Sweater with Buttons in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 170 - 5573

Sweater with Buttons in Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 170 – Free Knitting Pattern (PDF Download)

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic raglan-style sweater with buttons, worked in the brand's popular Merino Extrafine 170 yarn. The pattern is offered in three sizes — 36/38, 40/42, and 44/46 — making it suitable for a range of adult figures. With its clean lines, ribbed cuffs and hem, and elegant raglan shaping, this sweater is a timeless wardrobe staple that suits both intermediate and experienced knitters.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a fitted pullover sweater with button fastenings, featuring a raglan sleeve construction. Raglan shaping is one of the most satisfying techniques in garment knitting: rather than a traditional set-in sleeve, the sleeve and body pieces are joined at a diagonal seam that runs from the underarm to the neckline, creating a smooth, comfortable shoulder line with excellent freedom of movement. The finished total height of the back piece measures 53 cm, 55 cm, or 57 cm depending on the chosen size.

Construction and Techniques

• Raglan shaping: The defining construction technique of this sweater. Decreases are worked on both sides of the back piece at the armhole to create the characteristic diagonal raglan line. The pattern specifies a precise sequence: after casting off 10 stitches on each side at 37 cm height to open the armhole, decreases of 2 stitches are worked every 6 rows once, then every 4th row 10, 11, or 11 times (depending on size), and finally every 2nd row 4, 6, or 9 times respectively.
• Directional decreasing: The pattern includes detailed instructions for both right-leaning and left-leaning decreases using a Hilfsnadel (cable or auxiliary needle). At the beginning of the row, stitches are placed on the auxiliary needle behind the work and knitted together with stitches from the left needle to create a right-leaning decrease. At the end of the row, stitches are placed on the auxiliary needle in front of the work and worked with a slip-and-pass-over method to create a left-leaning decrease. This mirrored approach gives the raglan shaping a neat, professional finish.
• Ribbing (Bündchenmuster): The lower edge is worked in a rib stitch pattern for approximately 13 cm before transitioning to the main body fabric. Ribbing creates a stretchy, self-finishing band that holds its shape and lies flat against the body.
• Stocking stitch (glatt rechts): The main body of the sweater is worked in smooth stocking stitch — knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — which produces the classic flat, even fabric associated with polished knitwear.
• Casting on and casting off: The back piece begins with a cast-on of 116 (128/140) stitches. Armhole shaping involves a cast-off of 10 stitches on each side, reducing the stitch count to 96 (108/120) stitches before the raglan decreases begin.
• Neckline finishing: After all raglan shaping is complete, the remaining 36 stitches are placed on hold for the neckline, a common technique that allows the collar or neckband to be picked up and worked separately for a clean finish.

Stitches Used

• Rib stitch (Bündchenmuster) — used for the welt and cuffs
• Stocking stitch / stockinette (glatt rechts) — used for the main body panels
• Directional paired decreases — right-leaning and left-leaning, worked with an auxiliary needle for the raglan shaping

Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 170