How to Read Charts - It’s Easier than you Think

In many knitting instructions, the instructions and the pattern are explained using a knitting chart. For beginners, reading a knitting chart is usually difficult and seems very complicated. Therefore, it mostly discourages them from using this tool. In this blog we would like to explain to you how easy it is to read a knitting chart and how to successfully create your successful knitting pattern.

What is a knitting chart?

A knitting chart is a diagram in which the individual stitches to be knitted are shown in a diagram in such a way that you can easily see the individual sequences stitch by stitch and row by row. Each square of a knitting chart represents a stitch and each row represents a round. The numbers in the margin indicate the row numbers. The stitches are marked with individual symbols. Each knitting chart should also include a legend as these symbols are not consistent and the same stitch may be represented by a different symbol in a different pattern. The knitting chart usually shows the front of the finished knitting. Some knitting charts only show the right rows and the text usually contains a note that the back rows are worked with purl or knit stitches, for example.

Red lines in the instructions make the repeating pattern clear. Stitches outside the repeat show how the repeat is integrated into the knitted piece or how edge stitches are worked.

How to read the knitting chart

Unlike reading a book, knitting script is read from bottom to top. The starting point is the bottom right corner and you work your way up row by row from the bottom.

The right rows, i.e. the rows with odd numbers, are read from right to left when knitting in rows. The back rows, the even-numbered rows, read from left to right. In the right rows, work the stitches exactly as shown.

Instead of rows, you can also knit in rounds. This is even easier since you don't turn the work over. The even numbers can be worked in the same way as the odd numbers. Here you just have to read each round of the pattern from right to left and only work the stitches that are shown.

How to don't slip in the knitting pattern

Slipping in a row while knitting is annoying. This destroys the whole pattern and you have to unravel the work again. That costs time and nerves. To keep that from happening, we have awesome Knitting Needle Cases that have a built-in chart holder and a magnetic ruler to help you mark rows so you don't slip with rows. Take a look at our wide range of products at Knitpro right away and save valuable time and nerves right from the start.

Reading a knitting chart is not as complicated as it looks and once you get the hang of it, it is actually much easier than the written instructions and also clearer.

"A picture is worth a thousand words." ― Napoleon Bonaparte

Knitting charts open up a completely different way for you to have a special and easy knitting experience. At Knitpro you will find the most beautiful and useful accessories and chart holders for your charts.

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