Reading Charts – Basics for Lace and Cable Charts

Shaina Scott
Aug 8
2 min read

If you’ve ever opened a knitting pattern and your eyes went straight to the chart, only to feel your stomach drop a little—don’t worry, you’re not alone! Charts can look intimidating at first glance, but once you know how to read them, they often make knitting so much easier than following long lines of written instructions.

This guide will walk you through the basics of reading lace and cable charts, so you can dive in with confidence—whether you’re working on the Clematis Scarf or any other charted project.

📖 Why Charts Are Your Friend

Charts give you a visual map of your knitting. Instead of reading “k2tog, yo, k1” over and over, you can see the stitches laid out exactly as they’ll appear in your fabric. This makes it easier to spot mistakes early and to understand how the design flows.

For lace and cables especially, charts are a lifesaver—they show you how decreases, yarn overs, and cable crossings line up row after row, creating that beautiful texture.

🔄 Reading Direction

Right Side (RS) Rows: Read right to left across the chart.
Wrong Side (WS) Rows: Read left to right.This mirrors the way you knit—on RS rows, you knit from right to left; on WS rows, you work from left to right.

Most charts will have row numbers on the side you start reading from to help you keep track.

🪄 Symbols & Key

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

In lace knitting, symbols often represent yarn overs, decreases, or knit/purl stitches.
In cable knitting, symbols indicate the direction and number of stitches to cross.

The key is your best friend—never skip it, as symbols can vary between patterns.

📏 Repeats & Markers

Many charts have a repeat section outlined by a bold box. This means you’ll work the stitches inside the box as many times as needed across your row.

Placing stitch markers between repeats in your knitting can make it much easier to stay on track—especially in lace, where one missed yarn over can throw everything off.

📝 Pro Tips for Chart Success

Highlight your row: Use a magnetic board, sticky notes, or a row counter app to mark your place.
Say it out loud: Reading the stitches aloud as you work can help reinforce the pattern in your brain.
Look ahead: Scan the next few rows so you know where increases/decreases are leading.
Check your work often: Lace and cable mistakes are easier to fix early than ten rows later.

✨ Final Thoughts

Once you get used to reading charts, you might actually prefer them. They let you see the fabric before it’s even knit, and they free you from long blocks of text. Think of them as your knitting GPS—showing you where you’re going, not just telling you how to get there.

So grab your pattern, your chart key, and maybe a cup of tea. Before you know it, you’ll be breezing through lace and cable charts like a pro.