Learn how to knit a beautiful zigzag texture with a simple 8‑row repeat. This beginner‑friendly stitch adds movement and dimension—perfect for scarves, blankets, shawls, and cozy sweaters.
At a Glance
- Skill level: Beginner‑friendly
- Yarn/Needles (demo): Worsted‑weight yarn + 2.5 mm needles (use any yarn/needle size you like)
- Stitch multiple: Multiple of 4 + 3
- Repeat: 8 rows
- WS rows: All purl
- Tends to curl: Give it a light steam to relax the fabric
Sample shown with CO 15 sts (3 repeats + edges) and 2 rows garter as a tidy border.
Abbreviations
- K – knit
- P – purl
- K1b – knit 1 below (insert needle into the stitch one row below the next stitch on LN and knit)
- sl3 wyif – slip 3 stitches purlwise with yarn in front
- RS/WS – right side / wrong side
- LN/RN – left needle / right needle
- edge – work your preferred edge: slip the first stitch purlwise, knit the last stitch
Special Move (Row 8 center):
Insert RN under the horizontal strands, knit the center stitch, pull it under the strands, place it on LN, and knit it again. This creates the lifted center “butterfly” effect.
Written Instructions (Compact)
Cast On: a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. Optional: work 2 rows garter (K all stitches for 2 rows) for a neat edge.
Row 1 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 2 (RS): edge, [K1b, sl3 wyif] repeat, K1b, edge.
Row 3 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 4 (RS): Repeat Row 2.
Row 5 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 6 (RS): Knit all stitches.
Row 7 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 8 (RS): edge, [K2, insert RN under horizontal strands, K center st, pull through below the strands, place on LN, K again, K1] repeat, K1, edge.
Repeat Rows 1–8 for pattern.
Tension tip: If your WS purls run tight, relax your hands slightly on WS rows to keep the zigzags even.
Step‑by‑Step (Guided Walkthrough)
- Setup: CO your chosen multiple of 4 + 3. Work 2 rows garter (optional).
- Row 1 (WS): Purl across. Keep edges relaxed.
- Rows 2 & 4 (RS): Work the rhythm K1b, sl3 wyif across. Keep slipped trio neat—not too loose or tight.
- Rows 3, 5, 7 (WS): Purl across.
- Row 6 (RS): Knit across to space out the pattern bands.
- Row 8 (RS): After K2, create the lifted center stitch by working under the horizontal strands as described above; finish the unit with K1 before repeating.
- Repeat: Go back to Row 1 and continue.
Finishing & Care
- Blocking: A light steam relaxes the fabric and minimizes curl.
- Edges: Add a garter or rib border if you want extra stability on flat pieces like scarves and blankets.
Troubleshooting
- Zigzags look uneven? Check that WS rows aren’t tight and that sl3 wyif floats aren’t sagging.
- Holes appearing at K1b? Make sure you’re entering the stitch exactly one row below and not splitting the yarn.
- Curling edges? Use a wider border (e.g., 6–8 sts of garter) and steam block lightly.
“Hi everyone, Fariba here! Today I’m showing you an 8‑row repeat zigzag pattern. I’m using worsted yarn on 2.5 mm needles, but use what you like. It’s a multiple of 4 + 3, all WS rows are purl, and a light steam helps relax the fabric. I cast on 15 sts with two rows of garter and begin on Row 1 (WS)…”
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Keywords: zigzag knitting pattern, 8 row repeat, sl3 wyif, knit one below, butterfly stitch, beginner knitting stitch, scarf stitch, blanket stitch
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