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Dear fellow crafter,
How does a scarf end up with a name like “Zackenbarsch”? Well, with a little imagination, you can certainly make the connection.
Groupers live in warm seas and are generally rather laid-back creatures. They like to stay among rocks and coral reefs, patiently waiting for their prey. Some species can grow quite large and powerful – with a mouth you probably wouldn't want to inspect from too close a distance.
My “Zackenbarsch”, on the other hand, is completely harmless and needs neither the sea nor a coral reef. Its points are created simply by increasing and decreasing stitches while knitting. The pattern itself is pleasantly straightforward: ten rows are repeated over and over, allowing the scarf to grow gradually.
This makes it a wonderful project for a relaxing evening of knitting. You don't have to memorise a complicated sequence of stitches. Of course, you still need to pay a little attention – otherwise your Zackenbarsch might end up with a few points in the wrong place.
I'm not actually sure whether pointed designs in handmade knitwear are particularly trendy at the moment. But that doesn't bother me. After all, a Zackenbarsch sometimes likes to swim against the current.
Personally, I really like my Zackenbarsch. I like the way it looks – and it also works wonderfully when wrapped around the neck.
.jpg)
How the Special Shape Is Created
The shape of the Zackenbarsch may look more complicated than it actually is. There is no intricate pointed pattern hiding behind it. The characteristic shape is created simply by combining increases and decreases.
You start with just five stitches. Then, following a set rhythm, stitches are added while several stitches are bound off elsewhere. After each ten-row section, one repeat is complete and the stitch count has increased by five.
This regular sequence gradually changes the shape of the knitted fabric. The edge develops its points while the scarf grows in both length and width. So what looks like a carefully designed complicated pattern is actually a rather simple construction.
That's exactly what I like about this scarf: you don't need complicated knitting techniques to create an unusual shape. Once you've understood the few steps involved, you can simply repeat the pattern and watch as a scarf slowly develops from those initial five stitches.
A Knitting Project for Beginners
The Zackenbarsch is also quite manageable for beginner knitters. You don't need to know any complicated stitch patterns because the scarf is worked in garter stitch. All you need are simple increases and decreases that are repeated regularly.
After the first ten rows, you'll already understand the principle and can concentrate on the rhythm of the knitting. That's what makes this scarf such a nice project for anyone who doesn't have much knitting experience but would still like to create something a little more interesting than a straight scarf.
Yarn and Needles
Now I have to tell you how I actually ended up choosing the yarn for my Zackenbarsch. I had originally planned something completely different.
I went to my local yarn shop in the city centre to buy yarn for a knitted scarf. I already had the idea for the Zackenbarsch roughly in my head, so I was looking for a new yarn.
I browsed for a while and eventually chose a skein of hand-dyed yarn with almost 400 metres of yardage. It wasn't exactly what I had imagined, but it seemed reasonably suitable.
Then I went to the checkout.
And that's when I realised that my purse was at home.
Oh no.
Does that ever happen to you? You are already standing at the checkout, you've mentally said goodbye to your money, and then you discover that you don't actually have it with you.
So I went home empty-handed. By then it was already late afternoon, and I didn't have time to make another trip into the city. My latest crochet project, the semi-circular shawl “Blaue Stunde”, was finished. So I was facing an evening without any handcrafting.
Unthinkable!
What was I supposed to do with my hands?
I became restless and nervous and felt almost like a junkie going through withdrawal. Maybe you've heard the German expression “Ich hänge an der Nadel” – literally, “I'm hooked on the needle.” It certainly describes me rather well.
So it was time to head down to the basement.
That's where I keep some yarn that is waiting to become something bigger one day. And sure enough, I found three balls of Inverno by Lana Grossa.
A good friend had given me the yarn quite some time ago. Until then, however, I hadn't found the right project for it.
I'd previously made a crochet swatch with the Inverno. I hadn't particularly liked the result. For me, the yarn definitely wasn't suitable for crochet.
So I took the three balls upstairs, unravelled the old swatch and started knitting.
And what can I say? Knitted, this yarn is fantastic!
Sometimes you simply have to find the right tool and the right technique for a particular yarn – or the right yarn for your idea. In this case, the two turned out to be a very good match.
Unfortunately, Inverno by Lana Grossa is no longer being produced. If you like the yarn, you will probably only be able to find remaining stock.
For the Zackenbarsch, however, that's not a problem at all.
You are completely free when it comes to yarn. The scarf can be knitted with different types of yarn. All you need is a circular needle that suits your yarn.
A circular needle with a cable length of around 60 cm is sufficient. The needle size you use depends on your yarn and on how loosely or tightly you knit.
This scarf is particularly well suited to experimenting with different yarns. A gradient yarn can beautifully emphasise its unusual shape, but a solid colour works just as well. You can also combine several colours.
You Decide the Size
You don't have to stick to fixed measurements when it comes to the size, either. The length of the scarf can easily be adjusted.
The pattern consists of a ten-row repeat. Simply repeat it until your Zackenbarsch has reached the size you want. Each complete repeat adds five stitches.
Whether you want a little ornamental fish, a fully grown grouper or perhaps even a whale shark – the choice is yours when it comes to size. Your Zackenbarsch will keep growing for as long as you feel like knitting.
So you decide whether your scarf should remain fairly compact or become long enough to wrap around your neck several times. This is particularly practical if you want to use a particular yarn: simply keep knitting for as long as your yarn supply lasts or until your personal Zackenbarsch has reached the desired size.
My Zackenbarsch measures approximately 31 cm at its widest point. Its length is approximately 160 cm.
The Increases
The increases are worked using kfb (knit front and back).
To work a kfb, knit into the front of the stitch, then knit into the back of the same stitch before slipping it off the left-hand needle.
You have now increased one stitch.
And Now Let's Get Knitting
The beginning couldn't be easier: cast on five stitches and start with the first increases and decreases. After ten rows, you will have ten stitches on your needle and can repeat the sequence.
The principle remains the same throughout the scarf. You don't have to learn new pattern sections or keep a complicated chart beside you. After a few repeats, the rows almost knit themselves.
The Zackenbarsch grows little by little and develops its characteristic shape through the increases and decreases. At the end, you'll have an unusual scarf created with relatively simple techniques.
And perhaps that's exactly what makes it so appealing: it doesn't have to be fashionable. It simply has to be something you like.
.jpg)
The Free Knitting Pattern
The Zackenbarsch is worked flat, back and forth in rows. Turn your work at the end of each row.
Cast on: 5 stitches using the long-tail cast-on.
Row 1
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(6 stitches)
Row 2
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(7 stitches)
Row 3
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(8 stitches)
Row 4
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(9 stitches)
Row 5
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(10 stitches)
Row 6
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(11 stitches)
Row 7
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(12 stitches)
Row 8
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(13 stitches)
Row 9
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(14 stitches)
Row 10
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(15 stitches)
Row 11
Bind off 5 stitches. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(10 stitches)
Row 12
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(11 stitches)
Row 13
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(12 stitches)
Row 14
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(13 stitches)
Row 15
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(14 stitches)
Row 16
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(15 stitches)
Row 17
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(16 stitches)
Row 18
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(17 stitches)
Row 19
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(18 stitches)
Row 20
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(19 stitches)
Row 21
Bind off 5 stitches. Knit to the last stitch and work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(15 stitches)
Repeat Rows 12–21 until your Zackenbarsch has reached the desired size.
Bind off all remaining stitches.
Weave in the ends.
That's it – you've done it!
If you like, you can gently steam-block your Zackenbarsch to even out the stitches and help define its shape.
Have fun knitting – and, of course, wearing your Zackenbarsch!
Copyright and Sharing
The “Zackenbarsch” scarf pattern was created by Blickfang-Design and is protected by copyright.
You are of course welcome to use the pattern for your personal use and knit your own “Zackenbarsch” scarf from it. Please understand, however, that the pattern, either in whole or in part, may not be copied, shared, published or sold. Commercial use of the pattern is also not permitted.
If you like the “Zackenbarsch” and would like to share the free pattern with other fellow crafters, I would be delighted. Sharing and recommending this blog article is expressly permitted.
Please simply link to the original blog article. This way, others can find the free pattern directly and knit their own scarf.
By treating my patterns fairly and respectfully, you support my work and help me continue creating new ideas and sharing free patterns with you in the future.
Thank you very much, and have fun knitting – and, of course, wearing your Zackenbarsch!
Best wishes,
A Scarf Called “Zackenbarsch”?
At first, that sounds like a rather unusual knitting project.
But don't worry: this Zackenbarsch is completely harmless and can be knitted comfortably on the sofa.
Its unusual shape is created with simple increases and decreases that are repeated in a manageable pattern repeat. The scarf grows little by little, developing its characteristic points along the way.
The best thing about it is that you don't need complicated knitting skills. Beginners can give the Zackenbarsch a try, too. You are completely free when it comes to yarn, colour and size and can create your very own personal scarf.
In this article, you'll find out how five stitches gradually turn into a whole Zackenbarsch and discover the little yarn story behind my scarf. Of course, you'll also find the complete free knitting pattern.
So grab your yarn and needles and let's get knitting!
Free Knitting Pattern “Zackenbarsch” – A Scarf with a Special Shape
Dear fellow crafter,
How does a scarf end up with a name like “Zackenbarsch”? Well, with a little imagination, you can certainly make the connection.
Groupers live in warm seas and are generally rather laid-back creatures. They like to stay among rocks and coral reefs, patiently waiting for their prey. Some species can grow quite large and powerful – with a mouth you probably wouldn't want to inspect from too close a distance.
My “Zackenbarsch”, on the other hand, is completely harmless and needs neither the sea nor a coral reef. Its points are created simply by increasing and decreasing stitches while knitting. The pattern itself is pleasantly straightforward: ten rows are repeated over and over, allowing the scarf to grow gradually.
This makes it a wonderful project for a relaxing evening of knitting. You don't have to memorise a complicated sequence of stitches. Of course, you still need to pay a little attention – otherwise your Zackenbarsch might end up with a few points in the wrong place.
I'm not actually sure whether pointed designs in handmade knitwear are particularly trendy at the moment. But that doesn't bother me. After all, a Zackenbarsch sometimes likes to swim against the current.
Personally, I really like my Zackenbarsch. I like the way it looks – and it also works wonderfully when wrapped around the neck.
How the Special Shape Is Created
The shape of the Zackenbarsch may look more complicated than it actually is. There is no intricate pointed pattern hiding behind it. The characteristic shape is created simply by combining increases and decreases.
You start with just five stitches. Then, following a set rhythm, stitches are added while several stitches are bound off elsewhere. After each ten-row section, one repeat is complete and the stitch count has increased by five.
This regular sequence gradually changes the shape of the knitted fabric. The edge develops its points while the scarf grows in both length and width. So what looks like a carefully designed complicated pattern is actually a rather simple construction.
That's exactly what I like about this scarf: you don't need complicated knitting techniques to create an unusual shape. Once you've understood the few steps involved, you can simply repeat the pattern and watch as a scarf slowly develops from those initial five stitches.
A Knitting Project for Beginners
The Zackenbarsch is also quite manageable for beginner knitters. You don't need to know any complicated stitch patterns because the scarf is worked in garter stitch. All you need are simple increases and decreases that are repeated regularly.
After the first ten rows, you'll already understand the principle and can concentrate on the rhythm of the knitting. That's what makes this scarf such a nice project for anyone who doesn't have much knitting experience but would still like to create something a little more interesting than a straight scarf.
Yarn and Needles
Now I have to tell you how I actually ended up choosing the yarn for my Zackenbarsch. I had originally planned something completely different.
I went to my local yarn shop in the city centre to buy yarn for a knitted scarf. I already had the idea for the Zackenbarsch roughly in my head, so I was looking for a new yarn.
I browsed for a while and eventually chose a skein of hand-dyed yarn with almost 400 metres of yardage. It wasn't exactly what I had imagined, but it seemed reasonably suitable.
Then I went to the checkout.
And that's when I realised that my purse was at home.
Oh no.
Does that ever happen to you? You are already standing at the checkout, you've mentally said goodbye to your money, and then you discover that you don't actually have it with you.
So I went home empty-handed. By then it was already late afternoon, and I didn't have time to make another trip into the city. My latest crochet project, the semi-circular shawl “Blaue Stunde”, was finished. So I was facing an evening without any handcrafting.
Unthinkable!
What was I supposed to do with my hands?
I became restless and nervous and felt almost like a junkie going through withdrawal. Maybe you've heard the German expression “Ich hänge an der Nadel” – literally, “I'm hooked on the needle.” It certainly describes me rather well.
So it was time to head down to the basement.
That's where I keep some yarn that is waiting to become something bigger one day. And sure enough, I found three balls of Inverno by Lana Grossa.
A good friend had given me the yarn quite some time ago. Until then, however, I hadn't found the right project for it.
I'd previously made a crochet swatch with the Inverno. I hadn't particularly liked the result. For me, the yarn definitely wasn't suitable for crochet.
So I took the three balls upstairs, unravelled the old swatch and started knitting.
And what can I say? Knitted, this yarn is fantastic!
Sometimes you simply have to find the right tool and the right technique for a particular yarn – or the right yarn for your idea. In this case, the two turned out to be a very good match.
Unfortunately, Inverno by Lana Grossa is no longer being produced. If you like the yarn, you will probably only be able to find remaining stock.
For the Zackenbarsch, however, that's not a problem at all.
You are completely free when it comes to yarn. The scarf can be knitted with different types of yarn. All you need is a circular needle that suits your yarn.
A circular needle with a cable length of around 60 cm is sufficient. The needle size you use depends on your yarn and on how loosely or tightly you knit.
This scarf is particularly well suited to experimenting with different yarns. A gradient yarn can beautifully emphasise its unusual shape, but a solid colour works just as well. You can also combine several colours.
You Decide the Size
You don't have to stick to fixed measurements when it comes to the size, either. The length of the scarf can easily be adjusted.
The pattern consists of a ten-row repeat. Simply repeat it until your Zackenbarsch has reached the size you want. Each complete repeat adds five stitches.
Whether you want a little ornamental fish, a fully grown grouper or perhaps even a whale shark – the choice is yours when it comes to size. Your Zackenbarsch will keep growing for as long as you feel like knitting.
So you decide whether your scarf should remain fairly compact or become long enough to wrap around your neck several times. This is particularly practical if you want to use a particular yarn: simply keep knitting for as long as your yarn supply lasts or until your personal Zackenbarsch has reached the desired size.
My Zackenbarsch measures approximately … cm at its widest point. Its length is approximately … cm.
The Increases
The increases are worked using kfb (knit front and back).
To work a kfb, knit into the front of the stitch, then knit into the back of the same stitch before slipping it off the left-hand needle.
You have now increased one stitch.
And Now Let's Get Knitting
The beginning couldn't be easier: cast on five stitches and start with the first increases and decreases. After ten rows, you will have ten stitches on your needle and can repeat the sequence.
The principle remains the same throughout the scarf. You don't have to learn new pattern sections or keep a complicated chart beside you. After a few repeats, the rows almost knit themselves.
The Zackenbarsch grows little by little and develops its characteristic shape through the increases and decreases. At the end, you'll have an unusual scarf created with relatively simple techniques.
And perhaps that's exactly what makes it so appealing: it doesn't have to be fashionable. It simply has to be something you like.
Have fun knitting – and, of course, wearing your very own Zackenbarsch!
The Free Knitting Pattern
The Zackenbarsch is worked flat, back and forth in rows. Turn your work at the end of each row.
Cast on: 5 stitches using the long-tail cast-on.
Row 1
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(6 stitches)
Row 2
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(7 stitches)
Row 3
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(8 stitches)
Row 4
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(9 stitches)
Row 5
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(10 stitches)
Row 6
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(11 stitches)
Row 7
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(12 stitches)
Row 8
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(13 stitches)
Row 9
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(14 stitches)
Row 10
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(15 stitches)
Row 11
Bind off 5 stitches. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(10 stitches)
Row 12
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(11 stitches)
Row 13
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(12 stitches)
Row 14
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(13 stitches)
Row 15
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(14 stitches)
Row 16
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(15 stitches)
Row 17
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(16 stitches)
Row 18
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(17 stitches)
Row 19
Slip the first stitch knitwise. Knit to the last stitch. Work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(18 stitches)
Row 20
Work a kfb in the first stitch. Knit to the end of the row. Turn.
(19 stitches)
Row 21
Bind off 5 stitches. Knit to the last stitch and work a kfb in the last stitch. Turn.
(15 stitches)
Repeat Rows 12–21 until your Zackenbarsch has reached the desired size.
Bind off all remaining stitches.
Weave in the ends.
That's it – you've done it!
If you like, you can gently steam-block your Zackenbarsch to even out the stitches and help define its shape.
.jpg)
Copyright and Sharing
The “Zackenbarsch” scarf pattern was created by Blickfang-Design and is protected by copyright.
You are of course welcome to use the pattern for your personal use and knit your own “Zackenbarsch” scarf from it. Please understand, however, that the pattern, either in whole or in part, may not be copied, shared, published or sold. Commercial use of the pattern is also not permitted.
If you like the “Zackenbarsch” and would like to share the free pattern with other fellow crafters, I would be delighted. Sharing and recommending this blog article is expressly permitted.
Please simply link to the original blog article. This way, others can find the free pattern directly and knit their own scarf.
By treating my patterns fairly and respectfully, you support my work and help me continue creating new ideas and sharing free patterns with you in the future.
Thank you very much, and have fun knitting – and, of course, wearing your Zackenbarsch!
Best wishes,
Birte
of Blickfang-Design
