Man’s Sweater in Schachenmayr Catania - S7380A

Man's Sweater in Schachenmayr Catania – S7380A Knitting Pattern Overview

This free downloadable knitting pattern (S7380A) from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic men's pullover sweater, offered in three sizes: 46/48, 50/52, and 54/56. Designed with a structured, textured aesthetic, this project is well-suited to knitters who are comfortable working from a stitch chart and managing multiple pattern repeats simultaneously. The finished garment is a substantial, handsome sweater ideal for everyday wear.

Design and Construction

The sweater is knitted in separate pieces — at minimum a back panel (Rückenteil) — which are then seamed together. Construction begins at the lower edge with a ribbed welt band worked for 7 cm (approximately 25 rows), after which stitches are increased evenly across the final row of ribbing to transition into the main body pattern. This shaping technique creates a smooth, professional transition between the tighter welt and the more open textured body of the garment.

The body of the sweater features a combination of stitch patterns worked simultaneously, giving the finished piece a rich, dimensional surface. The stitch count for the back panel begins at 135 (147/159) stitches for the three respective sizes, increasing to 156 (168/180) stitches after the welt increases are worked.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Rib Pattern (Rippenmuster)

The lower welt of the sweater is worked in a rib stitch pattern, which provides elasticity and a neat, fitted edge. Ribbing is a foundational knitting technique alternating knit and purl stitches in columns, causing the fabric to draw in and spring back — ideal for cuffs, hems, and neckbands on menswear.

Cable Pattern (Zopfmuster)

A prominent feature of this sweater is its cable knitting (Zopfmuster). The pattern specifies cables worked over 12 stitches, each measuring 3.5 cm wide. Cable knitting involves crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, creating the characteristic twisted rope or braid effect. Cables add visual interest and a traditional, masculine quality to knitwear.

Structural / Texture Pattern (Strukturmuster)

Alongside the cables, the sweater body incorporates a texture stitch pattern (Strukturmuster) worked from a stitch chart. Only the right-side (RS) rows are charted; on wrong-side (WS) rows, all stitches are worked as they appear — a standard convention in European knitting patterns. The texture pattern repeats over 12 rows, creating a repeating surface design that complements the cables.

Reverse Stockinette (Glatt Links)

Sections of the sweater are worked in reverse stockinette stitch (glatt links), where purl stitches form the right side of the fabric. This creates a smooth, matte background that allows the cables and texture stitches to stand out in sharp relief.

Twisted Make-One Increases (Verschränkt aus dem Querfaden zunehmen)

The pattern uses a specific increase technique — twisted lifted increases from the bar between stitches (rechts verschränkt aus dem Querfaden zunehmen) — to add stitches neatly and without holes when transitioning from the welt to the body. This is a clean, nearly invisible increase method commonly used in structured garment knitting.

Gauge (Maschenprobe)

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper sizing. The pattern specifies the following over a 10 x 10 cm swatch:

• Rib pattern: 28 stitches and 36 rows
• Reverse stockinette: 26 stitches and 36 rows
• Texture / structural pattern: 28 stitches and 36 rows
• Cable (12 stitches): 3.5 cm wide

Knitters are strongly encouraged to work a gauge swatch before beginning, as differences in tension can significantly affect the finished dimensions of the garment.