Charts

#1

I am curious about charts, I never use them if I don’t need to but I have done a chart before which was a picture- I did it line by line, but not back and forth from one side (it turned our beautiful) but what is the real way you are supposed to read charts?

#2

When knitting flat, the RS rows are read from right to left. WS rows are read left to right. Working in the round, all rows are read from right to left.

eta I’m hoping I didn’t get left and right confused.

#3

Also charts are worked from bottom of the chart. This might be written on the chart, or might not be. The bottom row is row 1, then move up a row in the chart for row 2 and so on.
Usually the chart shows all the stitches from the right side of the fabric and there may be a key (sometimes not) explaining the stitch or colour for each symbol on the chart. For instance reading a chart which is in stockinette the stitches all look like knit because we view the chart from the right-side, if you knit ING h round they are all knit, if you knit flat they are knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side.

I found charts so intimidating until I decided to read/watch tutorials and practise and now I love them. Once you decipher how they work they are easier to follow than written instructions.

#4

In addition to the above, here’s a nice video for chart reading. Use it as necessary and file it away if it helps.

#5

I find it very helpful to print the chart and keep it on a magnet board, with a strip magnet running across ABOVE the row I’m working on. That way, I can check that my stitches are aligning with the rows I’ve already worked, and don’t get confused and start reading the next row.

I sometimes also color-code them. Certainly if it’s colorwork, but I’ve done it for cables–left cross, blue, right cross, yellow, or some such.

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