Comments on: Using charts, even if you hate them

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:01:20 +0000

So sad! I have tried to do the Ishbel four times now and when I get into the actual pattern, I always find mistakes so I rip it out. If only I could do this. Even though I’m an experienced knitter, this pattern really throws me for a loop. Any suggestions for doing an intricate pattern where you cannot use stitch markers?

By: UK Software companies

UK Software companies — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:46:33 +0000

Humm… interesting,

Thanks for sharing,

Keep up the good work

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:44:52 +0000

Fantastic and helpful post, Ysolda. I’m firmly in the camp of following the written instructions for the first repeat, then the chart.
I do love a pattern that includes both, as yours do.

By: marilyn

marilyn — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:58:09 +0000

Great post, Ysolda! I couldn’t agree with you more. I really resisted the charts. I mean REALLY resisted. And then I started using them for lace when forced to. And I love them. But part of me still had some animosity to them, so for 4 years I tried to knit a lace shawl from the line by line (partly because I’d marked up the first chart so much when it was my first ever attempt at lace). Finally, I decided that I would ignore the enticing line-by-line for the chart and voila! I can finally knit this pattern. In no small part because of how the charts allow me to figure out and fix mistakes in a why the line-by-line can’t (at least for me).

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:54:55 +0000

Thanks so much for posting this! I’ve been looking for a better way to read charts as I’m not very good at it. I’ve always preferred the written directions, and in recent knitting endeavors there were just charts! This made a good clear explanation for what a chart is good for and how to utilize it to it’s fullest potential.

By: lisa

lisa — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:21:10 +0000

ysolda…
I started knitting when I was about 8 and I have been using written directions for about 2 years (I’m 14 now) and I just starting to use the other charts…it’s easer then I thought it would be!! But last time I had to rip out 2″ and then I lost my place on the chart and had to start all over agian!!

Lisa:)

By: Chelle

Chelle — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:16:42 +0000

This article is wonderful. Like several people above, I prefer having BOTH written and charted instructions, which I am so glad that you provide. But for the reasons stated in your article, I now prefer charts for the most part. This article will be handy to refer new lace knitters to. Thanks!

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:45:43 +0000

I do both, but I use markers, and altso Yellow-pads (you know them you write notes on, sticky on the backside) I follow the pattern further up with those pads. And I place markers in the pattern and on the needles, so I know exacktly what I`ve done. Thats goes for me.

By: Kristina

Kristina — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:48:07 +0000

I love charts, if the pattern does not have a chart I pretty much wont do it!

By: louise

louise — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:12:40 +0000

Although i have been knitting for a few years i haven’t been brave enough to attempt anything too tricky (lace for instance). Looking forward to a braver me in 2010..plan tp attempt an Ishbel. Thanks