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Whether you are a first time colorwork knitter or this is your 20th colorwork, the Zig Zag Pullover is an easy-to-wear pullover. This pattern features a hybrid circular-raglan construction to put fabric just where you need it after the colorwork is complete.

The finished sweater has an oversized sweatshirt-like fit. Even though I love styling it with a pleated skirt, it would be equally stylish with jeans or leggings. This pattern also features a free hat pattern as a companion, which can be used to achieve gauge.

You can find the free hat pattern to use for a usable swatch here.

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Size Selection

Sizes A (B, C, D) (E, F, G) (H, I, J) to fit upper bust measurements of 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) (44, 47.25, 50.5) (53.75, 57, 60.25)” / 78.5 (87, 95.5, 103.5) (112, 120, 128.5) (136.5, 145, 153) cm.

Select a size based on the upper bust measurement, but it is also graded for full bust measurements of 30 (34, 38, 42) (46, 50, 54) (58, 62, 66)” / 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) (117, 127, 137) (147.5, 157.5, 167.5) cm. 

Finished chest circumferences of: 36.25 (40, 44.25, 48) (52.25, 56, 60.25) (64, 68.25, 72)” / 90.5 (100, 110.5, 120) (130.5, 140, 150.5) (160, 170.5, 180) cm. 

The designer is wearing Size B. Their measurements: 32.5” / 82.5 cm upper bust and 34” / 86.5 cm full bust, with 11” / 28 cm upper arm.

Gauge

19 sts and 27 rnds = 4 x 4” / 10 x 10 cm knit in the round with Needle A in Stockinette Stitch and Needle B in colorwork chart.

Yarn Selection

Use a worsted weight yarn that has bloom to create a cohesive fabric in colorwork. We used Gilliatt by De Rerum Natura (270 yards / 250 meters / 100g / 100% French and Portuguese merino woolen spun yarn).

Yardage

MC (Main Color):
4 (5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7) (7, 8, 8) balls of Gilliatt in the colorway Sel

OR 1075 (1175, 1275, 1375) (1500, 1650, 1750) (1850, 2000, 2075) yards / 975 (1075, 1150, 1250) (1375, 1500, 1600) (1675, 1825, 1900) meters of worsted weight yarn.

CC (Contrast Colors):
1 ball each of Gilliatt in the colorway Argile (CC 1), Dore (CC 2), and Caramel (CC 3)

OR 35 (35, 35, 40) (40, 40, 45) (45, 45, 45) yards / 30 (30, 30, 35) (35, 35, 40) (40, 40, 40) meters of each colorway.
If working 1 CC instead of 3, use 105 (105, 105, 120) (120, 120, 135) (135, 135, 135) yards / 95 (95, 95, 110) (110, 110, 125) (125, 125, 125) meters of CC.

Bust Darts (optional)

15 (15, 20, 20) (20, 25, 25) (25, 30, 30) yards/meters of MC are required for every inch of bust darts added.

Needles

A (Main Fabric): US 6 / 4 mm circular needles in 16” / 40 cm, 32-60” / 80-150 cm to match body circumference, and DPN’s or method to work small circumferences.

B (Colorwork): US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needles in 40-60” / 100-150 cm for yoke circumference.

C (Ribbing): US 4 /3.5 mm circular needles in the same lengths as main fabric.

Colorwork gauge is variable depending on the person. On the sample, we used one size up from Needle A to match the Stockinette gauge. Swatch the colorwork to find out what needle size you require to get the same gauge.

Notions

Unique marker for beginning of round, 4 more stitch markers for raglan repeats, waste yarn, spare needle for tubular cast on (optional), tapestry needle.

Construction Notes

• Sweater is worked top down, seamlessly, and with a hybrid circular yoke construction. After colorwork is completed, the circular yoke converts to a raglan to complete yoke shaping. Sleeves and body are separated and worked top down. Finally, the neckband is picked up and finished last.

• Working the colorwork with caught floats every inch or so is recommended. Practice this skill on a swatch if you are not familiar with it. On the sample, we used jacquard ladderback method.

• Work colorwork with the CC’s held in the left hand for color dominance.

• Colorwork may be worked with combinations of 1-3 contrast colors (ie. CC1-CC2-CC3, CC1 only, or CC1-CC2-CC1 arrangements). If you are new to colorwork, working only 1 contrast color is recommended.

• The colorwork is charted only on this pattern. No written version is available.

Credits

Tech Editor: Heather Storta
Photos: Lindsey Tyler

Pattern Support

support@aimeeshermakes.com

Formats and Accessibility

• Large format pattern file included, with 22 pt Avenir Next font (a sans serif font), black text on white background, and no italic formatting text.