ZigZag Blanket

ZigZag Blanket by Nancy Hand

Project Overview

The ZigZag Blanket is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Nancy Hand that creates a finished square blanket measuring approximately 24 inches. This downloadable PDF pattern combines color work with textural stitch variation to produce a visually dynamic throw blanket suitable for both decorative display and functional use.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a square blanket with a finished size of approximately 24 inches by 24 inches. The design features a zigzag color pattern that plays with both hue and texture throughout the piece, making it an engaging project for knitters looking to develop their color work skills.

Techniques Used

The ZigZag Blanket employs the Intarsia method for color work, a technique where yarn is not carried across areas of different colors. This approach prevents long floats on the reverse side and creates a cleaner finished fabric. The pattern incorporates multiple yarn strands—up to 11 at a time—with most being the background color. The blanket features a reversible design with both sides of the fabric appearing identical, allowing knitters to choose which side they prefer as the front.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the central ground of the blanket pattern
• Seed stitch: Used for the border and initial cast-on section, creating a textured edge that measures approximately 2.5 inches

Each color section within the zigzag design is worked in a different stitch, adding visual and tactile interest to the finished piece.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Berroco Comfort DK yarn (50g balls, approximately 165 meters per ball) in the following colors and quantities:

• 1 ball of orange (2731)
• 1 ball of pink (2723)
• 1 ball of yellow (2719)
• 1 ball of blue (2747)
• 1 ball of turquoise (2733)
• 3 balls of white (2700)

Knitters will need US size 6 needles (or the size required to achieve proper gauge). The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. The project begins with casting on 132 stitches and requires working with DK-weight yarn throughout.

Pattern Structure

The blanket construction begins with a cast-on of 132 stitches followed by approximately 2.5 inches of 1x1 seed stitch edging. The pattern then transitions into the main zigzag design section, with 16 stitches worked in seed stitch at the edges to frame the central patterned area. This structured approach creates defined borders while allowing the color and stitch variations to take center stage in the blanket's design.