I’m trying to learn to knit, and doing pretty good except I don’t understand how to read charts. It seems to me like the chart isn’t telling me what to do, it’s telling me what it’s supposed to look like when I’m done. It most seems like it’s missing every other row. Can someone explain what I’m missing? Thanks
You’re right that a chart kind of shows what the knitting is supposed to look like but it also tells you what to do. Find the key that explains what each symbol means on the chart and do what each symbol tells you to do as you come to it. Some charts only have every other row on them. If that is the case the rows on the chart are usually numbered 1, 3, 5, etc. leaving out every other number. In that case it should tell you how to handle the rows in between. Sometimes they are just purled back, sometimes you knit the knits and purl the purls.
If the chart only has every other row the numbered rows are usually the right side of the knitting and those rows are read right to left, and you do whatever it tells you to on the return rows. You start charts at the bottom and go up. If it has numbers for each row you work RS rows right to left and WS rows left to right (most of the time), unless you are working in the round then all rounds are worked right to left.
Some charts just show color changes, like Fair Isle charts and all the stitches are done the same way (St st for instance, usually). Not all charts are the same these days (maybe never were), they use different symbols etc. So it is important that you look at the key that goes with your particular chart. If you had a link to the chart in question or could tell us where the chart may be found (what book or magazine) maybe someone will have it and can help you out.
Some charts don’t show the WS rows, but there should be instructions in the text that say to purl or knit them, or work sts as they appear. You begin with Row 1 at the lower right and read across; sometimes a chart will only show one half of the row and you either start over again after the centers stitch working from after edge sts or work the other part mirrored. Which pattern are you doing?