“Seelenwärmer” Cape in Schachenmayr Soft Mix - S9606

Seelenwärmer Cape – Free Knitting Pattern S9606 by Schachenmayr

The Seelenwärmer Cape (pattern code S9606) is a free downloadable knitting pattern by Schachenmayr that produces a cosy, wrap-style cape with a soulful, enveloping silhouette — the German word Seelenwärmer translates loosely as "soul warmer," perfectly capturing the garment's character. The construction is refreshingly straightforward: the cape begins as a simple rectangle and is shaped entirely through a clever folding and partial seaming technique, making it an accessible project for knitters who are comfortable with basic stitch patterns and finishing.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a rectangular cape or poncho-style wrap measuring 110 cm wide by 100 cm long before finishing. Once blocked, the rectangle is folded in half to create a double-layered panel of 110 cm × 50 cm. The two short edges are then seamed from the open cast-on and cast-off edges toward the fold line for 30 cm on each side. The remaining 20 cm on each short edge is left open to form armhole openings, giving the cape its wearable, draped shape without the need for complex shaping, increases, or decreases.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting on circular needles: The rectangle is worked back and forth in rows on a Milward 6.0 mm circular needle, which comfortably accommodates the large stitch count of 143 stitches across the full width.
• Casting on and binding off: 143 stitches are cast on to begin; the final row is bound off knitwise on the return row.
• Folding and seaming: The shaped silhouette is achieved purely through folding the blocked rectangle and mattress-stitching or whipstitching the short sides partially closed using a Milward tapestry/wool needle.
• Blocking: The finished rectangle is pinned to measurements, dampened, and left to dry — an essential step for this yarn blend to even out the texture and open up the stitch pattern.
• Crab stitch crochet edging (Krebsmaschen): A decorative edging is worked using a Milward 5.0 mm crochet hook. Crab stitch — also known as reverse single crochet — is worked backwards from left to right, creating a neat, rope-like border. Each stitch is begun by inserting the hook into the stitch to the right of the working position, pulling through a loop, and completing a slip stitch to finish the round.

Stitches Used

• Kleines Perlmuster (Small Seed Stitch / Small Pearl Stitch): This is the primary stitch pattern used throughout the entire rectangle. It requires an odd number of stitches and is worked over a single repeating row: knit one stitch, purl one stitch alternately across, ending with a knit stitch. This single row is repeated for the entire length of the piece. The result is a subtly textured, reversible fabric with a pebbly, pearl-like surface that lies flat and looks equally attractive on both sides — ideal for a wrap worn with either face visible.
• Garter stitch (Kraus rechts) — for gauge reference: The tension swatch is measured in three-strand garter stitch (all stitches knitted on every row), giving a gauge of 13 stitches and 21 rows to 10 cm × 10 cm on 6.0 mm needles. Knitters whose tension differs should adjust needle size accordingly.
• Krebsmaschen (Crab Stitch / Reverse Single Crochet): For the first stitch of the edging, the yarn is attached in the usual way and one chain stitch is worked. Subsequent stitches are made by inserting the hook into the next stitch to the right of the insertion point, drawing through a loop, and completing a firm stitch. Each round or row ends with a slip stitch into the last stitch.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Schachenmayr Soft Mix, a D