Charting Lessons

Several people have asked for charting lessons. Many want specific help on learning to read Japanese pattern charts, and many want to learn to draft their own patterns. We will need to address this in several different lessons, because there is far too much information to fit into just one. Copyright violations are something we want to avoid. I am using a scan from a 1978 issue, and only part of a page at that, trying to NOT infringe on anyone's intellectual property. This particular pattern was chosen because it includes the most common knitting symbols. Since it is a tank top, the pattern outline should be easily understood by all knitters. If you are not familiar with Japanese charted patterns, please take a moment to study this page. I think you will find it interesting.

I learned to chart machine knitting patterns in 1974, using Studio's Silver Knitting Book. The method in this book is very similar to that used by Japanese publishing companies. It uses the shaping formula of stitches-rows-times, which I prefer, since it is the formula used in most written patterns.

The written patterns, including schematics are already available in the Free Patterns section, so they will not be repeated here. Download them and print them out, along with these charts. The Dolman chart shows both sizes, but the Men's Tuck Stitch Pullover only shows the smallest size in chart form because there was too much information to fit on one chart. I usually chart each size separately to keep the confusion down.

Japanese Charted Pattern Lesson 1

Japanese Charted Pattern Lesson 2

Ladies Dolman Sweater Chart

Men's Tuck Stitch Pullover Sweater Chart

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