how do you read knitting patterns!?

Question

i'm so confused with the patterns that you read, i'm not sure how. i just started knitting like...yesterday and i really enjoy it and i've already made a scarf and a belt. and i want to learn more, so i need to know how to read the patterns >.< im so confused!

Answer 1

There are two kinds of instructions from my experience: there's the kind with abbreviations (like k for knit and sl st for slip stitch) and there's the kind that's a chart with a diagram and a decoder key you'll need to read it. Both of them usually assume you know how to do some very basic things like purl, stockinette stitch, increasing, decreasing, casting on, etc. If you want something simpler to read in terms of directions, you are probably better off sticking to instructions meant for beginners. I have a favorite book that was intended to teach children that I learned from as a child and have kept dear to my heart. It might be available at your local library, as that's where I found my copy of "The workshop book of knitting". The library is my favorite resource for learning any diy project, and I'm sure you may find something there that will be at your level of expertise.

Otherwise, I would continue with whatever pattern is confusing you, making sure you run through every tutorial you can find on the more complicated parts of the pattern. Make sure you always take time to make the gauge square especially if there is a new kind of pattern that you will be using because that guage will serve as both a test of whether or not you have the right sized needles, but will also be a test of whether or not you have the enough muscle memory to remember the pattern. It will usually take me about five rows to really understand what I'm doing and start to get the hang of it. Be patient with your work, especially with this first gauge test, as I know my mistake in so many first tries was that I wanted to just finish it already and never look back. I do also follow the advice of the author in that favorite book of mine, in that sometimes mistakes make the project that much more mine, and that much more loveable because it's homemade. So I would not undo an hour's worth of work just for one mistake if I can help it. Just remember you can always make a second, better version of it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

sometimes someone at michaels will help--also go to joann's because they use to have knitting classes