Zig Zag Knit Shawl in Bernat Pop! - Downloadable PDF

Zig Zag Knit Shawl in Bernat Pop! – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

This free, downloadable PDF pattern from Bernat guides knitters through creating a beautifully textured Zig Zag Knit Shawl — a generous, rectangular wrap that measures approximately 25" x 55" (63.5 cm x 139.5 cm) when finished. The design is rated Easy, making it an excellent project for beginner knitters who are ready to move beyond basic scarves and explore simple stitch patterning with a striking visual result.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a large, wearable shawl worked flat in rows on a circular knitting needle. Its elongated rectangular shape and generous dimensions make it versatile enough to drape over the shoulders, wrap around the neck, or style as a cozy accessory in cooler weather. The surface of the shawl features a repeating zig-zag texture running along the body, framed by neat seed stitch borders on all edges for a polished, professional finish.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Bernat® Pop™, an aran-weight yarn (5 oz / 140 g; 280 yds / 256 m per ball). The pattern specifically uses the colorway Radical Botanical (84015), and 3 balls are required to complete the shawl.
• Needles: A U.S. size 8 (5 mm) circular knitting needle, 29" (74 cm) long, or the size needed to obtain gauge. The circular needle is used to accommodate the large stitch count while still working flat in rows — a common and practical approach for wide shawls.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is important for hitting the intended finished dimensions of the shawl, so knitters are encouraged to swatch before casting on.

Techniques and Construction

The shawl is worked entirely back and forth in rows on a circular needle, beginning with a cast-on of 106 stitches. Construction is straightforward and follows a clear sequence:

• Seed Stitch Border: The shawl opens and closes with a seed stitch border approximately 1½" (4 cm) deep. Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard arrangement, creating a firm, non-curling edge that frames the shawl neatly on both ends.
• Increase Row: Before entering the main zig-zag pattern, an increase row is worked to bring the stitch count from 106 up to 112 stitches using the Kfb (knit into front and back) increase. This subtle shaping accommodates the geometry of the zig-zag pattern.
• Zig-Zag Pattern: The body of the shawl is worked in a two-row repeat that creates the signature zig-zag effect. On right-side rows, M1 (make one) increases and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases are strategically placed to shift stitches laterally, producing diagonal lines of texture across the fabric. Wrong-side rows are worked in reverse, maintaining the seed stitch side borders throughout. This section continues until the work measures approximately 53" (134.5 cm) from the beginning.
• Decrease Row: A mirror decrease row using K2tog (knit two together) returns the stitch count from 112 back to 106 stitches, balancing the shaping before the closing border.
• Closing Border and Cast Off: The shawl ends with a second seed stitch border identical to the opening, and stitches are cast off in seed stitch pattern for a tidy, cohesive finish.

Stitches Used

• Seed Stitch (K1, P1 alternating) — used for the top and bottom borders as well as the running side borders throughout the shawl body
• Stockinette Stitch — forms