I've been designing and writing knitting patterns for roughly the last ten years, and it is easy for me to forget what it is like being a new knitter.
Recently I gave a couple knitting lessons to a friend, a new knitter. She showed me a pattern for a shrug and said, with a bewildered look on her face, "What does all this mean? What do I do now?"
Circular needles, gauge, abbreviations, she had never seen any of this before and was (unsurprisingly) lost. So we sat down and I explained each section of the pattern to her and she dutifully nodded her head. It was an easy pattern, and I think it all made sense once I explained it, but I realized then that to a new knitter reading a pattern must be like reading hieroglyphics.
When I came home that day I did a good search to see what resources are out there on how to read a knitting pattern. I came across just a couple, and they seemed a bit vague to me. So, I guess I will have to take it upon myself! I will write a series on how to read a knitting pattern. I will try to remember what questions and confusion I had when I just started out, and I would appreciate any input you have.
What confuses you about reading a knitting pattern? Checking your gauge? Choosing a size? All the abbreviations, 'repeat from' astericks? Leave a comment below with your questions. Stay tuned!
Recently I gave a couple knitting lessons to a friend, a new knitter. She showed me a pattern for a shrug and said, with a bewildered look on her face, "What does all this mean? What do I do now?"
Circular needles, gauge, abbreviations, she had never seen any of this before and was (unsurprisingly) lost. So we sat down and I explained each section of the pattern to her and she dutifully nodded her head. It was an easy pattern, and I think it all made sense once I explained it, but I realized then that to a new knitter reading a pattern must be like reading hieroglyphics.
When I came home that day I did a good search to see what resources are out there on how to read a knitting pattern. I came across just a couple, and they seemed a bit vague to me. So, I guess I will have to take it upon myself! I will write a series on how to read a knitting pattern. I will try to remember what questions and confusion I had when I just started out, and I would appreciate any input you have.
What confuses you about reading a knitting pattern? Checking your gauge? Choosing a size? All the abbreviations, 'repeat from' astericks? Leave a comment below with your questions. Stay tuned!
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