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 is a triangular shawl worked from the bottom up, beginning at the bottom center point. Its small cable crosses create a woven-looking checkerboard motif over a reverse stockinette background interspersed by charmingly wrapped stitches.

Because of its unique stitch combination, the shawl lies flat and is self-edging. This makes it easier to make a larger shawl (or a smaller one) simply by changing the number of repeats worked.