How to Read Knitting Charts (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

If you’ve ever opened a knitting pattern and thought,

“Why does this look like graph paper?” (you’re not alone).

Knitting charts can look intimidating at first glance.

  • They’re not a test.
  • They’re not advanced math.
  • And they’re definitely not only for “experienced” knitters.

They’re simply a visual map of your stitches.

And once you understand how to read them, many knitters find charts easier than long written instructions.

We’re going to take this slowly, step by step.

What Is a Knitting Chart?

A knitting chart is a grid.

Each little square represents one stitch.

Each horizontal row represents one row of knitting.

That’s it.

You don’t read the whole thing at once.
You follow it one square at a time.

If this feels unfamiliar, that’s normal.
Your brain is simply learning a new visual language.

A knit chart is shown and a red arrow points to the location where you begin to read the chart.

Why Use a Chart Instead of Written Instructions?

Written instructions might say:

K2, P2, K2, P2, repeat from * to end.

A chart shows the same thing visually, so you can see the pattern forming.

Charts are especially helpful when:

  • You’re working lace or cables
  • You're working on a project with more than one color
  • The pattern repeats many times across a row
  • You lose your place easily in long written rows
  • You prefer seeing patterns rather than scanning text

And if written instructions feel overwhelming, charts aren’t “harder.”
They’re just different.

Sometimes a different format makes everything click.

How to Read a Knitting Chart (Flat Knitting)

Let’s break this down into small, manageable steps.

Step 1: Start at the Bottom

Knitting charts are read from the bottom up.

You begin at the bottom row because that’s your cast-on row — the foundation of your knitting.  You work from right to left, which is exactly as we knit. At the end of the row, move up one row, then work left to right.

Step 2: Understand Right Side and Wrong Side

When knitting flat (back and forth on straight needles):

  • Right-side rows (the front of your knitting — the side meant to be seen) are read right to left.
  • Wrong-side rows (the back of your knitting) are read left to right.

This often feels backward at first.

The first time I read a chart, I was convinced I was doing it wrong because it felt so unnatural. We are so accustomed to reading from left to right and top to bottom.  This is exactly the opposite when reading knitting charts.  I realized that wasn’t doing it wrong, it was just my brain not adjusting yet.

If you’re thinking, “I should be getting this faster,” pause for a moment.

Charts feel awkward before they feel clear — for everyone.
That awkwardness isn’t a verdict. It’s the learning phase.

If it helps, trace the row gently with your finger as you read. Follow the direction your needle is moving.

Step 3: Read the Symbols

Symbol for a knit stitch used in a knit chart when the knit stitch is worked on the right side.
The symbol for a purl stitch used in a knitting chart where the purl stitch is worked on the right side of the fabric
The symbol for a yarn over used on a knit chart.
The symbol for a K2tog (knit two together) as seen on a knit chart.

Each square represents a stitch that contains a symbol.  Even if you see a square without a symbol, it still represents a symbol.

  • A blank square = knit
  • A dash = purl
  • A circle = yarn over
  • A slash = decrease
  • You don’t need to memorize these.

Every chart comes with a key (legend) that explains what each symbol means.

Even experienced knitters glance back at the key. That’s completely normal.

Well-written modern patterns use the system, such as the Craft Yarn Council system.

For example, here are a few very basic symbols you might encounter.

Important: Not All Knitting Charts Look the Same

Here’s something that confused me when I was learning, and it catches many beginners off guard:

Knitting charts are not completely standardized.

That means:

  • One pattern may show a purl stitch as a dash.
  • Another may show it as a blank square.
  • Some charts use dots.
  • Some charts change the symbol depending on whether it’s a right-side or wrong-side row.

If you’ve ever thought,
“Wait… that’s not what I learned.” You’re not mistaken.

Different designers use slightly different symbol systems.

And that’s okay.

The most important rule is this:

Always read the chart key that comes with the pattern you’re using.

The key tells you exactly what each symbol means for that specific chart.

It doesn’t matter what other pattern is used.
It doesn’t matter what you learned before.

The key is the authority for that chart.

Once you know that, this stops feeling confusing and starts feeling manageable.

A Gentle Practice Example

Let’s imagine a simple 4-stitch pattern:

Row 1: Knit, Purl, Knit, Purl
Row 2: Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit

On a chart, each square would show whether you knit or purl.

Try this:

  1. Look at the bottom row.
  2. Read it from right to left.
  3. Say the stitches quietly to yourself as you follow along.

Speaking it softly helps your hands remember the sequence.

If this feels slow, good.

Slow is how new skills become comfortable.

And if your brain feels slightly stretched while learning this, that’s a good sign. New skills always feel that way at first.

Common Questions Beginners Have

“What if I lose my place?”

Use:

  • A sticky note
  • A magnetic board with a magnetic ruler
  • Or cover the rows above with a piece of paper held in place with a paperclip.

There’s no rule that says you must see the entire chart at once.

“Why does the wrong-side row look different?”

Because knitting reverses how stitches appear on the back.

This confuses almost everyone the first time.

If you feel like you’re juggling directions in your head, that doesn’t mean you’re bad at charts. It means you’re building a new layer of understanding.

“Do I have to use charts?”

No.

Many patterns include both written instructions and charts.

Use whichever format feels clearer to you.

There is no “correct” way to follow a pattern, only the way that helps you understand it best.

What if Charts Feel Hard at First

Struggling with charts does not mean you’re bad at knitting.

It means you’re learning something new.

Reading charts is a skill.
And skills develop through repetition, not instant mastery.

Your first attempt may feel awkward.
Your third will feel steadier.
Your tenth will feel natural.

Nothing is wasted, even the rows you undo.

Knitted Charts Practice Examples

Reading Knitting Chart Practice: Box Stitch

Here's another knit chart for the box stitch, a purl-and-knit pattern.  

Knit chart showing how to make the box stitchBox Stitch

This pattern uses a stitch multiple of 4 + 2 and a row repeat of four.

Written instructions

Cast on a multiple of 4 plus 2 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 3: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 4: K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.

You can see the knitted box stitch pattern or create a scarf worked with the box stitch.

Reading Knitting Practice Charts:  Simple Lace

A knit chart showing how to create a simple lace stitch.This is a very easy lace pattern that is appropriate for beginners.
  • Each cell/box of the knitting chart represents a stitch. Horizontal rows of boxes are the rows of stitches.

  • A stitch key or a legend tells you what each graphical symbol/box in the chart means. As I already mentioned above, knitting symbols are not standardized. Nevertheless, a stitch key will always make knitting symbols clear for you. Here is a good set of knitting symbols with detailed illustrations for each knitting stitch.

  • The right vertical column of the numbers shows odd rows of the Right Side (RS) of knitting. Facing the Right Side of your knitting, follow the chart reading it from right to left. Exactly the way you knit your stitches.

  • The left vertical column of the numbers shows even rows of the Wrong Side (WS) of knitting. Direction of knitting on the Wrong Side is the same: from right to left. Facing the Wrong Side follow the chart, reading the symbols from left to right.

Here is a written description for the same pattern. 

Reading Knitting Charts Practice:  Slip Stitches

Slip stitch Stamen Knit Stitch ChartStamen Stitch

Reading Knitting Charts Practice:  Cable Stitches

A knitting chart showing the xo cable pattern

Cast On in Multiples 10 plus 2 stitches

Row 1: (RS) * P2, K8 *, P

Row 2: (WS) K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 3: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *, P2

Row 4: K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 5: * P2, K8 *, P2

Row 6: K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 7: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *, P2

Row 8: K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 9: * P2, K8 *, P2

Row 10: K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 11: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *, P2

Row 12: K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 13: * P2, K8 *, P2

Row 14: K2, * P8, K2 *

Row 15: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *, P2

Row 16: K2, * P8, K2 *

Repeat Rows 1 – 16 for the pattern

Which is Easier - Charts or Written Instructions

There's really no good answer here.  Both are common ways the designer communicates the instructions for making the project.  It's entirely up to you as to whether you feel most comfortable with a chart or would prefer to follow the written directions.  

As your projects become more elaborate, you might find that charts are easier to follow.  Written instructions are used almost entirely for easier patterns so as you progress in your knitting skills, your thoughts might change over time.  It is also likely that you will find some projects easier to do with a chart, while others are much easier to understand with written directions.

Reading Charts Summary and Additional Hints:

  • Each symbol presents certain kind of stitch.

  • For Right Side Rows, follow pattern reading chart from right to left.

  • For Wrong Side Rows, follow pattern reading chart from left to right.

  • For circular knitting every row should be read in the same direction.

  • Be sure to read the chart before you start to knit. Very often Wrong Side Rows are not shown on the chart. Remember to work them!

  • Watch for the pattern repeats. They usually are shown in a box and help you to follow the knitting chart.

  • Don't be confused if in some knitting charts you will see a "No Stitch" box. They are there for a good reason to show you how the pattern lines up. How should you treat them? Just DON'T PAY ATTENTION following the pattern chart. DO NOTHING. "No Stitch" means no stitch should be knitted there.

Final Encouragement

Knitting charts are not reserved for advanced knitters.

They are simply another tool, one that becomes clearer with practice.

Every time you read a chart, even slowly, you are proving something important to yourself:

You can still learn new things.

Not quickly.
Not perfectly.
But steadily.

And steady is enough.

If you’d like more step-by-step knitting help like this, clear, calm, and beginner-friendly, you’re welcome to join my free newsletter. I share practical tutorials designed to make learning feel manageable, not overwhelming.

Knitting Charts:  Pin for Future Reference

Knitting Charts

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