Sports Shoes in Schachenmayr Baby Wool - S8643B

Knitted Sports Shoes in Schachenmayr Baby Wool – Pattern S8643B

This free downloadable PDF pattern, design reference S8643B from Schachenmayr, guides knitters through the construction of a pair of charming knitted sports shoes. Styled to resemble miniature athletic trainers, these shoes are a delightful project for anyone looking to create a handmade gift or accessory, particularly suited to baby or small sizes given the yarn choice. The pattern is worked in Schachenmayr Baby Wool, a 4-ply weight yarn, in two colours: Himmelblau (sky blue) and Weiß (white), which together give the finished shoe its sporty, two-tone appearance.

Construction Method and Structure

The sports shoes are knitted using a top-down and sectional construction approach, beginning with the shaft (the upper cuff of the shoe) and working methodically through each structural section of the footwear. This method of building a shoe in knitting is a satisfying technique that produces a three-dimensional result without the need for complex seaming or assembly. The pattern is written in German, consistent with the Schachenmayr brand's European origins.

Shaft and Upper

Construction begins with the shaft, where between 38 and 42 stitches are cast on in Himmelblau. The work opens with 13 to 15 rows of stocking stitch (knitted flat, beginning with a purl row), forming the cuff of the shoe. The pattern then divides the stitches strategically to shape the upper of the shoe:

• The first 6 to 7 stitches form the right side of the shoe upper
• The central 26 to 28 stitches are held for the heel section
• The final 6 to 7 stitches form the left side of the shoe upper

Each side of the upper is worked separately in Himmelblau over 8 to 10 rows of stocking stitch, with stitches placed on hold between sections. This short-row-style division creates the shaped sides of the shoe's instep.

Toe Section

Once both upper side sections are complete, their stitches — totalling 12 to 14 stitches — are brought together onto a single needle. The toe of the shoe is then worked flat in stocking stitch for a further 8 to 10 rows in Himmelblau, followed by 2 rows in Weiß, introducing the contrasting white stripe that gives the shoe its sporty character. The toe section continues in Weiß, creating a clean colour-block effect at the front of the shoe.

Sole and Heel Integration

After the toe is shaped, the pattern reconnects all sections of the shoe. Stitches are picked up from the side edges of the upper sections, and the held heel stitches (26 to 28 stitches) are reintroduced and worked together with the picked-up stitches to form the sole and heel of the shoe. This integrated approach ensures a neat, structured finish without excessive seaming.

Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (glatt rechts) worked flat — the primary stitch throughout the entire pattern
• Casting on a set number of stitches to begin the shaft
• Holding stitches (stilllegen) — sections of stitches are placed on hold while adjacent sections are worked, a key structural technique in this pattern
• Picking up stitches from row edges (herausstricken) — used to connect the upper sides to the toe and sole sections seamlessly
• Two-colour knitting — alternating between Himmelblau and Weiß at specific points to create the sports shoe colour detail
• Sectional construction — dividing and rejoining stitch groups to build the three-dimensional shoe shape