I need a push/some encouragement

cookworm · 04-12-2007, 01:40 PM

Okay, I keep seeing patterns for things with charts, but the thought of having to look at every single little square to figure out what stitch to do, or to count every single square out to figure out what the next technique is....

! I know that I'm limiting myself by not wanting to do charts, but the thought of having to look at a chart with those little boxes and watch what I'm doing while I knit...well, I don't know. I follow written directions fine...I wish the charted patterns that I like had written directions with them. Yes, I could write it out, but again, I'd still have to look at all of those tiny boxes to figure it out.

It's not a matter of me thinking I can't do it...I'm not so sure I want to.

It seems like a lot of extra work.

Does anybody have any helpful advice for patterns with charts? Do you enlarge the patterns before beginning to make it easier to read them? Is it as distracting as I think it would be to read the pattern from a chart while you're knitting?

brendajos · 04-12-2007, 06:43 PM

Okay I am not much help in this because I look at a chart and think "too much work!" myself. Mostly because i don't like to do patterns that I can't memorize pretty easily (yes I am JUST THAT LAZY!...lol)

However, everybody I have ever heard talk about charts who actually does them says they are waaaay easier. in fact there are people on here i know who often will take a written pattern and chart it out. I think the point is that once you understand the symbols for the pattern it does become a lot easier and quicker than reading the "words" for each stitch.

auburnchick · 04-12-2007, 06:44 PM

I learned how to read a chart when doing the Branching Out scarf. I have to tell you that it was so much easier, once I got the hang of it, than trying to read the pattern as written out...especially with all of the repeats.

I actually found it easier, once I got going, to just eyeball the chart rather than find my spot in the written directions.

Stick with it...you'll get it!

syndactylus · 04-12-2007, 06:53 PM

charts are great!!
I used my first one for a sweater, and I think I still don't remember the symbols, but once you memorize the pattern (if it's not too hard), you can also compare the symbols to what you have in your head and figure it out that way.
I think for lace they're especially useful because then when there are increases or decreases, they don't have to add even more "at the same time"s in the written parts, which are kind of hellish?

Mommy22alyns · 04-12-2007, 07:14 PM

I'm sure you could do it! I haven't knitted from a chart, but I learned how to cross-stitch at a pretty young age, so I'm comfortable with them.

AnaK · 04-12-2007, 07:31 PM

I can fallow charts bether than writen instructions for knitting and crochet. I use ruller to cover the row I have finished or pencil to mark it.

quiltbugj · 04-12-2007, 07:58 PM

I just found this on the knitpicks site. It explains how to read charts:

OK - can't get the link to work. Go to the knitpicks.com. Click on accessories. Click on chart keeper. There is another link on the item's page for instructions for a chart reading tutorial.

Hope this helps.

Abbily · 04-12-2007, 08:03 PM

That link didn't work for me, but I think this is what you are talking about:
http://www.knitpicks.com/images/pdf/charttutorial.pdf

cookworm · 04-12-2007, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by brendajos

Mostly because i don't like to do patterns that I can't memorize pretty easily

I'm the same way too!!! Maybe I just need to "take the plunge" and try an easy pattern with a chart (or a pattern that has both written out directions and a chart) to get up some confidence.

Ingrid · 04-12-2007, 09:14 PM

I'll take a chart over written directions, anyday. Once you get going, you can see what you're doing rather than following the written directions section by section. I lose my place a lot easier on written directions than on a chart.

You can enlarge the chart, and if there aren't lines to indicate every 10 stitches, you can add them to help you keep count of your stitches.

I like the fact that I can know I'm on track by checking the previous row. For example, if the chart shows that I should be knitting into a previous row's yo, and I'm not, then I know there's a mistake and I can catch it.