The patterns formed by light and shadow in and on buildings fascinates me. The less ornamentation, the better. With just a touch of sunlight here and there, walls, windows, corners, and staircases transmute into an abstract and minimalist composition.

The Jigzag cowl is inspired by this play of lines and contrast in architecture, with its jigsaw puzzles of surfaces and openings, lines, corners, zigzags, and junctions. The Jigzag cowl sports a mosaic stitch pattern reminiscent of crisscrossing architectural features and a textured striped pattern for added fun. One slightly variegated colorway creates extra depth and variation. Come explore the mesmerizing lines, lights and shadows of the city!

Jigzag is worked with easy and fun mosaic knitting using two colorways, one of which being slightly variegated. The cowl is worked flat and then joined in the round seamlessly with either kitchener or a three-needle bind-off (there are tutorials for mosaic-knitting, kitchener, and the three-needle bind-off). The pattern gives suggestions to work the cowl as a scarf.

Did you always want to try out mosaic knitting? Then this pattern is for you! The Jigzag cowl pattern comes with a video tutorial to learn how to work mosaic stitches and how to read mosaic charts. Of course, the written instructions are also included so that you can choose and have the Jigzag cowl your way. And if you’d like to try more mosaic knitting, be sure to check out the Townhouse cowl and the Urbanology cowl!

For best effect, use a yarn without texture (no bumps, fluff, loops, coils, etc.). I’d recommend either a single or a round plied yarn. Yarn weights ranging from fingering to Super Bulky would be suitable. As for colorways, I would recommend using a neutral solid yarn and in combination with a tonal variegated yarn. You can of course also use two solid colors, or one solid color and a smooth gradient. Just make sure that your two yarns have enough (value) contrast so that the mosaic pattern pops.

Yarns
Garnstudio DROPS Snow (Super Bulky; 100% Wool; 50 meters / 55 yards per 50 grams); MC: 3 balls, CC: 3 balls; sample uses 146 grams in color 01 Off White (MC) and 137 grams in color 19 Spice (CC).

Needles
9 mm (US size 13) 100 cm / 40 inches circular needle or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge
10.5 stitches and 21 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Garter stitch, unblocked.
11 stitches and 13.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, blocked.
11 stitches and 22 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stitch pattern B – Stairway, blocked.
Note: obtaining the gauge given is not crucial but will affect the finished size and the yardage needed.

Notions
Stitch markers: 4 (optional). Waste yarn (or spare circular needle cable). Shorter cable (60 cm / 24 inches) for the working needle. Spare 9 mm (US size 13) needle for grafting (or three-needle BO).Tapestry needle.

Size
One; easily customizable.

Final measurements
Circumference (c): 102 cm / 40 inches, height (h): 35 cm / 13.75 inches.

Skill level
Basic stitches, slipped stitches. Mosaic knitting. Stitch pattern requiring some attention. Easy patterning on all rows. Provisional CO. Grafting (or three-needle BO). Video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used.

Pattern notes
This pattern is worked flat and sideways. Suggestions are given to customize the pattern.
Charts and written instructions are provided as well as clear video tutorials for the used stitches and techniques.

Pattern support
For questions about this pattern, please PM me on Ravelry or send me an email. Contact details are provided.

Thank you note
I’d like to send a big thank you to my truly awesome test knitters on Ravelry: canopycraft, kallyknits. Thanks a lot for your time and dedication, for helping me make this pattern even better and for showing how the pattern would look like with different yarns!

Want to get a free cowl? Read on!

We all love knitting, right?! I certainly do! I’d like to gift you a cowl and doing so spread the love for knitting even more :-) This gift is available to everyone.

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