purlJam

# CHEVRON WAVES STITCH PATTERN

A elegant textured lace stitch pattern featuring flowing chevron motifs. This versatile pattern is perfect for cowls, scarves, blanket panels, or the body of a simple sweater. The combination of yarn overs and decreases creates a dynamic rhythm that's engaging to knit while remaining accessible to intermediate knitters.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn
- Yardage varies by project (sample swatch uses approximately 50 yards)
- Sample shown in [your yarn choice]

**Needles:** US 8 (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch markers (optional, for marking repeats)

## GAUGE

18 stitches × 26 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Chevron Waves pattern, blocked

*Gauge is crucial if adapting this pattern for a fitted garment. For scarves and cowls, exact gauge is less critical.*

## SIZES/STITCH COUNT OPTIONS

This pattern is written for the following cast-on options:
- **Option A (with edge stitches):** 64 stitches = 5 pattern repeats + 4 edge stitches
- **Option B (simple):** 60 stitches = 5 pattern repeats exactly

Choose based on your project needs. Edge stitches provide stability for flat projects like scarves.

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- yo: yarn over
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- rep: repeat
- st(s): stitch(es)

## PATTERN NOTES

- This pattern is worked flat and consists of an 8-row repeat over a 12-stitch multiple.
- Each row has balanced increases (yo) and decreases (k2tog, ssk), maintaining a constant stitch count.
- Stitch markers can be placed between repeats to help track your position.
- The pattern creates a semi-reversible fabric with texture on both sides.
- Wrong side rows are worked as knit the knits and purl the purls, with yarn overs purled.

**Stitch Count Verification:**
- Option A: Cast on 64 sts = 2 edge sts + (12 sts × 5 repeats) + 2 edge sts ✓
- Option B: Cast on 60 sts = (12 sts × 5 repeats) ✓

## INSTRUCTIONS

### Cast On

**For Option A (64 stitches):** Cast on 64 sts using long-tail or cable cast-on.

**For Option B (60 stitches):** Cast on 60 sts using long-tail or cable cast-on.

### Setup Rows (for both options)

**Setup Row 1 (WS):** Purl all stitches.

**Setup Row 2 (RS):** Knit all stitches.

### Chevron Waves Pattern

**For Option A (64 stitches with edges):**

**Row 1 (RS):** K2 (edge sts), *k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2 (edge sts). [64 sts remain]

**Row 2 (WS):** P2, *p3, k1, p3, k1, p4; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. [64 sts remain]

**Row 3 (RS):** K2, *k3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. [64 sts remain]

**Row 4 (WS):** P2, *p4, k1, p1, k1, p5; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. [64 sts remain]

**Row 5 (RS):** K2, *k4, yo, sk2p, yo, k5; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. [64 sts remain]

*Wait - sk2p creates a double decrease, let me recalculate Row 5 to maintain stitch count:*

**Row 5 (RS):** K2, *k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. [64 sts remain]
- *Each repeat: -1 (k2tog), +1 (yo), +1 (yo), -1 (ssk) = balanced ✓*

**Row 6 (WS):** P2, *p4, k1, p1, k1, p5; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. [64 sts remain]

**Row 7 (RS):** K2, *k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. [64 sts remain]
- *Each repeat: -1 (k2tog), +1 (yo), +1 (yo), -1 (ssk) = balanced ✓*

**Row 8 (WS):** P2, *p3, k1, p3, k1, p4; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. [64 sts remain]

**For Option B (60 stitches, no edges):**

**Row 1 (RS):** *K2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 2 (WS):** *P3, k1, p3, k1, p4; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 3 (RS):** *K3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 4 (WS):** *P4, k1, p1, k1, p5; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 5 (RS):** *K3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 6 (WS):** *P4, k1, p1, k1, p5; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 7 (RS):** *K2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

**Row 8 (WS):** *P3, k1, p3, k1, p4; rep from * to end. [60 sts remain]

### Continue Pattern

Repeat Rows 1-8 until piece measures desired length, ending with Row 8 of pattern.

### Suggested Project Lengths
- **Cowl:** Work 40-48 rows (5-6 repeats), then join ends
- **Scarf:** Work until piece measures 60-70" (152-178 cm)
- **Blanket square:** Work until piece measures 12" (30.5 cm) square

## FINISHING

1. Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS).
2. Bind off loosely in pattern on a RS row.
3. Weave in all ends.
4. Block to measurements, pinning out the lace details to open up the chevron pattern. Wet blocking or steam blocking both work well.

## PATTERN TIPS

- **Stitch markers:** Place markers after the edge stitches and between each 12-stitch repeat to make counting easier.
- **Fixing mistakes:** If you lose your place, remember that yarn overs create small holes, and decreases slant left (ssk) or right (k2tog). The chevrons should flow in a V-shape.
- **Tension:** Keep yarn overs loose to maintain the open lace effect.
- **Reading your knitting:** On WS rows, the knit stitches (k1) fall directly above the yarn overs from the RS row, creating a subtle garter stitch ridge.

## ADAPTATIONS

**For a different stitch count:**
- Use any multiple of 12 stitches (plus 4 edge stitches if using Option A)
- Examples: 48 sts (4 repeats), 60 sts (5 repeats), 72 sts (6 repeats)

**For in-the-round:** 
- Cast on a multiple of 12 stitches
- Work RS rows as written
- On even-numbered rounds, purl all stitches
- Mark beginning of round

**For a different yarn weight:**
- Adjust needle size accordingly
- The pattern works with any yarn weight; just ensure you like the fabric drape

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*This pattern is free for personal use. Please do not reproduce or distribute without permission.*