Never have used a chart before. I have several questions. Directions say 8 stitch repeat. Repeat 10 times per row. Then work last stitch of chart. There are 81 stitches per row. So the chart has 8 stitch repeat outlined in red. So I am assuming that the last stitch is the one outside the red line. Next, row 1 I read right to left. Row 2, I then read left to right. So the extra stitch is first.? ( Even though the directions are not saying this). After it says work last stitch of chart, it says to continue this way through row 36. Am I overthinking this?
Reading chart
It seems to me that you’ve thought this out correctly. Row 1 right to left on the 8-stitch repeat up to the last stitch. Then work the stitch at the end of the chart. Row 2 left to right starting at the extra stitch. Keep alternating, right to left on the RS of the dress and left to right on the WS.
Looks like a very cute pattern. Would you tell us the pattern name please?
Great thanks. That’s what I’ll do. It’s zigzag dress by Lisa Craig.
Actually you (salmonmac), pointed me towards this pattern several months ago when I was looking for a jumper pattern to do for my granddaughter. I just had to finish some other things before I could move on to this. I think it should knit up pretty fast.
I thought it looked familiar. Thank you for reminding me. I’ve been thinking of making a dress for my granddaughter (in pink of course).
Those 60 Quick Knits books are good sources.
Well I am doing in a light grey. But thought it would be more versatile to wear with different colored tops. She is definitely a pink & purple kind of little girl. Hope I haven’t made a mistake with my choice. But I think if I present it with a top of her “favorite” color, she will be ok. Time will tell.
Good idea. Even I can only stand so much pink knitting.
That is so cute! You might, like many of us, love using charts. It’s easy to see how stitches should align while working them. With written instructions I might have to work a number of rows to begin to see the pattern. It’s also easier for me to skip the written instructions when they’re too wordy and it’s easy to lose my place in a long line.
Ok this is harder than I thought. Row 1 went fine but my brain had trouble with row 2. Kept getting twisted around in my mind and losing my place. Had to rip halfway back twice, to the point I lost track of everything. Finally got back on track. I have it in knitting companion. I just have the basic, but I do like being able to highlight each row and the row counters ( keep track of row and then another counter for the repeats).Thought about grafting out entire chart on graph paper but seems so labor intensive. Any suggestions or does it just get easier as I proceed?
Sometimes when I have trouble with a pattern like this, I use markers to mark a stitch, the peak and the valley of the zigzag for instance. Anything that will keep me on track. Usually that’s only necessary for the first motif, maybe 5-6 rows here. After that the pattern itself makes it easier to see where to work the sts.
It’s more difficult see the pattern on the wrong side rows so I periodically peek over the needles to check that the pattern still looks ok from the right side.
Ok. Got me to thinking. So I put a marker at end of every repeat. So only have to keep up with 8 stitches at any time. Can readily catch any mistakes. Seems to be working. Thanks helping my brain to brainstorm!
I was going to suggest markers or scrap yarn loops at the 8 stitch repeat, you might not need them later when you get into the swing of it.
When i have a paper chart I use a narrow post it sticker with an arrow drawn on to stick next to the row I’m on and literally point in the direction I am to work in, so it sticks on the right but pointing left on row 1, then sticks on the left and points right when on row 2.
Knitting companion has a blue line as well as the highlight row line, if you shift your blue line to the beginning of the row it could help remind you which direction to follow the chart in, so place it on the right for row 1 and place it on the left for row 2.
Maybe just try for a few rows and see if it helps?
Great ideas. Thanks. But now I have to restart the whole thing. I got to looking at what I’d done and thought this looks way too big. I had swatched before starting (though I didn’t do a large piece). Thought it was good. I had measured the back width several times while working on it and it seemed on point but now it seems to have grown by several inches. Held it up to my granddaughter and it’s way too big. So I am redoing a swatch with a size smaller needle. Darn. Going to do the entire swatch. Can’t imagine going down 2 needle sizes but will if it’s not close to gauge. Obviously swatching not a fun thing but neither is knitting something that doesn’t fit. Can’t imagine my tension changed so much over 15 rows. Guess I’ll consider it “my practice”.
If you’ve not already frogged checking your gauge on what you already worked would be a good idea. That’s real life knitting vs careful knitting for a swatch which is one reason swatches often lie.
Oh wow. Never thought of it like that. I measured the back I had started and it was off by 2 stitches. I guess over time it would grow to be off by several inches since that’s 2 stitches every 4 inches. I think I have that figured out correctly. But you’re right. Doing a swatch I am so anxious to have it work so that I can move on to the actual piece that I guess my knitting is not true to form. Thanks for the insight!
Just had a thought. Is there a rule of thumb for: if 2 few stitches per 4 inches you should go down one needle size per stitch off. Guess I’m trying to see if I should finish my current swatch or start another with the needle 2 sizes smaller than pattern recommended.
There is! On average, going up or down a US needle size changes the gauge by 0.5 stitches per inch.
I should say that I don’t really see this with my own knitting. More like 0.5 stitches per 2 inches for me. I often have to go down 2 needle sizes to get gauge.
Thanks for the info on gauge. Finally completed several swatches and have decided that going down 2 needle sizes will be best for stitch and row count. But I will keep a close watch and measure periodically, at least at beginning. Hope this does it and can get this project going.
Well I’m back to where I was when I realized my gauge was so off. But this time I appear to be right on track. The back measures 16 1/4 pretty much and held it up against my granddaughter and it seems to be right( not too wide and not too small.) So onward and upward. Thanks for all the suggestions and also to creations. Moving that blue line from side to side is a big help! It’s easy to get turned around. Especially since I stop and start, getting distracted by the little one.
Glad to hear the knitting is back kn track with the right size for your grand daughter, and good to hear you’ve found a method of staying on track with the chart too.
I’m working the most complex colour chart I’ve ever attempted just now and have tinked more than one row after miscounting the stitches. Eventually decided to mark up every 22 stitches so each repeat is checked. Much easier.
You’re braver than I am. I haven’t tried changing colors yet. Hope it goes well, which I’m sure it will. One of these days, I will summon the courage, just not yet. I can get my color “fix” with variegated yarn!