round.
• Notions: A blunt-tipped tapestry needle (Wollsticknadel ohne Spitze) for seaming and weaving in ends.

Yarn Details – Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85

Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 85 is a high-quality yarn composed predominantly of fine merino wool, known for its softness against sensitive children's skin, excellent stitch definition, and reliable durability through repeated washing. Its aran weight gives the finished vest a satisfying drape and warmth while knitting up relatively quickly — ideal for a beginner-friendly project.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The vest is constructed using two key stitch patterns:

• Strukturmuster (Textured / Twisted Stitch Pattern): This is the main fabric stitch used throughout both the back and front pieces. It is worked over a stitch count divisible by 3, plus 2 edge stitches on each side. The pattern alternates between knit stitches and a twisted decrease worked with a yarn-over — specifically, stitches are knitted together through the back loop with a yarn-over to create a subtle, repeating texture. Row 1 sets up the pattern and Row 2 repeats the sequence of 2 knit stitches followed by the twisted yarn-over decrease. These two rows are repeated throughout. This stitch creates a visually interesting, slightly raised fabric with excellent elasticity.
• Kraus rechts (Garter Stitch in the Round): Used for the finishing edges and bands, garter stitch in the round is achieved by alternating one round of purl stitches with one round of knit stitches. This produces the characteristic ridged texture of garter stitch while working circularly — a useful technique for neckbands and armhole edgings.

Gauge / Tension

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper sizing. The stated tension for this pattern is:

• 16 stitches and 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm in the Strukturmuster (textured stitch pattern) using 5.5 mm needles.

Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch