Zags

Zags Cowl by Melissa LaBarre

What Is Being Made

Zags is a bulky loop scarf and doubled cowl design created by independent designer Melissa LaBarre. This knitted accessory features a distinctive zig-zag pattern and is designed to be worn as a cowl that wraps around the neck. The finished cowl measures approximately 56 inches in circumference, making it a substantial and cozy accessory suitable for layering or wearing doubled.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project uses circular knitting techniques worked on a 29-inch circular needle. The cowl is constructed in the round using garter stitch as the foundation technique. Garter stitch, created by knitting every row when working in the round, provides a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and warmth. The pattern incorporates a two-color striping approach, alternating between a main color and a contrast color to create visual interest and dimension.

The design employs a repeating zig-zag motif that adds dynamic visual movement to the finished piece. This pattern requires attention to stitch manipulation and shaping techniques to achieve the characteristic peaks and valleys of the zig-zag design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is garter stitch, which forms the base of the cowl when worked in circular knitting. The zig-zag pattern incorporates several key stitch techniques:

• Knit stitch (k) - the fundamental stitch used throughout
• Purl stitch (p) - used in alternating rows to create the garter stitch texture
• Yarn over (yo) - creates decorative eyelet holes that contribute to the zig-zag visual effect
• S2kp (centered double decrease) - a shaping technique where two stitches are slipped together as if to knit two together, one stitch is knitted, and the two slipped stitches are passed over the knitted stitch, creating a centered decrease that forms the valleys of the zig-zag pattern

The zig-zag pattern repeats over two rows: Row 1 combines knit stitches, yarn overs, and the centered double decrease in a repeating sequence, while Row 2 is worked entirely in purl stitch. This two-row repeat creates the undulating zig-zag design that gives the cowl its distinctive appearance.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Zags is designed for chunky weight yarn, specifically using Plucky Knitter Bulky yarn. The pattern requires 2 skeins of the main color (Color A) and 1 skein of the contrast color (Color B), totaling 3 skeins. Each skein of Plucky Knitter Bulky contains 135 yards, providing sufficient yardage for the complete project. The example shown uses "Naragansett Grey" for the main color and "Cabaret" for the contrast color.

The chunky yarn weight combined with the garter stitch technique creates a fabric with excellent insulation and drape, making this cowl both warm and comfortable to wear. The bulky yarn also means the project works up quickly, making it an accessible intermediate project for knitters looking to complete a substantial accessory in a reasonable timeframe.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for US 10.5 (6.5mm) 29-inch circular needles, which are appropriately sized for chunky yarn and allow the cowl to be worked seamlessly in the round. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a blunt needle for weaving in ends after completion.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The recommended gauge is 12 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in circular garter stitch. Achieving proper gauge is important for ensuring the finished cowl measures the intended 56 inches in circumference. The gauge reflects the relatively loose tension typical of bulky yarn projects, which contributes to the fabric's drape and comfort.

Pattern Flexibility and Customization

The pattern notes indicate that Zags is an excellent project for using up scraps of bulky yarn, as the two-color striping approach can be easily modified. Knitters can experiment with different color combinations or adjust the striping pattern to suit their preferences or available yarn. This flexibility makes the pattern adaptable to individual yarn stashes and creative preferences.