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 (607)

Barbara H Jernstrom wrote:

I have a question about the charts from sweater Siberia Drops 185. A-1 and A-3 have 18 rows. A-2 has 20 rows. Knitting in the round this gives me 2 extra rows in A-2. I don't understand what to do with these "extra rows". Can you tell me where they go? Thanks!

02.03.2023 - 19:55:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Jernstrom, the cables in each diagram is worked over a different number of rows, this means, after you have worked the 18 rows in A.1 and A.3 start diagrams from first row again while continue working A.2 as before; and when A.2 has been worked to the end (20 rows), start A.2 from the first row again (continuing A.1 and A.3 as before). Happy knitting!

03.03.2023 - 09:21:

GUYOT Nicole wrote:

Bonjour, je tricote la couverture Milk Dreams. Ai-je bien compris que mon tricot va perdre un nombre de mailles important à la fin ? et que donc la couverture ne sera pas rectangulaire. Puisqu'on passe de 203 mailles à 147 mailles. Merci pour vos explications. Nicole

27.02.2023 - 13:02:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Guyot, effectivement, on va diminuer dans le diagramme A.1 (2 x 2 mailles) et donc, à la fin de A.1, il restera 147 mailles pour la grande couverture. Bon tricot!

27.02.2023 - 16:18:

Nili wrote:

I would love to knit the "Snowy Trails Pillow". I'm 79 years old and never used a diagram instructions. would I be able to get a written instruction for this pattern. Thanks, Nili

25.02.2023 - 11:10:

Houg Patricia wrote:

Bonjour, J ai des difficultés à comprendre le modèle Finnley, en effet pas d indication sur le début du travail,côté 2/2 sur combien de cm? Monter 145-150-158-178-186-206 m avec l'aiguille circulaire 3.5 en Lima. Tricoter en côtes ainsi: 1 m lis POINT MOUSSE - voir ci-dessus, Faut il commencer A6 tout de suite ?

24.02.2023 - 08:35:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Houg, tout à fait, vous devez tricoter en côtes comme indiqué dans les diagramme et dans l'explication. Vous tricotez les 2 premiers rangs des diagrammes A.3-A.6 jusqu'à ce que vous ayez 12 rangs au total, puis tricotez le 3ème rang en répartissant des diminutions comme indiqué et en même temps, diminuez comme le montrent les diagrammes. Les mailles seront ainsi bien en place pour les torsades. Bon tricot!

24.02.2023 - 10:38:

Birgit Espersen wrote:

Jeg strikker bluse nr 241-1 . Det drejer sig om bagstykket, ( jeg strikker i str. large). 1. pindA1,A2 over de næste 30 maskerA3, tag ud til højre osv. Hvordan kan det passe med mønstret når jeg har 41 m, hvoraf de 6 masker går fra. D.v.s, der er 35 m tilbage på pinden, og der står, jeg skal strikke 30 m. v.h. Birgit Espersen

23.02.2023 - 15:58:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Birgit. Du har i str. L 41 masker og skal nå strikke 3 masker glattstrikk + A.1 (4 masker) + A.2 over 30 masker + A.3 (1 maske) + 3 masker glattstrikk = 3+4+30+1+3= 41 masker. mvh DROPS Design

27.02.2023 - 09:04:

Hanna Matter wrote:

Ich arbeite an Drops 226-15 Was bedeutet: die letzten 12 Maschen von A1 stricken bei Hinreihe/bei Rückreihe?

23.02.2023 - 06:41:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Matter, das kann ich in der Anleitung nicht finden - wenn Sie die letzten 12 Maschen von A.1 stricken sollen, bedeutet das, daß Sie die 2 ersten linken Maschen überspringen und nur den Zopf stricken. Hinreihen lesen Sie rechts nach links und Rückreihe lesen Sie links nach rechts in den Diagrammen - 1. Reihe = Hin- 2. Reihe = Rückreihe. Kann das Ihnen helfen?

23.02.2023 - 15:23:

Ellen wrote:

Solar eclipse poncho—I am starting the 3rd round and don’t understand how to proceed—do I follow the chart and assume rows? So for row 3, how do I knit a knit stick and half of k2tog? I’m so confused! Love this pattern.

22.02.2023 - 03:12:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Ellen, which diagram do you have issue with? A.1, A.2, A.3 or A.4?

22.02.2023 - 09:24:

Janice wrote:

Drops 171-14 I don’t understand the A.1 and A.2 legends

21.02.2023 - 17:50:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Janice, could the answers on the pattern blog help you?

22.02.2023 - 09:22:

May wrote:

Mönster 185-2 Hur ska jag sticka varv 19 (och 20) på A1 och A3? Ska jag börja från varv 1 efter varv 20 på A2? Tack på förhand!

20.02.2023 - 09:20:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei May. Du repeterer diagrammene i høyden. Så i f.eks A.1 blir rad 1 og rad 19 den sammen, og rad 2 og rad 20 den samme . mvh DROPS Design

27.02.2023 - 08:37:

Ria wrote:

Ik begrijp de gerstekorrelpatroon niet bijChecco’s Dream M.1. Is dat 2recht en vervolgens 2 averecht en de volgende naald tegengesteld of is er anders

17.02.2023 - 21:50:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Ria,

Het is een soort van dubbele gerstekorrel. Op de eerste naald brei je op de heengaande naald 2 recht, 2 averecht en dit steeds herhalen. Op de tweede naald brei je de steken die je aan de goede kant recht breide nu averecht aan de verkeerde kant en de steken die je averecht breide aan de goede kant, brei je recht aan de verkeerde kant. Na twee naalden wissel je, dus waar je op de eerste twee naalden recht breide, brei je dan averecht en vice versa. Je krijgt dan a.h.w. blokjes van 4 steken.

19.02.2023 - 18:54:

Sanzay wrote:

Bonjour, je tricote le modèle 212-5 Alberta Rosa et je ne parviens pas à interpréter dans le diagramme 2 taille L les grands espaces blancs sur une même ligne, sachant que ce diagramme se tricote sur 8 mailles

15.02.2023 - 13:29:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Sanzay, si vous regardez le rang juste dessous, vous avez 1 étoile, qui correspond au 3ème symbole de la légende des diagrammes, autrement dit, vous allez tricotez 7 fois la même maille (= vous augmentez 6 mailles). Cette vidéo montre (pour un autre modèle, attention à bien suivre le vôtre car il peut y avoir quelques différences) comment tricoter ce type de point ajouré, cela devrait pouvoir vous aider. Bon tricot!

16.02.2023 - 16:48:

Anita Roos wrote:

Stickar 216-7 men förstår inte diagramförklaringen. Mönster A3: vad är skillnaden mellan "stickas med ljus jeansblå" och "rätmaska med ljus jeansblå"?

08.02.2023 - 16:05:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Anita. De ikonene som står "utenfor" diagrammet (til høyre), forteller deg hvilken farge du skal strikke med på denne omgangen. Altså 1. omgang i A.3 skal strikkes med farge lys jeansblå og 1. maske skal strikkes rett, 2. maske skal strikkes med samme farge og da skal kastet og masken strikkes vrang sammen. Altså, ingen skillnad, bare at det står dobbelt opp. mvh DROPS Design

13.02.2023 - 07:18:

Julie wrote:

Hello. I'm working on Sweet Gleam Cardigan by Drops Design. I have finished the neck and now just starting the yoke. If I am reading the pattern correctly, I believe on the first row I should be doing garter stitch on the button band, knitting 3, increase 1 stitch and purl 3, increase 1 stitch. Is this correct?

03.02.2023 - 23:27:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Julie, start the yoke by knitting 2 rows; At the same time, in the first row, increase stitches evenly (not next to each other) - the amount depends on the size. On the next row (row 3 of the yoke) work as follows: knit 4 stitches, * A.1 (= knit 1, increase 1, knit 1), A.2 (= knit 1, increase 1, knit 1). Repeat until 6 stitches remain in the row, knit 1, increase, knit 1 and 4 stitches in garter stitch. Happy knitting!

05.02.2023 - 23:03:

Ducouet Annie wrote:

Bonsoir Je commence à tricoter le modèle 165-4. Pour la partie A1-A2-A3. Je tricote A1, je répète A2 puis A3. Après la maille centrale je répète cette section ou je fais en sens inverse soit A3, je répète A2 et A1. A l’avant dernier rang de A3 il y a 2 jetés donc si je commence par A1 il me manque 1 jeté Merci pour votre réponse Cordialement

02.02.2023 - 18:53:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Ducouet, vous répétez les diagrammes dans le même ordre (comme indiqué, autrement dit: A.1, A.2 et A.3 avant la maille centrale et après la maille centrale. À l'avant-dernier rang des diagrammes, on augmente 2 fois (2 jetés) dans A.3 mais seulement 1 fois (1 jeté) dans A.1. Bon tricot!

03.02.2023 - 08:47:

Anna Taylor wrote:

I am knitting Bronz summer sweater. I’m a little unsure with pattern A1. In row 3 it is shown that you are supposed to put one stitch on a cable needle like you have two stiches. If I understand correctly I’m supposed to increase in row three so I only have one knitted stich + the one I increased. I sure hope you get what I’m trying to say 😂

01.02.2023 - 16:27:

Martine DUPUY wrote:

Bonjour Je tricote le modèle 226-62. Sur les diagrammes A3 et A2, faut-il considérer chaque ligne "1= aller - 2= retour" (donc 1ère torsade A3 au 5ème rang) ? et ces 32 rangs sont-ils à répéter ? Merci de votre réponse et bravo pour vos modèles très originaux. Martine

29.01.2023 - 19:20:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Dupuy, 1 case dans le diagramme = 1 maille x 1 rang, autrement dit, la 1ère torsade de A.3 va se faire au 5ème rang (on tricote tous les rangs impairs sur l'endroit et tous les rangs pairs sur l'envers). Bon tricot!

30.01.2023 - 10:18:

Bente Borg wrote:

Hej. Jeg strikker model 226-46. Hvorfor har diagram A1 og A3 ikke anvisning i de yderste 4 masker i hver side på omgang 5-6/17-18? Venlig hilsen Bente Borg

29.01.2023 - 12:00:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Bente. Tenker du på de 3 ytterste maskene i hver side? I f.eks str. xl-xxl-xxxl og A.1 strikker du over 26 masker, du følger hele diagrammet på de 4 første omgangene / radene, men når du skal strikke 5. omgang/rad må du strikke 1. rad (igjen) over de 3 første maskene, deretter 5. rad over de neste 20 masker, og så 1.rad på de 3 siste maskene. I diagrammet så skjer det mer i de 3 ytterste maskene enn de 20 midterste maskene. mvh DROPS Design

30.01.2023 - 08:39:

GIAMBIAGGI Josette wrote:

Je ne comprends pas les diagrammes de ce modèle 156-31- : Pourquoi parle-t-on d'endroit et d'envers ? En aiguille circulaire on travaille sur l'endroit non ? Que veut dire envers ? Pouvez-vous m'écrire le début des deux premiers rangs. Merci beaucoup

25.01.2023 - 17:30:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Giambiaggi, on peut tricoter sur aiguille circulaire soit en rangs, soit en rond, au choix et/ou suivant le modèle. Dans le cas présent, vous tricotez le poncho de haut en bas, d'abord en rond, puis on va diviser l'ouvrage en 2 pour les fentes côtés, et terminer le bas du devant et le bas du dos séparément, en allers et retours. Sur l'endroit, lisez les diagrammes de droite à gauche tous les tours - ainsi, vous allez tricoter (A.1): Tour 1: *2 m env, 1 jeté, glissez 1 m à l'env*, répétez de *-*; Tour 2: *2 m env, tricotez ens à l'end le jeté et la m glissée*, répétez de **-. Bon tricot!

26.01.2023 - 10:26:

Vivienne MacLeod wrote:

I'm attempting to knit the Winter Escapes jumper, but I'm totally confused by the pattern. Where there's an increase stitch symbol, do I increase this stitch every, say 5 stitches, or only once during the pattern repeat of 18 stitches. This is the most confusing knitting pattern I've ever attempted.

25.01.2023 - 09:27:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs MacLeod, I'm sorry I'm not sure which pattern you are working on, can you please tell us which number has this pattern? So that we could check and explain you. Thanks for your comprehension.

25.01.2023 - 12:31:

Mary wrote:

Hi, This is always related to DROPS 232-45. I am sorry but I am still unclear. Once I work A1 starting from the arrow, I should then carry on working upward. But if I do so, when will I work the two first lines that are below the arrow? Am I supposed to work them or not?

24.01.2023 - 12:51:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mary, the first 2 rows before the one with the arrow will not be worked, they just show how the lace pattern will be set up over the rib from previous rounds. On first row in A.1 work: *YO, K1, P2 together, K1*, and repeat from *-* all the round. Then work next round: *K2, P1, K1*; repeat from *-*. On next round work: *K1, YO, slip 1, K2 tog, psso, YO* repeta from *-* all the round. On the last row, knit all stitches. Happy knitting!

24.01.2023 - 16:59: