Tip Tuesday: How-To Decode a Knitting Pattern

Today, we'll break down the essential components you should always check in a pattern: gauge, materials list, notes, abbreviations, size, and any additional support materials.

Note: Checking these steps can be even more important for experienced knitters than for beginners. Experienced knitters may accidentally skim over key details because the designer might do things differently than they are used to.
Regardless of where you are in your knitting journey, making a habit of following these steps is the key to binding off a successful project.

Materials List

Does the pattern call for stitch markers, and do you have enough? Will you need waste yarn to mark a particular row? Do you need buttons of a specific size?

These tiny details can significantly impact your project's flow, so it's crucial to review this list carefully before starting to stitch.

Gauge

Gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows per inch and is critical for ensuring your finished project matches the pattern's dimensions.

Every knitter's tension is a little different—one person might knit more tightly or loosely depending on their knitting style or even just the kind of day they had. This is why swatching is so important.

Remember, it's more important for your stitches per inch to match the pattern than to use the exact needle size listed. But you shouldn't have to go two needle or more sizes in either direction to match the gauge. Before continuing, double-check that you are doing the correct stitch pattern for your swatch, using the correct yarn weight and fiber type.

Notes

Not every pattern includes a notes section, but when it does, it's worth your attention.

Notes provide essential construction or stitch information that can help you complete the pattern successfully.

A note could include details like whether a pattern runs large/small and sometimes it calls out specific techniques that need special attention. These could be based on the designer's knowledge or on common questions that their test knitters had while making the project. Either way, if the designer wants to call your attention to it, then it's worth noting.

Repeats

Patterns often use brackets, parentheses, and asterisks to denote repeats and instructions. Let's break down these symbols and how repeats might appear in patterns.

• Repeats when indicated by brackets: [k2, p2] 5 times
• Repeats when indicated parentheses: (k2, p2) 5 times
• Repeats when indicated by asterisks: *K2, P2, repeat from * 5 times

 

Common Abbreviations & Their Meanings

• Approx:  approximately
• Beg:  begin(ning); begin(s)
• RS: Right Side (typically the knit side unless the pattern calls for the purl side to be featured) 
• WS: Wrong Side  (typically the purl side unless the pattern calls for the knit side to be featured) 
• CO: Cast On
• ST(S): Stitch(es)
• K: Knit (Additionally, K2 means knit 2 stitches)
• P: Purl (Additionally, P2 means purl 2 stitches)
• Dec(‘d):  decrease(d)
• YO: Yarn Over
• M1: Make 1 (increase by 1 stitch)
• BO: Bind Off
• RH:  Right Hand
• LH: Left Hand
• WYIB: With yarn in back. Meaning your working yarn should be behind your work.
• WYIF: With yarn in front. Meaning your working yarn should be in front of your work.
• PM: Place Marker

Not seeing the abbreviation you need? You can find more abbreviations for increases and decreases here!

 

Support Materials

Designers often include additional support materials to help you complete their designs successfully. These can range from schematics, which provide a flat line drawing with measurements, to video links and progress photos.
These resources can be invaluable, especially for patterns with multiple pieces or complex construction. Make sure you take a peek at what's provided before you get started. This could save you a google search or two down the line.

Sizing

Before you start making a garment, it's crucial to cross-check your size. Just like in different clothing stores, sizes like "small" or "large" can vary significantly between knitting patterns. Therefore, it's important to ensure that the measurements for your chosen size match the size guide provided in the pattern.

Begin by measuring yourself in all the key areas indicated by the pattern, such as sweater length, chest, hips, arm circumference, arm length, back width, or head circumference. Make sure you're measuring the correct parts of your body. Then, compare your measurements to the pattern's size guide to determine the best size for you. This step can also affect the amount of yarn needed for your project, so it's essential to check this before purchasing your yarn. Designers may place this information in the notes section, next to the materials list, or in a separate chart.

Read-Through Your Pattern

With all the above information in mind, read the entire pattern thoroughly before you start knitting. This will help you familiarize yourself with the designer's writing style and ensure you understand how all sections work together. Look for any crucial details that might be tucked away at the end of a sentence.

This is also a great time to note the designer's use of bold and italics. Some designers use this simply to separate sections, while others use it to call attention to key design elements.

Taking the time to fully understand your pattern before you start knitting will set you up for a successful and enjoyable knitting experience...hopefully with minimal frogging!

For more knitting tips and tutorials, check out this helpful guide on the yarn over stitch (YO).