How to read knitting diagrams

A knitting diagram consists of squares. 1 square = 1 stitch - the symbol definition provide information on how the stitch is worked. The diagram shows all stitches seen from the right side (unless otherwise specified).

A diagram looks like this:

A.1 is the name of the diagram, and refer to the entire diagram.
A.2 is only the part of the diagram within the square brackets.
This number refers to the number of stitches on the 1st row of the diagram.
This is the symbol definition: it explains how each stitch is worked, or in what colour (in multicoloured patterns).

You read a knitting diagram completely opposite to how you would normally read: from right to left, from bottom to top. In other words: you start with the symbol in the bottom right corner, and work your way leftwards and upwards (see RED in diagram below). If you are supposed to start at a different point/with a different stitch, will this be specified - for example: the different sizes can start at different places in the same diagram (see BLUE box below).

If you are supposed to work several repeats of a diagram (ie: work the same diagram several times in width) you’ll work until the end of the diagram row, and start again with the first stitch for the next repeat.

Back and forth:

When working back and forth, every other row will be worked from the right side and every other row will be worked from the wrong side. Since the diagram shows all stitches seen from the right side, you’ll have to work it in opposite way when working from the wrong side (see BLUE arrows in diagram below): you read the row from left to right, knit stitches are purled, and purl stitches are knit etc (this will often be specified in symbol definition: “knit from right side, purl from wrong side”).

In the round:

When working in the round all rounds are worked from the right side, and the diagram is read solely from right to left. When starting a new round, simply start working the first symbol on the next row in diagram.

Several different diagrams worked consecutively on the row/round:

If you’re working several different diagrams after each other on the same row/round, work as follows: Work 1st row in diagram 1, continue with 1st row in diagram 2, then 1st row in diagram 3 etc. REMEMBER: if you’re working back and forth, the diagram will have to be worked in the opposite order from the wrong side - ie: start with diagram 3, then diagram 2 and lastly diagram 1. They are also worked in opposite way as usual.

In the pattern this can be written as follows: “work A.1, A.2, A.3 a total of 1-1-2-3-4 times”. This means that you first work A.1, then A.2 and finally you repeat A.3 a total of 1-1-2-3-4 times (depending on your size). It is ONLY A.3 that is repeated, A.1 and A.2 are worked 1 time each.

When stitch count doesn’t match whole repeats of diagram:

Sometimes the stitch count is not divisible with full/whole repeats of the diagram in width. For example: A.1 covers 12 stitches and is to be repeated over 40 stitches. In this case you will work 3 full repeats of A.1 (=36 stitches), and then work the first 4 stitches in the diagram over the remaining stitches (see RED line below). This is usually the case where the diagram is a repetitive pattern, so that regardless of working full repeats, the pattern will still be consistent.

Comments (608)

Danielle Rioux wrote:

Bonjour, est-ce qu’avant de faire le diagramme A1, je fais 1 côte au point mousse?

22.04.2021 - 16:17:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Rioux, vous est-il possible de poser votre question dans la rubrique "Questions" du modèle que vous tricotez? Sans savoir duquel il s'agit, nous ne pouvons malheureusement pas vous répondre. Merci pour votre compréhension. Bon tricot!

23.04.2021 - 08:12:

Danielle Rioux wrote:

Bonjour, je fais le modèle 167-32. Je ne comprends l’explication des diagrammes. A1 : est-ce que chaque rangée est un tour complet soit 72 mailles? Même chose pour Les autres diagrammes Merci de me répondre

21.04.2021 - 23:59:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Rioux, je ne suis pas sûre de comprendre votre question, vous commencez par tricoter A.1 sur les 72 mailles, autrement dit, vous allez répéter 36 fois les 2 mailles de A.1 (=36x2= 72). Au 7ème tour, vous aurez 36 fois(2 lm ens à l'end, 1 jeté). Et ainsi de suite. Quand vous tricotez A.3 sur 64 mailles, vous devez le répéter 8 fois en largeur (= sur toutes les mailles), tricotez le 1er rang 8 fois, puis le 2ème rang 8 fois et ainsi de suite (= 8 x8 m = 64). Bon tricot!

22.04.2021 - 08:20:

GIUSY FERRARI wrote:

GILET SENZA MANICHE CON COLLO ALTO DROPS 218-23 MI SCUSI MA NON RIESCO A XCAPIRE SE A1 SI LAVORA SOLO DUE RIGHE E POI SI PASSA A 2. LA SPIEGAZIONE NON LO DICE O NON CAPISCO IO GRAZIE

19.04.2021 - 15:00:

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Giusy, A.1 è solo di 2 ferri, poi si passa a lavorare A.2. Si ricordi di scrivere in minuscolo la prossima volta. Buon lavoro!

19.04.2021 - 22:23:

Montserrat wrote:

Bonjour je ne comprend pas vous explication je fait le modèle ai-228 Pour faire le motif Tailles S, L, XL, XXXL: 1 maille lisière au point mousse, 3-3-4-5 mailles endroit, 4-5-5-6 fois A.4 (= 18 mailles) au total en largeur, A.5 (= 10 mailles), 3-3-4-5 mailles endroit et 1 maille lisière au point mousse.

09.04.2021 - 02:39:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Montserrat, les explications données à votre question sur le pull ont-elles pu vous aider? Sinon, merci de bien vouloir préciser votre pensée que nous puissions vous aider. Bon tricot!

09.04.2021 - 08:26:

Gro Andersen wrote:

Hei. Jeg strikker miss cookies. Drops children 32-2. Har kommet til seler. Skjønner ikke hvor på mønster A 5 jeg skal begynne å strikke. Prøvd mange ganger, men får det ikke til å stemme.

08.04.2021 - 12:05:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Gro. Hva er det du mener som ikke stemmer? Du legger opp 66-70 (74-78 eller 86) masker avhengig av hvilken str. du strikker. Når du har strikket 6 pinner glattstrikk strikker du en "picot" kant /brettekant fra neste pinne fra retten (1 kantmaske rille, * 2 rett sammen, 1 kast * , strikk fra *-* til det gjenstår 1 maske, avslutt med 1 kantmaske rille). Så starter du med diagram A.5 med 1 kantmaske rille ( kastene strikkes ikke vridd). I den minste str gjentar du A.5 16 ganger (= 64 masker) + 2 kantmasker = 66 masker. mvh DROPS design

12.04.2021 - 08:41:

Birgit Thomsen wrote:

Hej, jeg strikker Summer Leaves (169-3)og vil gerne spørge om diagrammerne skal læses fra højre mod venstre på retpinden og venstre mod højre på vrang pinden. Syntes ikke jeg kan få det til at passe

07.04.2021 - 08:17:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Birgit. Ja, det stemmer når du strikker frem og tilbake. Hva er det du ikke får til å passe? mvh DROPS design

12.04.2021 - 08:11:

Danielle Viguet-carrin wrote:

Bonjour, pour le modèle 190-42 le diagramme se lit toujours de droite à gauche ou bien en aller retour? Quand je fais les jetés je me retrouve avec 12 mailles? est ce que je tricote les jetés avec une maille si oui précédente ou suivante? Merci

30.03.2021 - 07:57:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Viguet-carrin, sur l'endroit, lisez les diagrammes de droite à gauche (et de gauche à droite sur l'envers); les jetés viennent compenser les diminutions, vous devez toujours avoir 10 mailles dans chaque A.1a. Bon tricot!

07.04.2021 - 10:06:

Monica Lassar wrote:

Vad är skillnaden mellan en fylld ring (svart) eller en ofylld ring(vit) när det gäller omslag. I beskrivningen av den svarta ringen står att maskan ska vridas på nästa varv, men när det gäller den vita ringen står bara "mellan 2 maskor görs ett omslag". Betyder det att man inte ska vrida omslaget på nästa varv?

23.03.2021 - 17:59:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Monica. Det kommer an på hvilken forklaring det står under den enkelte oppskrift. I noen oppskriften kan en sort ring bety et kast for at det skal økes, da strikkes det vridd på neste rad/omgang slik at det ikke skal bli hull. Om et kast ikke skal strikkes vridd, kan det bety at det skal bli et hull i et evnt hullmønster. mvh DROPS design

07.04.2021 - 08:16:

Peggy Hansen wrote:

I’m knitting size 5 Forest Dance dress. A1 row 7 or is it 7 stitches and then a YO or Is it 6 stitches and then a YO? Help please ASAP. Thanks

21.03.2021 - 20:57:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Hansen, on row 3 in A.1 you increase 1 stitch = 7 sts in A.1. On row 4 you will then increase one more st = 8 sts. Row 7 will be worked like this over 8 sts + 1 inc: *YO with off white, K2 with off white, K1 with cerise, K3 with off white, K1 with cerise, K1 with off white* and repeat from *-*. Happy knitting!

22.03.2021 - 11:24:

Milla Oestreich wrote:

I am unfamiliar with some of the symbols on chart M.1 in the NOVA pattern for babies and children. The symbols I am wondering about are: (1) an oval followed by a straight line through the next two stitches to the right; (2) an oval followed by a diagonal bar across the next two stitches to the right from lower left hand corner to upper right hand corner; (3) an oval followed by a bar across the next two stitches to the left, from the lower right hand corner to the upper left hand corner.

21.03.2021 - 17:11:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Oestreich, in this pattern, you will find the key to diagram symbols just above the chart/diagrams, the oval means a yarn over that will have to be worked either from RS or from WS but worked either K from WS (over the first/lasst stitches on diagram) or P from WS (for the lace pattern in A shape). Happy knitting!

22.03.2021 - 11:15:

Susanne Askjær Kristensen wrote:

Vedr. Sweateren Mountain Moss drops 210/20 str. XL Hvordan skal det forståes i diagram A.1 er der 2 omslag i den del , for så kan jeg se at der er 138m, når jeg er rundt i A1. Hvor opskriften siger at efter A4 skal der være 138m Er udtagene selve mønster.? Eller mangler jeg noget af opskriften Venlig hilsen Susanne

20.03.2021 - 18:04:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Susanne. Her har det blitt en tastefeil, det skal stå A.1, ikke A.4 i første økning. Dette skal vi få ordnet opp i asap. Takk for at du gjorde oss oppmerksom på dette. mvh DROPS design

22.03.2021 - 08:18:

Lisbeth Nielsen wrote:

Hej, jeg er lige gået i gang med Grey Whisper 173-40 og har et par spørgsmål. 1. I starten står der strik 3p ret, herefter fortsæt med mønster og start fra retsiden: skal man så klippe tråden og starte fra modsat pind, da man ellers vil starte fra vrangsiden? 2. Når jeg så går over til at strikke mønster *-* (maskerne før og efter diagram) er det så ret på ret og vrang på vrang, så det bliver "bølget" og ikke glatstrikning. På forhånd tak.

20.03.2021 - 14:52:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Lisbeth. 1) På bildet (av ryggen) ser det ut som at det skal strikkes 3 riller (6 pinner rett) i begynnelsen og deretter strikkes det mønster. Når du da er ferdig med 3 riller, er siste pinne fra vrangen og du starter da fra retten slik det står i oppskriften. 2) Når du skal strikke mønster, strikker de første maskene rett, 3 vrang (se i oppskriften for din str. for hvor mange ganger). Når du skal strikke fra vrangen strikker du rett maskene vrange og de 3 vrangmaskene rette. Da får du mønstre du ser på bildet, mvh DROPS design

22.03.2021 - 07:54:

Lynne Cumiskey wrote:

Winters Night Enchantment jacket in size S and am struggling with the sleeves. I have slipped the 63 stitches onto a circular, picking up the six cast off stitches and inserting the markers - one under arm and one in the 35th stitch. Then starting at the * in chart A2 the bottom left. Does this mean that, as I am at the point where I increased at arrow 5, I start at the 35th stitch, 4th stitch from the right and work right to left? Or start far left??

18.03.2021 - 15:52:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Cumiskey, you start the round mid under sleeve, but the middle stitch on diagram should be the one with the sleeve - this lesson explains how to center a diagram, ie how you will continue A.2 on the sleeve. Happy knitting!

19.03.2021 - 07:58:

Frances Coleman wrote:

I’m knitting the yoke section in First Snow 19-2. In chart M-2A in the first row, do I knit 2 together at the beginning and the end of the row. In row 5 of M-2A do I knit the design knit 2 together and repeat this across the row. Also how do you read both charts M2-A first right to left, then M2-B as a continuation going left. Answer soon please. I don’t find the tutorials specific enough at all. Thanks. Frances

15.03.2021 - 22:58:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Coleman, When you have to work M.2A and M.2B for the yoke, work first row as shown from RS ie after the 4 front band sts work: M.2A (= K2 tog and K4 with light brown, K1 with offwhite and K1 with light brown), repeat from (to) until 8 sts remain, work now M.2B (=K2 tog + K2 with light brown ) and finish with 4 sts in garter stitch. this lesson explains how to read diagrams and should be able to help you. Happy knitting!

17.03.2021 - 09:19:

Inger Grønli wrote:

Hei . Jeg strikker Drops 217-13, og akkurat begynt. Lurer på diagram A1. : Den firkanten , som betyr ‘ strikkes fra retten’ , står v omg 1 og 2, hva menes med det? Jeg strikker jo bare fra retten. Dette diagr skal strikkes i 9 cm,.Skal alle de 4 omg igjentas eller?

13.03.2021 - 17:35:

Jeri Deering wrote:

I am working on pattern 206-15, Frambuesa. The instructions say "the diagrams show all rows in the pattern seen from the right side. If the rows were numbered would they then be Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.? Would I purl the wrong side rows? The instructions also say that the rows with the arrow indicate the increase rows. From what I understand, this row would be a purl row, correct? If I'm confusing you, that's okay because I'm confusing myself. Thanks for your help.

13.03.2021 - 07:44:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Deering, all rows are drawn in the diagrams, ie rows 1, 2, 3 etc... Read right side rows from the right towards the left and the wrong side rows from the left towards the right. - correct, the rows with an arrow (to increase on) are worked from wrong side. Happy knitting!

15.03.2021 - 10:12:

A Merjit Kedra wrote:

Hello. I am knitting the above cardigan. I have casted on 169 stitches. I am a bit confused when you start the M1 pattern you seed stitch the 1st 4 stitches. It then says 1.P and then start the patter. M1. before you start the M1. What does 1.P Mean. Thank you

12.03.2021 - 01:32:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Kedra, could you please ask the same question on the pattern you are working on? This would be very useful for us to be able to answer you. Thanks for your comprehension.

12.03.2021 - 08:47:

Orietta Pili wrote:

Buonasera sto eseguendo lo schema dello scaldaspalle EE-248 ma non mi è chiaro come vadano fatte le diminuzioni. Alcune nonostante sia specificato che vadano eseguite dal diritto risultano al rovescio e non mi è chiaro come vadano ripetute. Potrebbe aiutarmi?\r\nGrazie buona serata

09.03.2021 - 20:32:

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Orietta, lo scaldacollo è lavorato in tondo, quindi non c'è diritto o rovescio del lavoro. Per eventuali richieste future, può utilizzare i moduli in fondo alla pagina di ogni modello per permetterci di essere più precise nelle risposte. Buon lavoro!

09.03.2021 - 23:35:

Carolyn Salon wrote:

I am knitting Catch the Wind and have just completed the section of A1, A2, A3 (47 stitches) . Now to continue, I need to knit A1, A2, A2, A3 . Two A2 sections give me 28 stitches; that leaves 19 stitches -- maybe 10 on one side and 9 on the other to continue the A1 and A3. but just where in the A1 and A3 charts do I start? there are just 2 or 3 stitches at the beginning and too many at the end. You answered me on Monday but my computer said "404:page not found" so I missed it.

03.03.2021 - 18:37:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Salon, when A.1 is finished you have increased 14 sts, you now work these 14 sts as follows: 2 sts as in A.1 and the next 14 sts as shown in A.2 (= 1 more repeat in A.2 in width). When A.3 is done, you have also increased 14 sts and work the 17 sts as follows: the first 14 sts as a new repeat of A.2 and work A.3 over the last 3 sts. Hope this can help. Happy knitting!

04.03.2021 - 08:10:

Elena wrote:

Nel caso in cui trovo un diagramma parziale....ad esempio ho 126 maglie da lavorare e trovo un diagramma con 30 maglie devo eseguire le 30 maglie nel primo giro e poi continuare a ripeterlo? La maglie che ho di avanzo le eseguo sul secondo giro? Grazie

02.03.2021 - 23:38:

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Elena, deve ripetere il diagramma sulle maglie indicate: se lo deve ripetere su 126 maglie, continuerà a lavorare le 30 maglie ripetute e alla fine quelle che rimangono sempre con il motivo. Può essere utile separare le varie ripetizioni con dei segnapunti per identificarle meglio e magari individuare prima gli eventuali errori. Buon lavoro!

05.03.2021 - 00:11: