Zagtastic

Zagtastic Shawl by Melanie Berg

What Is Being Made

Zagtastic is an elongated semi-circular knitted shawl featuring playful zigzag patterns that run the length of the design. This piece is designed as a versatile wrap that combines visual interest with wearability, making it an ideal accessory for adding personality to everyday outfits.

Knitting Techniques

The shawl is constructed using a mosaic knitting pattern, a beginner-friendly technique that creates the appearance of complex colorwork while remaining straightforward to execute. Mosaic knitting involves slipping stitches strategically to build geometric patterns without managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously in a single row, making it accessible for knitters new to patterned work.

The shawl is worked with increases to shape the semi-circular silhouette. The pattern incorporates sections with different stitch combinations to build the zigzag motif, with color changes between sections creating visual definition and depth.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundational stitch forming the base fabric
• Knit front and back (kfb) – an increase stitch used at the edges to shape the shawl's semi-circular form
• Slip stitch with yarn in back (sl 1 wyib) – used in mosaic sections to create the zigzag pattern without tangling yarns

Materials

The sample shawl uses two distinct yarn types from Purl Soho, allowing knitters to select their preferred colorways:

• Purl Soho Flax Down – a blend of 43% baby alpaca, 42% merino, and 15% linen (100 g / 219 yards). Three skeins in Ballet Pink (color A) and two skeins in Grey Fig (color B) are used for the sample, totaling approximately 859 yards of yarn weight suitable for worsted-weight projects.
• Purl Soho Tussock – composed of 60% super fine kid mohair and 40% silk (25 g / 328 yards per skein), providing a luxurious, delicate texture.

The project requires knitting needles appropriate for worsted-weight yarn, though specific needle size recommendations are detailed in the full pattern instructions within the PDF.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, Zagtastic is designed to be accessible to knitters new to shawl construction and mosaic patterning. The straightforward stitch combinations and logical progression make it an excellent introduction to creating visually striking colorwork without the complexity of traditional Fair Isle or stranded knitting techniques.