How to recreate this zig-zag / andean pattern

Question

I have tried a few different attempts on this pattern. I was wondering if someone could show me how to recreate this Jordan 12 pattern (black and yellow) on the sole of the shoe:

Answer 1

Usually, I do something like this programatically using Mathematica, but let me give you a fast way for Photoshop.

1. Create a small empty image, say 40x40 pixel

2. In the first column, you make every 5 pixel black, so that you end up with something like this:

3. Now you press the button for the selection tool a bit longer and you choose the tool one column selection. Now, the approach is very easy: Select your first column and press V to select the move tool. Now, you hold Alt and press Right Arrow, release Alt and press down arrow. This creates your correct second column. Do this another 4 times downwards, then start upwards and you get

4. Repeat this for another 30 seconds and you are done

Answer 2

What you need to do is to create a seamless pattern that will reproduce the motive. You image is basically a big zig-zag with smaller zig-zags on the borders (a very popular motive in the south-american Andean region).

Here's a very quick and dirty example, you can start with a normal zig-zag:

And then work your way to the zig-zag blocks for the borders:

Final result:

Do not try to use my images because I drew them in a hurry and will not fit properly :) But I hope you get the idea!