Zugzwang

Zugzwang means, literally, the compulsion to move. It is a term used in checkers and chess to describe how the rules of the game compel one to move as long as you can possibly do so.

The traveling stitches and flat bobbles of the Zugzwang shawl bring to my mind a checkerboard poised and ready to play. Seeing all the pieces perfectly laid out makes me itch to make the first move... and knitting the angular lines of stitches that travel across every row is its own kind of pleasing compulsion. 

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Skills/Techniques: Traveling stitches (1/1 cables), wrapped stitches, slipping stitches. 

Yarn: 5 balls Valley Yarns Becket (50% Superfine Alpaca/ 50% Wool; 100 g/141 yds) or approximately 700 yards of an aran-weight yarn. The sample is made in Color 12 - Dark Teal

Needles: US size 9 (5.5 mm) 47" circ needle, or size to obtain gauge

Notions: cable needle, tapestry needle, scissors

Gauge: 16 sts and 21 rows = 4" in Zugzwang pattern stitch

Measurements: 

Width: 62". Length: 28", with options to increase to any desired size.

Zugzwang utilizes 1/1 right and left cross cables. A video tutorial of these cable crosses can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmoDe2_0IzU&list=PLekR6xx0hparLoytmR4Hg66WZcEBjApe3&index=9&t=2s