If you’re looking for some new and interesting knitting projects to work on, you may want to try your hand at chevron knitting patterns. These zigzag inspired designs can be used to create all sorts of different items, from scarves to blankets to sweaters.
How Do You Knit a Chevron?
There’s actually more than one way to produce the signature zigzags found in chevron knitting patterns. The one you are probably the most familiar with uses increases to form the peaks of the chevrons and decreases to form the valleys. This might sound super complicated if you are a fairly new knitter, but once you get the hang of it you’re sure to be hooked. Once you’ve completed the first few rows and you feel like you have the hang of it, these types of projects are great for knitting while watching TV or listening to a podcast.
Are you curious about the other ways that designers make their chevron knitting patterns zig and zag? There are two other ways that I can think of off the top of my head. The first way is by changing colors. This can be a good choice for a first time colorwork project because there’s usually only 2 colors involved and the geometric nature of the design makes it pretty easy to spot any mistakes you made quickly so you can go back and fix them. The other way you can create chevrons is by using stitch texture differences. You can accomplish this through easy peasy knit and purl stitches or with more exciting techniques like cabling.
Once you have the basics down, you’ll be able to try out any number of different chevron knitting patterns. Chevron designs are quite popular so there are many to choose from. We’ve curated 25 of our favorite patterns for you to try out. We have free knitting patterns for wearables, accessories, home decor and more. There are endless possibilities for different color combinations and we can’t wait to see what you come up with . So get started today and see what you can create!
Chevron Duo Vest
Have you heard the good news? Sweater vests are back in style now! These cozy and stylish pullovers are perfect for layering. The two color chevron on this chic sweater vest adds a dash of retro style that I am head over heels for. Best of all, you can finish this project way faster than a traditional sweater since you won’t have to worry about knitting sleeves!
Designer: Ann Weaver
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Solids & Heathers (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Truth Hurts Cardigan
Get ready to turn some heads when you step out in your new Truth Hurts Cardigan. This design features a flattering wrap around fit and trendy puff sleeves. The stunning rib and chevron lace stitch gives this design a beautiful flowing drape that moves just like real fabric.
Designer: Wool and the Gang
Yarn: Wool and the Gang Feeling Good (Bulky Yarn Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mosaic Chevron Blanket
Super bulky weight yarn makes short work of this stunning chevron throw. The pattern uses the mosaic colorwork technique to create the signature chevron zigzags. The neat thing about this technique is that there’s no changing colors in the middle of a row.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Blanket (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Blanket
Here’s the first one of our featured chevron knitting patterns that uses the more traditional increases and decreases to create the zigs and zags. Special techniques include slip slip knit, knit front and back, and knit 2 together. Some people don’t like the look of the pointed sides on a chevron throw but they’re the perfect spot for some tassel embellishments.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Forever Fleece (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Tube Cowl
Choose 2 colors with high contrast to make this gorgeous Chevron Tube Cowl. The pattern starts by alternating 4 rounds of the main color with 2 rows of the accent color. Then, halfway through, the pattern reverses the two to give the second part of the scarf the inverse look. It certainly makes a statement!
Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Worsted Merino Superwash Solids (Worsted-Weight Yarn #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Wave Equation Cowl
A self-striping sock yarn will really make your chevron zigs and zags stand out, It also saves you the trouble of having to change the colors yourself (and having to weave in all those extra ends). The pattern calls for stockinette stitch with yarn over increases and center double decreases.
Designer: Caitlin Cieslewska
Yarn: String Theory Colorworks Continuum Self Striping (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Drop Stitch Scarf
The Chevron Drop Stitch Scarf is an easy and relaxing knitting project that combines a lovely textured garter chevron one row repeat with interspersed rows of satisfying drop stitches. The free pattern is available on the Ribblr platform and there’s also an accompanying youtube video tutorial.
Designer: The Snugglery
Yarn: (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Luoto Socks
Do you prefer to knit socks from the toe up or from the cuff down? You can take your pick when it comes to this stunning chevron sock design, because instructions are given for both ways. You also get to decide whether you would like to work them using the magic loop method as written or with double pointed needles.
Designer: Joanna Ignatius
Yarn: PatricKnits Bis-Sock (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Latte Art
There’s more than one way to get that coveted chevron pattern! You can skip the increasing and decreasing with this cowl design, because it’s all about the colorwork. The design delivers the signature peaks and valleys of traditional chevrons with a sophisticated twist and a lovely colorblock.
Designer: Audrey Borrego
Yarn: Filcolana Pernilla (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Zig Zag Stripes Dishcloth
Practice makes perfect when it comes to learning new chevron knitting patterns. If you are completely new to chevron knits, then why not start small with a fun and functional project like this dishcloth. Special stitches include knit front and back, slip knit pass over, and knit 2 together.
Designer: Bobbi Anderson
Yarn: Red Heart Scrubby (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Flower and Chevron Shawl
Behold the beautiful Flower and Chevron Shawl. Solid stripes of wine red bookend pale garnet stripes that feature 3 different kinds of beautiful lace designs. There are stunning eyelet flowers as well as both horizontal and vertical chevrons. A feast for the eyes, it’s also a treat to knit for those who love a challenge.
Designer: Michael Harrigan
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Heritage 6 (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Headband
Here’s another one of our chevron knitting patterns that uses just knit and purl stitches. This quick and easy project is both fun and fashionable. I especially love the yarn wrapped button. What a great idea for when you can’t find that perfect button to match your project!
Designer: Amimi Makes
Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Southwest Sunset Blanket
A colorful cake yarn adds lots of exciting color variation to this squishy striped chevron throw. Special stitches include knit front and back, slip slip knit, and knit 2 together. The free knitting pattern is available in both written and video formats. It’s a great project for tv knitting because the two row repeat is very easy to memorize.
Designer: Handmade by Stacy J
Yarn: King Cole Safari Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dishcloth: Summertime
Using just knit and purl stitches, you too can make this beautifully textured dishcloth. I’m certain that the ridges will be handy when it comes to scrubbing! The free knitting pattern is very accessible for beginner knitters. There’s also an option for more experienced knitters that helps make a cleaner finish along the edges of the work.
Designer: Brome Fields
Yarn: Knit Picks CotLin (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Chase
The basic stockinette chevron stitch pattern has been miniaturized here with thin yarn and a short stitch repeat to make stunning chevron socks. The socks are knit from the top down with an afterthought heel. And everyone knows that an afterthought heel is an excellent opportunity to introduce a contrasting color for the heel, toe, and cuff.
Designer: Andrea Yetman
Yarn: Louise Robert Collection Super Sock and PatricKnits Bis-Sock (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Flora Scarf
Combine a few different mini skeins together (or raid your scraps basket) to recreate the stunning Flora Scarf. Worked from end to end, the first half of the scarf uses thin stripes of teal to separate the thicker stripes of color. The second half of the scarf employs the reverse of the 2 for added interest and a more even distribution of yardage per color.
Designer: Lisa R. Myers
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Fino (Light Fingering Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Fruit Blanket
Chevrons and stripes go together like peanut butter and jelly in this blanket pattern. The secret to the success of this fruit inspired design is the speckled yarn that perfectly mimics the interior colors of a dragon fruit. This classic design calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit front back increases and double decreases. Makes a perfect baby shower gift, too!
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Premier Yarns Sweet Roll Fruits (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Wishing Well Sweater
Knitting a pullover sweater with a round yoke presents an excellent opportunity to do some fancy stitching. The yarn over increases in this design add a touch of lace that really highlights the peaks of the chevrons while double decreases contribute vertical ridges of texture that make the valleys of the chevrons stand out. It is knit double stranded.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Alpaca (Sport Weight #2) and Garnstudio DROPS Kid-Silk (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Upstate of Mind Shawl
A singular chevron motif forms the central spine of this striking shawl design. I love the way that it disrupts the even stripes in a beautiful and surprising way. There’s usually a ridge going down the center of a shawl anyway, so why not make it extra special. Choose between 3 color and 8 color variations of the design.
Designer: The Lamb and Kid
Yarn: Dimond Laine Pebbledash (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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V Formation Mittens
Here’s another one of our chevron knitting patterns that showcases a different way to achieve those coveted peaks and valleys. We’ve seen increases and decreases, colorwork, and differences in stitch textures. Here we turn those texture differences all the way up with a gorgeous cablework design.
Designer: Darn Knit Anyway
Yarn: Juniper Moon Farm Herriot (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Textured Chevron Hat
Cozy chevrons add tons of texture to this unisex slouchy beanie design. The zigzags are created using just knit and purl stitches, so this pattern is actually pretty beginner friendly. It really strikes a nice balance since it’s not too simple and not too tricky.
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Premier Yarns Ever Soft Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Tracks Cowl
I’ve never seen a cowl design quite like this one before! I love the way that the edges of the cowl fold down to create a cozy collar. The pattern uses garter stitch for the background and slip stitches to create the vertical zigzag ridges. Best of all, bulky weight yarn makes the project go by quickly!
Designer: Rebecca Thompson
Yarn: Loops & Threads Tweed Big! (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chevron Colorwork Cowl
You know how when you change colors you get all those little strands of yarn on the wrong side of the work. Well, these color “floats” may seem annoying at first but they can actually be beneficial. In the case of this striking black and white chevron cowl design, they add extra insulation.
Designer: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Brioche Zig Zag Cowl
Looking for chevron knitting patterns that can offer more of a challenge? If you know how to do basic two color brioche, then give this pattern a try. It incorporates increasing and decreasing into the design to create the signature peaks and valleys of the chevron shape. Challenging? Yes. Worth it? Totally!
Designer: Red Heart Design Team
Yarn: Red Heart Roll With It Tweed (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Free Chevron Knitting Patterns
That’s a wrap on all of our beautiful chevron knitting patterns! If you’d like to see chevron blanket and afghan patterns, check out our list of the best chevron blanket knitting patterns here! A classic chevron design blanket looks amazing draped on the back of your couch with its wavy edges.
These amazing chevron knitting patterns put a modern twist on this age-old craft. No matter what your skill level, we’ve got a design here for you! A knitted chevron pattern can be as easy as a simple combination of knits and purls, or even just knit stitches, so easy that a beginner knitter can tackle them, especially when knit with a self-striping yarn (an easy way to get color changes!).
Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends or share on social media so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
