I want to take a break today from increases and decreases to show you how to read a knitting chart. Reading knitting charts is so much easier than written directions. I prefer a chart 100 times more than written directions for two reasons. First, I am a visual learner so I find it quite easy to look at my work and then look at the pattern and see if they match. If my work doesn’t look like the pattern then I know I have made an error. Also, I find it cumbersome to try and follow along when there are lengthy written directions. I easily become lost and become frustrated because I spend more time trying to figure out where I am in the pattern than I do knitting. Second, as a lefty I can read the chart left to right and I do not have to change anything!
Did you catch that?? When reading knitting charts, as a lefty you can knit left to right without having to interchange increases or decreases! Whoop! Whoop! Karen does the happy dance!
So, let’s take a look at what that means. Here’s a chart that I made for a shawl. You will see on both the right and left side numbers going up the column. These are your row numbers. Across the top you see the stitch number. This chart is pretty typically of what you see with a pattern with a chart.
Now take a look at the image below.
This is the same chart showing the direction of knitting for right handed knitters. Row 1 will be knit right to left, but then row 2 will be knit left to right.
This image above shows the same chart with direction of knitting for left handed knitters. Row 1 and all odd numbered rows will be knit LEFT to RIGHT and row 2 and all even numbered rows will be knit right to left.
As I mentioned earlier this is awesome because when coming across the increases and decreases all you have to do is make the corresponding stitch match the symbol’s direction. I believe I said in one of my first posts that I think of increases and decreases in terms of which way they are leaning not according to how they are made, which is the name of the stitch.
Above is the key that corresponds to the chart, in case you are interested.
Reading Knitting Charts-EXCEPTION
Of course an exception exists! It wouldn’t be life without exceptions. Reading charts left to right does not work in one situation: any pattern that has bind off stitches. Those are usually done at the beginning of a row, so you must follow the pattern right to left.
I hope you have enjoyed this post. As always, please leave a comment and let me know what you would like to see for future posts.
PSST! This is a good pattern to try if you want to practice the CCD that I posted last time.
If like the pattern that is pictured at the top of this post you can find it here at my ravelry store. Jeanette
Beautiful shawl Karen and a great explanation of reading charts as a lefthanded knitter.
Hmm …I totally agree with you.
I need help reading a chart left handed that has short rows. I am so lost. If I could send you the chart I would be so grateful. I can’t even start to explain my confusion. Lol
When you discussed the exception regarding binding off, did you mean that you have to follow the whole pattern right to left or just t bind off rows?
Knitting left handed:
When knitting using circular needles how do I read a chart? Left to right or right to left?
I am so glad I found you! There are so few resources for lefties! Would you please help me figure out the substitution for a purl2tog tbl? Thank you!
the first row of any chart is the back right?
I am just learning to read charts because youtube doesn’t show enough to help me from beginning to end.
How do you read a color chart as a leftie if knitting in the round?
Thanks
Susan V
I am very interested in this as well. I know we knit from the chart, from left to right, even in the round. But do we have to change the increase/decrease stitches from M1R to M1L, etc… when knitting in the round left-handed?
If you are following a chart, then, no. You knit what you see, that is, if the decrease leans to the left, then you do a left leaning decrease (SSK). If following a written pattern, then yes.
I am a leftie knitter and working with a right handed pattern (Michele Wang’s Auster Pattern Brooklyn Tweed – Mens Cabled Pullover). I am knitting the pattern from left to right. I am confused by the vine chart and desperately need help figuring it out!!! Is there a formula to use to translate it left handed??? The vine pattern is for right handers (knitting right to left) contains the following stitches that I need help translating and knitting left handed and reversing the pattern left to right. I am using a cable needle as the pattern suggests but am having difficulty translating to make it work out properly.
How would you knit a right to left pattern (right handed) 1/1 LC (Left Cross); 1/1 RC; 2/1/LC: 2/1 RC; 1/1 LT (Left Twist); 1/1 RT; 2/1 LT; 2/1 RT — in reverse for a left handed knitter knitting left to right?
Your assistance is greatly appreciated!!!
Regards,
Paul
Thank you, stopped knitting 20 years ago. My knitting is very rusty. As a lefty, I remember I was taught to reverse the patterns. I am now so confused because I forgot everything .
Thank you for reaching out to lefties
What about cable charts? I’m starting the HANA by Junko Okamoto. In my practice swatch the cables I’m making look all wrong. I’m reading the chart left to right. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Thanks for any help!
I am a rusty lefty knitter. So far I haven’t done any patterns that require decreases or increases. I have forgotten what I have to do to comply with the pattern. I assume it is reversing the increases and decreases to either beginning or end of the row ?
It looks to me that the charts are more confusing to me since I had gotten use to a pattern.
Please let me know if I am wrong!!!
If you are reading a pattern and it says, “k2, yo, SSK” you would, “k2,yo, k2tog”. You just need to change the direction of the lean of the decrease/increase. I hope that helps.
As a left handed knitter, I’ve always knitted charts R to L and then L to R making the opposite decreases.
I can’t wait to try this!
I am glad I am able to help!
So, since I am not doing charts, just reverse the pattern…. reverse the row order…, so if it is K2,P2, Dec. 1, k 2. I would, k2, dec 1, P2,K2….
Yes!