Cable charts use symbols to show where cables cross, row by row
A cable knitting chart is a grid where each square represents one stitch, and each row of squares represents one row of knitting. Instead of written instructions like "slip 2 stitches to cable needle, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle," a chart shows you the cable crossing with a symbol—usually a diagonal line or a small picture of twisted stitches. You read the chart from bottom to top (because you knit from bottom to top), and you read each row from right to left on right-side rows and left to right on wrong-side rows, just as you would knit.
The symbol itself tells you what to do. A cable symbol that looks like two diagonal lines crossing means "cross these stitches over each other." The direction the lines slant tells you which stitches go on top. Once you learn what each symbol means—and most charts come with a legend printed right on them—you can follow the pattern without reading a single word of text.
Key Takeaways
- Each square in a cable chart represents one stitch, and each row of squares is one row of knitting you will work.
- Read the chart from bottom to top and right to left on right-side rows, the same direction you knit.
- Every chart includes a legend that explains what each symbol means—check it before you start.
- Cable symbols show you which stitches cross over which, so you do not need to count stitches or remember cable instructions.
- Most cable charts repeat a pattern over a set number of stitches, marked by vertical lines on the sides of the chart.
Understanding the grid and how to line up your knitting
The chart is laid out in a grid. The horizontal lines divide the rows; the vertical lines divide the stitches. On the left or right edge of the chart, you will see row numbers. These numbers tell you which row of your knitting you are working. The bottom row is row 1, and the numbers go up from there.
As you knit each row, place your finger or a ruler on the chart at that row number and follow across. When you finish a row, move your finger up to the next row. This keeps you from losing your place, which is straightforward to do when you are watching for cable symbols instead of reading text.
The vertical lines on the sides of the chart mark the pattern repeat—the section of stitches that repeats across your work. If the repeat is 8 stitches wide and your pattern says to cast on 24 stitches, you will work the 8-stitch repeat three times across each row. Some charts show the repeat only once; others show it two or three times so you can see how the pattern looks when it repeats.
Reading the legend to decode cable symbols
Every cable chart comes with a legend—a small box or table that shows each symbol used in the chart and what it means. The legend is usually printed at the bottom or side of the chart. Before you start knitting, spend a minute reading it. Symbols vary from pattern to pattern, so a cable symbol in one chart might not mean the same thing in another.
Common cable symbols include diagonal lines (showing the direction the cable twists), small pictures of twisted stitches, or letters like C4F (cable 4 front) or C4B (cable 4 back). The legend will tell you exactly what to do: "C4F: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle." Once you know what the symbol means, you do not have to look it up again while you are knitting that row.
Working right-side and wrong-side rows from the chart
On a chart, right-side rows are numbered on the right edge and read from right to left. Wrong-side rows are numbered on the left edge and read from left to right. This matches the direction you actually knit: you knit right-side rows from right to left (because you are facing the right side), and wrong-side rows from left to right (because you are facing the wrong side).
If you are working in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), the chart will show knit stitches as blank squares on right-side rows and purl stitches as dots on wrong-side rows. On wrong-side rows, you purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches—you are working the opposite of what the chart shows, because you are looking at the fabric from the back. This sounds confusing at first, but it becomes automatic once you have worked a few rows.
Some patterns include separate charts for right-side and wrong-side rows so you do not have to flip the symbols in your head. If your pattern has only one chart, assume you need to work the opposite stitch on wrong-side rows unless the pattern tells you otherwise.
Tracking your place so you do not lose stitches
The easiest way to keep your place is to use a row counter or a piece of paper with a hole cut in it. A row counter is a small device you move up one number after each row; you can buy one at any yarn shop or online. A paper hole lets you see only the row you are working on, which keeps your eyes from jumping to the wrong row.
If you do not have either, use a sticky note or a ruler placed directly under the row you are working. Move it up one row after you finish each row. This takes two seconds and saves you from having to count up from the bottom every time you look at the chart.
If you lose your place mid-row, count the stitches on your needle against the chart. Line up the stitches you have already worked with the symbols on the chart, and you will find where you are. This is much faster than ripping back and reknitting.
Repeating the pattern across and up the fabric
Most cable patterns repeat the same sequence of stitches across your work and the same sequence of rows up your work. The chart shows you one repeat of the stitch pattern and one repeat of the row pattern. Once you understand what the repeat looks like, you can work it over and over without thinking.
For example, if your chart shows an 8-stitch repeat and you cast on 24 stitches, you work the 8-stitch pattern three times across each row. When you reach the top of the chart, you start at the bottom again and repeat the whole thing. The pattern tells you how many times to repeat the rows—usually until your piece is a certain length, or until you have worked the repeat a certain number of times.
Some patterns include a border or edge stitches that do not repeat. These are usually shown at the very left and right of the chart and are worked only once per row, not repeated. The legend or pattern notes will tell you which stitches are the repeat and which are the edges.
Adjusting the chart if you need to change the pattern size
If you want to make your cable pattern wider or narrower, you can add or remove repeats. If the repeat is 8 stitches and you want the pattern wider, cast on 8 more stitches and work the repeat one more time across. If you want it narrower, cast on 8 fewer stitches and work the repeat one fewer time. This works as long as you keep the repeat whole—do not try to work half a repeat, because the cable will not cross properly.
If you want to change the length, straightforward work the row repeat more or fewer times. If the pattern says to work rows 1 through 20 three times, and you want a longer piece, work rows 1 through 20 four times instead. The cable pattern will repeat up the fabric just as it repeats across.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if the chart symbol is not in the legend?
Check the pattern notes or instructions that came with the chart—sometimes the legend is split across multiple places. If you still cannot find it, look at the symbol's shape: a diagonal line usually means a cable cross, and the direction tells you which way it twists. If you are still stuck, you can search the pattern name online or ask in a knitting forum with a photo of the symbol.
Do I have to use a cable needle if the chart shows a cable symbol?
Yes. A cable symbol means you are crossing stitches over each other, which requires a cable needle (or a spare needle of similar size). The chart shows you which stitches cross and in which direction, but you still need the cable needle to hold stitches while you knit the others.
Can I read a cable chart without knowing how to cable knit?
You need to know how to cable knit—how to slip stitches to a cable needle, hold them, and knit the next stitches. The chart shows you where to cable, not how to do it. If you have never cabled before, learn the basic technique first, then use the chart to know when to do it.
What if my chart does not have row numbers?
Count the rows from the bottom up. The bottom row is row 1. Mark the row numbers yourself with a pencil in the margin, or use a row counter to keep track as you knit. Some charts are printed small and leave out numbers to save space, but you can always add them.
How do I know if I am reading the chart in the right direction?
If you are on a right-side row, the row number should be on the right edge of the chart, and you should read left to right as you look at the chart (but knit right to left as you work). If you are on a wrong-side row, the row number should be on the left edge. If the numbers are on the wrong side, flip the chart or rotate it 180 degrees.