How to Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Pattern

Learn how to easily Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Pattern, perfect for experienced beginners comfortable knitting in the round on circular needles. An intricate texture emerges of interlocking diagonals with a simple series of knits and purls to create this bold, graphic design.

Knit up an impressive infinity scarf with the “long” instructions or create a faster cozy cowl when following the pattern for the “short” size. Edged in the Seed Stitch with the body in a Diagonal Chevron Zigzag design.

Knitted Scarf in Chevron Zigzag Knit Stitch Pattern texture with blue yarn color on dress form.

Knitting Supplies

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Tools to Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Pattern.

Knitting Techniques

Need to brush up or learn a new technique? Check out my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help you knit up this project.

Techniques to Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Pattern

Knitted Scarf Attributes

KNITTING GAUGE

  • Unblocked 4″ x 4″ Gauge Swatch: 15 sts x 20 rows
  • Blocked 4″ x 4″ Gauge Swatch: 14 sts x 19 rows

SIZE: LONG INFINITY SCARF

  • Finished Scarf Size 30″ x 8″ unblocked / 34″ x 8.5″ blocked
  • Size 10 Circular Needles 32″ length
  • Yarn 162 yards (126g)

SIZE: SHORT CIRCULAR COWL

  • Finished Scarf Size 22″ x 5.5″ unblocked / 26″ x 6″ blocked
  • Size 10 Circular Needles 24″ length
  • Yarn 78 yards (60g)
Zigzag Scarf Knitting Pattern

Knitting Instructions

Getting Started: To begin, gather all of your knitting tools and material and get ready to relax into an easy pattern that’s great for last-minute gifts! After you cast on the recommended number of stitches for your chosen scarf length, join your work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. I like to add a stitch marker by simply using a slip-knot scrap of colored yarn.

Techniques to Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Pattern

Scarf Construction: The knitted scarf is created from the bottom up and in the round. Since this is a reversible pattern, it looks great no matter if the right or wrong side of your work is visible. 

Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Texture

First 4 Rows: Begin with a bottom border of the scarf’s first 3 rows in the Seed Stitch, then knit stitch an entire 4th row.

Scarf Body: Continue by knitting the body of the scarf in the Zigzag pattern in the round for as many repeats as mentioned in the pattern below.

Final 4 Rows: You will complete the pattern by knitting four last rows with one entire row of the knit stitch, followed by three final rows of the Seed Stitch.

Finishing Work: Because we are working our piece in the round, once you are finished knitting, there is no construction work beyond weaving in your yarn ends.

Wish to knit a different size? The pattern is in multiples of 8 stitches, if you wish to adjust its size. You may also modify the height of your scarf by knitting as many or as little repeats of the 16-row Zigzag pattern.

Share your knitted Zigzag Textured Scarf photos on Ravelry >


Printable Knitting Instructions

Knitted Scarf in Chevron Zigzag Knit Stitch Pattern texture with blue yarn color on dress form.

Printable Knitting Pattern

Learn how to easily Knit a Scarf in Zigzag Texture, perfect for experienced beginners comfortable knitting in the round on circular needles.

Makes: Scarf in Zigzag Texture
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 10 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Experienced Beginner

Materials

  • Yarn - Bulky Weight #5 in any fiber or color of your choice

Tools

  • Knitting Needles - Size 10 US circular needles, 24" length (small) or 32" (large)
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

PATTERN FOR LONG SIZED ZIGZAG SCARF

Finished Scarf Size 30" x 8" unblocked / 34" x 8.5" blocked

Size 10 Circular Needles 32" length

Yarn 162 yards (126g)

Helpful Tip: Before Casting On, unravel about 100 inches of yarn tail. This helps prevent you from underestimating the amount of yarn and running out after casting on dozens of stitches.

___

Cast On: 112 Stitches.

Join in the Round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Add a stitch marker. I simply use a scrap of colored yarn.

The pattern is in multiples of 8 stitches if you wish to adjust the size.

___

Bottom Border of Long Scarf in Seed Stitch Pattern

  1. Row 1: * K1, P1 *(Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks)
  2. Row 2: * P1, K1 *
  3. Row 3: * K1, P1 *
  4. Row 4: Knit All

___

Body of Long Scarf in Zigzag Pattern

Knit Rows 1 - 16 Twice, for a total of 32 Rows of the Zigzag Pattern

  1. Row 1: * K1, P1, K1, P5 *
  2. Row 2: * K1, P1, K1, P5 *
  3. Row 3: * K1, P1, K5, P1 *
  4. Row 4: * K1, P1, K5, P1 *
  5. Row 5: * K1, P5, K1, P1 *
  6. Row 6: * K1, P5, K1, P1 *
  7. Row 7: * K5, P1, K1, P1 *
  8. Row 8: * K5, P1, K1, P1 *
  9. Row 9: * P4, K1, P1, K1, P1 *
  10. Row 10: * P4, K1, P1, K1, P1 *
  11. Row 11: * K3, P1, K1, P1, K2 *
  12. Row 12: * K3, P1, K1, P1, K2 *
  13. Row 13: * P2, K1, P1, K1, P3 *
  14. Row 14: * P2, K1, P1, K1, P3 *
  15. Row 15: * K1, P1, K1, P1, K4 *
  16. Row 16: * K1, P1, K1, P1, K4 *

Knit Rows 1 - 16 Twice, for a total of 32 Rows of the Zigzag Pattern

___

Top Border of Long Scarf in Seed Stitch Pattern

  1. Row 1: Knit All
  2. Row 2: * K1, P1 *
  3. Row 3: * P1, K1 *
  4. Row 4: * K1, P1 *

___

Finishing Scarf

Cast Off Loosely

Weave-In Yarn Ends

_________________________

PATTERN FOR SHORT SIZED ZIGZAG SCARF

Finished Scarf Size 22" x 5.5" unblocked / 26" x 6" blocked

Size 10 Circular Needles 24" length

Yarn 78 yards (60g)

Helpful Tip: Before Casting On, unravel about 70 inches of yarn tail. This helps prevent you from underestimating the amount of yarn and running out after casting on dozens of stitches.

___

Cast On: 80 Stitches.

Join in the Round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Add a stitch marker. I simply use a scrap of colored yarn.

The pattern is in multiples of 8 stitches if you wish to adjust the size.

___

Bottom Border of Short Scarf in Seed Stitch Pattern

Row 1: * K1, P1 *(Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks)

Row 2: * P1, K1 *

Row 3: * K1, P1 *

Row 4: Knit All

___

Body of Short Scarf in Zigzag Pattern

Knit Rows 1 - 16 once and repeat Rows 1 - 8, for a total of 24 Rows of the Zigzag Pattern

Row 1: * K1, P1, K1, P5 *

Row 2: * K1, P1, K1, P5 *

Row 3: * K1, P1, K5, P1 *

Row 4: * K1, P1, K5, P1 *

Row 5: * K1, P5, K1, P1 *

Row 6: * K1, P5, K1, P1 *

Row 7: * K5, P1, K1, P1 *

Row 8: * K5, P1, K1, P1 *

Row 9: * P4, K1, P1, K1, P1 *

Row 10: * P4, K1, P1, K1, P1 *

Row 11: * K3, P1, K1, P1, K2 *

Row 12: * K3, P1, K1, P1, K2 *

Row 13: * P2, K1, P1, K1, P3 *

Row 14: * P2, K1, P1, K1, P3 *

Row 15: * K1, P1, K1, P1, K4 *

Row 16: * K1, P1, K1, P1, K4 *

Knit Rows 1 - 16 once and repeat Rows 1 - 8, for a total of 24 Rows of the Zigzag Pattern

___

Top Border of Short Scarf in Seed Stitch Pattern

Row 1: Knit All

Row 2: * K1, P1 *

Row 3: * P1, K1 *

Row 4: * K1, P1 *

___

Finishing Scarf

Cast Off Loosely

Weave-In Yarn Ends

Notes

Knitting Techniques

  • How to Cast On Without a Slip Knot
  • Slip Knot
  • Cast On
  • Knitting with Circular Needles
  • K = Knit Stitch
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • Cast Off
  • Weave-in Yarn Ends

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