The ZugZwang Sweater is an intermediate colourwork pattern designed with a checkered stripes pattern. This isn’t a good starter sweater (unless you’re adventurous!) as parts require relying on a chart for the colourwork pattern and require the knitter to be able to follow instructions such as ‘knit in pattern’ once the pattern has been established in previous rows. There are plenty of videos and linked resources to help you learn! The sweater is knit from the top down; first the back is knit, stitches are picked up to create the front panels and shape the neckline, then the front and the back are joined in the round. Finally, stitches are picked up to create the sleeves.

Pattern Language: English

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size guide
The pattern includes directions for 9 sizes. The dimensions are for the sweater circumference and the length from the top of the back to the bottom. When finding your size, I recommend measuring your bust and choosing a positive ease of 8-12” from your bust measurement.

Size 1
Width: 40”
Length: 22”

Size 2
Width: 44”
Length: 22”

Size 3
Width: 48”
Length: 22”

Size 4
Width: 52”
Length: 23”

Size 5
Width: 56”
Length: 23”

Size 6
Width: 60”
Length: 23”

Size 7
Width: 64”
Length: 24”

Size 8
Width: 68”
Length: 24”

Size 9
Width: 72”
Length: 24”

Needles
6mm/US10 circular needles
5mm/US8 circular needles

Yarn
Friends Wool and Friends Kid Silk by Hobbii held together or a similar yarn. A useful place to look for substitutions is https://yarnsub.com/.
For sizes 1-9 you’ll need approximately;

Colour A (Main Colour): (500, 600, 700), 800, 900, 1000, (1100, 1200, 1300) m of Worsted weight yarn 50g/100m held together with (500, 600, 700), 800, 900, 1000, (1100, 1200, 1300) m m of Lace Weight Mohair yarn 25g/200m.

Colour B (Contrast Colour): (220, 250, 280), 310, 340, 380, (420, 460, 500) m of Worsted weight yarn held together with (220, 250, 280), 310, 340, 380, (420, 460, 500) m of Lace Weight Mohair yarn.

Colour C (Ribbing Colour 1): 75 m of Worsted weight yarn held together with 100 m of Lace Weight Mohair yarn.

Colour D (Ribbing Colour 2): 75 m of Worsted weight yarn held together with 100 m of Lace Weight Mohair yarn.

For more images, check out the #zugzwangsweater on Instagram!

Thank you to my test knitters!!

Photo credits to:
@stayknitting_
@daily.yarn
@wendy_fiaux
@write2ride
@hookedbyloz
@wheelerde
@chem.tg