Sweater in Zigzag Pattern in BC Garn Shetland Wool - 2423BC - Downloadable PDF

Sweater in Zigzag Pattern – BC Garn Shetland Wool (Design 2423BC) by Sanne Fjalland

This free downloadable knitting pattern by designer Sanne Fjalland for BC Garn presents a beautifully structured zigzag-patterned pullover sweater worked in the brand's own Shetlandsuld (Shetland Wool) yarn. Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, this design is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with colourwork, shaping techniques, and working in the round. The sweater is offered in five sizes — XS/S, S/M, M/L, L/XL, and XL/XXL — with finished bust measurements ranging from 93 cm to 114 cm and lengths from 60 cm to 64 cm, making it a versatile wardrobe staple for a wide range of body types.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a pullover sweater featuring an all-over zigzag colourwork pattern. The geometric zigzag motif is rendered in a three-colour palette, creating a striking visual rhythm across the body and sleeves. The sweater has a classic, relaxed silhouette suited to everyday wear, with clean lines enhanced by the bold patterning inherent to traditional Shetland-style knitting.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for BC Garn Shetlandsuld, a 4-ply weight Shetland wool yarn, used in three carefully chosen colours:

• Main Colour (MC): Col. ny43, light blue — 200 (200) 250 (250) 300 g depending on size
• Contrast Colour 1 (CC1): Col. gold — 100 (100) 150 (150) 200 g depending on size
• Contrast Colour 2 (CC2): Col. ny55, wine — 50 g across all sizes

BC Garn's Shetlandsuld is a traditional fine-weight wool celebrated for its stitch definition and durability, making it an excellent choice for intricate colourwork patterns such as this zigzag design. The natural elasticity and warmth of Shetland wool ensure that the finished sweater is both comfortable and long-lasting.

Needles Required

• 3 mm circular needles in 40 cm and 80 cm lengths (UK size 11 / US size 2) — used for ribbing and borders
• 3½ mm circular needles in 60 cm and 80 cm lengths (UK size 10 / US size 4) — used for the main body and sleeves
• 3 mm and 3½ mm sets of double pointed needles (DPNs) — used for working smaller circumferences such as sleeve cuffs and neckline finishing

Tension

The stated tension is 23 stitches and 30 rows over 10 × 10 cm in patterned stocking stitch worked in the round on 3½ mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is especially important in a colourwork sweater like this, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished dimensions across multiple sizes.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of intermediate knitting techniques that make it a rewarding project for those looking to develop their skills:

• Knitting in the round — the sweater is constructed using circular needles and double pointed needles, allowing the colourwork to be worked consistently from the right side for easier pattern reading
• Stranded colourwork (Fair Isle-style) — carrying two or more colours across each round to create the zigzag motif, a technique closely associated with traditional Shetland knitting
• SSK (slip, slip, knit) — a left-leaning decrease worked by slipping the next two stitches knitwise one at a time, returning them to the left needle, and knitting them together through the back loop; used for shaping