Damen-Loop, Beaniemütze & Beinstulpen in SMC Select Extra Soft Merino Color - 1687AB - Downloadable PDF

Damen-Loop, Beaniemütze & Beinstulpen – Free Knitting Pattern in SMC Select Extra Soft Merino Color (Design 1687)

This free downloadable PDF from Schachenmayr (Design 1687) presents a coordinated set of three women's knitted accessories: a loop cowl (Damen-Loop), a beanie hat (Beaniemütze), and a pair of leg warmers (Beinstulpen). All three pieces are worked in the same luxurious yarn and share a unified aesthetic, making them ideal as a matching winter accessory set. The pattern is rated as a free download and is suitable for knitters comfortable with working in the round and managing basic shaping techniques.

Yarn and Materials

All three accessories are knitted using SMC Select Extra Soft Merino Color, a 100% Merino wool (superwash) yarn from Schachenmayr. This DK-weight yarn has a running length of approximately 130 metres per 50 g skein and is specified in the colourway Grau/Schwarz (Grey/Black), shade 05287 — a tonal, self-striping or colour-gradient shade that adds visual interest without requiring any colour changes by the knitter. The superwash treatment makes the finished pieces machine washable, a practical advantage for everyday accessories.

• Beanie hat: 150 g (approximately 3 skeins)
• Loop cowl: 250 g (approximately 5 skeins)
• Leg warmers: 250 g (approximately 5 skeins)

Needles specified are Milward circular needles in lengths of 40 cm, 60 cm, and 80 cm, as well as a double-pointed needle set (Nadelspiel), size 3–4 mm. The use of multiple circular needle lengths allows the knitter to switch comfortably as stitch counts decrease during crown shaping on the hat.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern employs a small, clearly defined set of stitch patterns that are repeated across all three accessories, creating a cohesive look throughout the set.

Rib Stitch (Bündchenmuster)

A classic 2×2 rib — two knit stitches alternating with two purl stitches — is used for cuffs and edgings. This elastic stitch pattern provides a snug, stretchy fit at the openings of the hat and leg warmers, helping them stay in place during wear.

Stockinette in the Round (Glatt rechts)

Worked entirely as knit stitches in every round, this produces a smooth, flat stockinette fabric when knitting in the round. It is used as a transitional or structural element within the pieces.

Main Pattern (Grundmuster)

The primary stitch pattern alternates 8 rounds of purl stitches with 8 rounds of knit stitches, creating a textured, ridged fabric with a subtle horizontal stripe effect. When combined with the self-striping Grau/Schwarz colourway, this pattern produces a visually dynamic surface texture. The gauge for this pattern is measured slightly stretched lengthwise, reflecting its natural elasticity.

Increases

The pattern uses twisted make-one increases (described as knitting twisted from the horizontal bar between stitches — rechts verschränkt aus dem Querfaden stricken), which create neat, nearly invisible increases that avoid holes in the fabric.

Decreases

For the beanie crown shaping, k2tog decreases (right-leaning, worked at marked stitch positions) are used to shape the top of the hat. These are repeated at regular intervals across multiple decrease rounds.

Beanie Hat (Beaniemütze)

The beanie is designed to fit a head circumference of approximately 56 cm. It is worked in the round from the brim upward. The cast-on begins with 104 stitches on the short circular needle, and the brim is worked for 5 cm in 2×2 rib. After one plain kn