Top in Schachenmayr Catania Color - S7382 - Downloadable PDF

Top in Schachenmayr Catania Color – S7382 Knitting Pattern Summary

This free downloadable PDF pattern (S7382) from Schachenmayr provides instructions for knitting a stylish, lightweight summer top featuring elegant lace panels and thoughtful shaping. The design is worked in three sizes — 36/38, 40/42, and 44/46 — making it a versatile project for a range of figures. With its combination of openwork detailing and classic stocking stitch, this top strikes a balance between decorative interest and wearable simplicity, making it an excellent project for knitters with intermediate experience.

Design Overview

The top is constructed in two main pieces — a front panel and a back panel — both worked flat and then seamed. The silhouette is carefully shaped at the waist to create a flattering, fitted look, with increases and decreases worked in relation to the vertical lace (ajour) stripes that run through the fabric. The neckline on the back is higher than on the front, where a deeper neckline is worked for a more open, summery aesthetic. Armhole shaping is also built into both pieces, giving the finished garment a neat, structured fit.

Garment Shaping and Construction

The pattern includes detailed row-by-row instructions for achieving a tailored waist. Shaping begins at the hem border (Blende) and involves:

• Waist decreases: Starting in row 7 and then every 20th row, stitches are decreased four at a time by working the two stitches immediately before and after each lace stripe together, reducing the stitch count to 86 (96/105) stitches.
• Waist increases: Stitches are then restored through twisted make-one increases worked from the horizontal thread (verschränkt aus dem Querfaden), adding four stitches in two separate increase rows to return to 94 (104/113) stitches.
• Armhole shaping: At 43 cm from the border, armholes are shaped on both sides with a series of cast-offs over multiple rows — initially casting off 4 stitches, then 2 stitches three times, followed by single-stitch decreases, and finally further decreases every fourth row.
• Back neckline: At approximately 59–61 cm in height, the central stitches are placed on hold and each shoulder section is finished separately, with additional cast-offs shaping the neck curve.
• Front neckline: The front neckline is deeper, beginning earlier in the row count to create a more open front.
• Total garment height: Approximately 62–64 cm depending on size.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on a combination of knitting techniques that make it both visually interesting and structurally sound:

• Lace / Ajour knitting: Vertical lace stripes (Ajourmuster) run through the fabric, each panel consisting of 19 stitches. These openwork columns are a defining feature of the top's design and require familiarity with yarn-overs and decreases to create the eyelet effect.
• Stocking stitch (glatt links / glatt rechts): The areas between the lace panels are worked in smooth stocking stitch, providing a clean contrast to the openwork sections.
• Integrated waist shaping: Decreases and increases are worked in direct relationship to the lace stripes, using links zusammenstricken (knitting two stitches together through the left leg) and twisted increases from the horizontal thread, requiring attention to pattern placement.
• Flat knitting with seaming: Both front and back are worked flat as separate pieces before being joined.
• Stepped cast-offs: Used at armholes and necklines to create smooth, gradual curves.
• Stitch holding: Central neckline stitches are placed on hold (stilllegen) while each shoulder section is completed independently.

Stitches Used

• Ajour / Lace pattern (Ajourmuster): A 19-stitch openwork repeat forming the decorative vertical stripes