What a knitting chart shows you
A knitting chart is a grid where each square represents one stitch, and the symbols or colors in those squares tell you which stitch to work. Instead of reading written instructions like "knit 3, purl 2," you follow the visual pattern row by row. Charts let you see the finished design before you knit it and make it easier to track complex stitch patterns, colorwork, and lace.
The chart itself is always read from the bottom up, one row at a time. The bottom row is your first row of knitting. Each row in the chart corresponds to one row you knit. The columns run vertically and represent the stitches across your needle from left to right.
Key Takeaways
- Read charts from bottom to top, starting with the bottom row as your first row of knitting.
- Flat knitting (knit back and forth) reads right to left on odd rows and left to right on even rows; in-the-round knitting always reads right to left.
- Each square is one stitch, and the symbol or color in that square tells you which stitch to work.
- A legend printed with the chart explains what each symbol means—always check it before you start, because symbols vary between designers.
- Mark off each completed row with a highlighter or row counter so you do not lose your place.
Understanding the direction you read
The direction changes depending on whether you are knitting flat (back and forth on straight needles) or in the round (on circular needles). This is the single most common source of confusion when reading charts.
If you are knitting flat, odd-numbered rows (1, 3, 5) are read from right to left, and even-numbered rows (2, 4, 6) are read from left to right. This mirrors the way your yarn naturally moves when you turn your work around at the end of each row. If you are knitting in the round, every row reads from right to left, because you never turn your work—you always move forward in the same direction around the circle.
The chart itself will usually have row numbers printed on the sides. Check whether they are on the left, right, or both sides. If numbers appear on both sides, the side that increases tells you the direction for that row.
Decoding the symbols and colors
Every chart comes with a legend—a key that explains what each symbol means. The legend might show a knit stitch as a blank square, a purl stitch as a dot, a yarn over as a circle, or a decrease as a diagonal line. Different designers use different symbols, so you cannot assume a symbol means the same thing in every pattern.
Read the legend before you cast on. Write it down or take a photo of it on your phone so you have it handy while you knit. If the chart uses color instead of symbols, the legend will show you which color represents which stitch. Some charts use both symbols and color together for clarity.
If a symbol appears in the legend but you do not understand what the stitch is, look it up in a stitch dictionary or ask in a knitting community. Knowing the stitch name helps you understand what the finished fabric should look like and whether you are working it correctly.
Tracking your place as you work
Charts are straightforward to lose your place in, especially when you are working a large pattern or a complex stitch repeat. Use a highlighter, a piece of tape, or a magnetic row tracker to mark the row you are currently working. Move the marker up one row each time you finish a row. This takes five seconds and saves you from having to count stitches to figure out where you went wrong.
Some knitters print the chart and cross off each row with a pencil. Others use a row counter—a small tool that clips to your needle and lets you advance a number each time you finish a row. If the pattern repeats (for example, rows 1 through 8 repeat three times), mark where each repeat begins and ends so you know when to start the sequence over.
Working with repeats and edge stitches
Many charts show a stitch repeat—a section of the pattern that you work multiple times across your row. The repeat is usually marked with a box or brackets. If the repeat is 6 stitches wide and you have 30 stitches on your needle, you work that 6-stitch section five times across the row.
Edge stitches are the stitches on either side of the repeat that you work only once per row. These exist to balance the pattern or make it sit correctly on your fabric. The chart will show edge stitches outside the repeat box. Work them as shown, then work the repeat the number of times your pattern tells you, then work the edge stitches again at the end of the row.
If your stitch count does not match the repeat, check whether the pattern instructions tell you to increase or decrease before you start the chart. Some patterns ask you to cast on a multiple of the repeat plus a certain number of extra stitches for shaping or seaming.
Adjusting a chart to fit your project
Sometimes a chart is wider or taller than your project needs. You can work only part of the chart, or you can repeat it more times. If you want to center a motif on your garment, count the total width of your piece and the width of the chart, then figure out how many stitches you need on each side to balance it. Work those plain stitches, then work the chart, then work the remaining stitches plain.
If a chart is taller than you need, you can skip rows or work only certain rows. Some patterns are designed this way—they might tell you to work rows 1 through 10, skip to row 20, then work rows 20 through 30. Always follow the pattern instructions for which rows to work.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is reading a row in the wrong direction. Double-check whether you are on an odd or even row and whether you are knitting flat or in the round. If you realize mid-row that you have been reading the wrong direction, it is usually faster to frog (rip out) that row and start over than to try to fix it as you go.
Another frequent error is misreading a symbol. If a stitch does not look right when you finish the row, check the legend again. A yarn over looks very different from a knit stitch, and a decrease changes the stitch count. If you worked the wrong stitch, you may need to frog and redo the row.
Losing your place happens to every knitter. If you cannot figure out which row you are on, count the rows on your needle and match that count to the chart. If you are off by one or two rows, it is usually easier to frog back to where you are certain and start over from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the chart does not have row numbers?
Count the rows from the bottom of the chart upward. The bottom row is row 1. If the chart is very large, count in groups of 5 or 10 to make it easier. You can also print the chart and write the row numbers yourself along the side.
Can I use the same chart for different yarn weights?
Yes, but the finished size will change. A chart tells you the stitch pattern, not the yarn weight. If you use a thicker yarn than the pattern calls for, your finished piece will be larger. Check the pattern instructions for the recommended yarn weight and needle size to get the intended finished size.
What does it mean when a square is blank in the chart?
A blank square usually means a knit stitch, but always check the legend. Some designers use blank squares for knit stitches, while others use a specific symbol. The legend will tell you what each blank square represents in that particular pattern.
How do I know if I made a mistake in the chart?
If a stitch looks wrong or your stitch count is off, count the stitches you have worked and compare them to the chart row by row. If you find the mistake, you can either frog back to that row or use a crochet hook to fix individual stitches if you are comfortable doing so. Many knitters frog back because it is faster and more reliable.
What if the pattern says to repeat rows but the chart only shows them once?
Work the rows shown in the chart, then go back to the first row of the repeat and work them again. The pattern instructions will tell you how many times to repeat. For example, if it says "repeat rows 5 through 12 three times," you work those 8 rows three times total, for 24 rows of knitting.