knitting

A beginner knitter can feel that a knitting pattern is too complex to be read and understood. One way to make a knitting pattern easier to read is to identify the main sections in it, and then to break each section down into smaller subsections. The last step is to break each row instruction into its tiny components. This article will explain the sections to look for.

The two main sections in a knitting pattern

Almost every knitting pattern has two main sections: the header information and the instructions on how to make the project.

The header of the pattern usually includes the following items:

* A photo or diagram of the project
* The name of the project
* The difficulty level (Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Advanced)
* The size(s)
* The suggested yarn
* The suggested needles
* The gauge or tension specification (the number of stitches and rows in 4 inches or 10 centimeters in a particular stitch, usually Stocking Stitch)

You must validate that you can “knit to gauge” in order for the project to be the correct size. You may have to change the needle size if you knit too tightly or too loosely.

The instructions of the pattern are the how-to-make-it part. It includes everything from the initial cast-on to the final cast-off or bind-off and the finishing.

The subsections in a knitting pattern for a sweater

Most sweater patterns have you make several pieces which are then seamed together. A typical pattern might include the following subsections in the instructions section:

* Back
* Front(s) (one for a pullover, two for a cardigan)
* Sleeves
* Collar
* Finishing (how to seam the pieces)

The subsections in a knitting pattern for a sampler afghan

A sampler afghan is typically made up of several individual blocks that are then seamed together. Each block would be a separate subsection.

Smaller sections within a subsection

Depending on the pattern, it might be easy to identify even smaller sections. For example, the instructions for the Back of a sweater might include:

* Waist or hip band (usually ribbing, but could be another stitch pattern)
* The main body between the waist or hip band and the beginning of the armhole shaping
* The armhole shaping (for a set-in or raglan sleeve)
* The upper body (for a set-in sleeve)
* The shoulder shaping

Tiny sections within row instructions

This is the area that probably causes the most concern in a beginner knitter. The reason is that the row instructions contain abbreviations and symbols, the most common of which is the asterisk or star, which is used to denote a repeat.

Here is a simple example:

Row 1: (RS) K1. * P2. K2. Rep from * to last st. P1.

The RS means Right Side, and it means that as you are working this row, the Right Side or Pretty Side or Public Side of the knitted fabric is facing you.

There are three tiny sections in this row instruction:

* The beginning (K1)
* The repeated part (* P2. K2. Rep from * to last st.)
* The ending (P1)
* To work this row, read the pattern from left to right (even though you are probably working the stitches off the old needle from right to left, unless you knit left-handed). So do the following steps:
o Work a Knit stitch into the first stitch
o Work a Purl stitch into each of the next two stitches, and a Knit stitch into each of the following two stitches (5 stitches are now on the new needle)
o Go back to the star, and work two more Purl stitches and two more Knit stitches (9 stitches are now on the new needle)
o Go back to the star, and P2 and K2 yet again (13 stitches are now on the needle)
o Keep going back to the star and doing the P2.K2. until there is only one stitch left on the old needle.
o Purl that last stitch, and the row is completed.

Conclusion

When you can identify the sections, subsections, and smaller sections in a knitting pattern, then the pattern does not seem quite so overwhelming.

For more information on learning to read knitting patterns

Sign up for a free e-course at Read Knitting Patterns

In only 10 lessons, you can understand a lot about what a knitting pattern is trying to tell you. And an ongoing weekly newsletter will provide even more information on the subject. So check it out.

Author: Judy Obee
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Android Smartphone

knitting