Jacket in Schachenmayr Universa - 5404

Free Knitting Pattern: Baby/Toddler Jacket in Schachenmayr Universa (Pattern 5404)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern (pattern number 5404) from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic knitted jacket designed for babies and toddlers. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and covers multiple sizes to suit different stages of early childhood growth. It is worked in Schachenmayr Universa, a popular DK weight yarn well suited to children's garments.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a structured, seamless-style knitted jacket for young children. Based on the sizing references within the PDF — including size groups 62/68, 74/80, and a third size — this jacket is intended for babies and toddlers typically ranging from newborn through to approximately 12–18 months of age. The jacket features:

• Front panels — a right front piece and a left front piece, worked separately after dividing at the armhole
• A back panel — worked to match the front pieces with corresponding armhole shaping
• Armhole shaping — achieved through structured decreases on both sides
• Neckline shaping — with cast-offs and gradual decreases to form a neat neck opening
• Shoulder shaping — worked with angled decreases to create a clean, professional shoulder line

Construction and Techniques

The jacket is constructed flat, with the body pieces knitted back and forth in rows. The lower body is worked as a single joined piece up to the point where the work is divided for the armholes. At that division point — reached at heights of 16.5 / 18.5 / 20.5 cm (corresponding to 71 / 81 / 89 rows depending on size) — the stitches are separated into three sections: the right front, the back, and the left front, each worked independently from that point onward.

Key construction techniques used in this pattern include:

• Dividing the work — splitting the body into front and back sections at the armhole height, with stitches cast off at each underarm
• Armhole shaping — decreases worked over several right-side rows; specifically, 2 stitches are decreased once, followed by 1 stitch decreased twice on each armhole edge
• Neckline shaping — beginning at heights of 24 / 28 / 32 cm (103 / 121 / 137 rows), with an initial cast-off of 5 / 6 / 6 stitches, then further decreases of 2 stitches twice and additional single-stitch decreases worked every other row
• Shoulder shaping — angled shaping beginning at heights of 27.5 / 31.5 / 35.5 cm (119 / 137 / 153 rows), with stitches cast off in stepped groups across alternate rows
• Mirror shaping — the left and right front pieces are worked as mirror images of each other, a standard technique in garment knitting to ensure symmetry

The total finished height of the jacket varies by size, reaching 29 / 33 / 37 cm across the three sizes. The back panel is finished last, with armhole shaping applied symmetrically on both sides to match the front pieces.

Stitches Used

While the PDF excerpt focuses primarily on shaping and construction instructions, the pattern is characteristic of a straightforward knitted jacket worked in standard knitting stitches typical of Schachenmayr patterns at this level. Stitches and techniques referenced or implied include:

• Knit and purl stitches — the foundation of the fabric construction
• Casting off (abketten) — used extensively for armhole, neckline, and shoulder shaping
• Row-by-row decreases — worked every second row (every other row) for gradual, smooth shaping at armholes and neck edges

Sizing

The pattern covers three sizes, with the instructions for each size presented in a standard slash format throughout the PDF. The size groups referenced are 62/