The Zig Zag Along Hat is a pattern intended to teach the basics of colorwork. Happily, it doubles as a swatch for the Zig Zag Along Pullover or Cardigan.

If this is your first time working with colorwork, I recommend you use only 1 contrast color to avoid having to work 3 colors at once. Additionally, you’ll learn how to work colorwork while trapping floats in one of two ways (your choice).

This is a free pattern, available only on my website, as a courtesy to those knitting the garment versions of this pattern.

The Zig Zag Along Pullover is coming on August 26, while the cardigan is TBD.

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Size Selection

Sizes Kids (Adult S, Adult L) to fit head circumferences of 19 (21, 25)” / 47.5 (52.5, 62.5) cm. Finished circumferences: 15.25 (20.25, 25.25)” / 38 (50.5, 63) cm.

Finished length (adjustable) is 8.25 (8.75, 9)” / 20.5 (22, 22.5) cm.

Sample shown in Adult L for an oversized look.

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):
1 ball of Gilliatt in the colorway Sel OR 120 (170, 210) yards / 110 (150, 190) 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 15 (20, 20) yards or meters of each colorway.
If working 1 CC instead of 3, use 40 (55, 70) yards / 35 (50, 65) meters for CC.

Needles

A (Main Fabric): US 6 / 4 mm circular needles in 16” / 40 cm, and DPN’s or method to work small circumferences.
B (Colorwork): US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needles in 16” / 40 cm.
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, waste yarn, spare needle for tubular cast on (optional), tapestry needle, optional pom pom.

<h1>Construction Notes

• 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
Samples: Melissa Tinzmann
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.