Knitting from charts, a question

[elizabeth_mn]

Okay. I don't knit from charts. I don't like them and I'm stubborn about learning something new when what I know now still works.

But! There's a sweater in the fall 2007 issue of Knitty which I've been eyeing since it came out: Cherie Amour. It has a simple lace pattern which is only given as a chart.  So I've decided to give it a try.

After printing the pattern, reading everything I could find about charts on all my favorite knitting websites, and spending a really long time just staring at it, I finally had an aha! moment.  There are just a couple things I'm still not quite sure about.

First, what are the boxes indicating the pattern repeat for?  If you work the whole chart, why do you need to know a single repeat?

Next, can anyone tell me if I am correct in the following assumptions?

When working in the round, you begin each row of the chart on the right hand side.

When working flat, you begin right-side rows on the right side of the chart, and wrong-side rows on the left.

Yes?

Thanks, LJ Oracle!

Comments

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

Pattern repeat boxes are just so that if you want to memorize the chart, you can see what the repeat is quickly. You can ignore them in most cases, if you're going to use the whole chart.

And you know, I never really thought about which side of the chart you begin on because most things I've used have been perfectly symmetrical, so it didn't matter which side you read the chart from. As you go, you will get a feel for where you are in the chart, based on how you are reading it. But I believe you are correct in your assessment (where the row numbers are placed on the chart is a clue). The chart for the sweater you are doing is just purls on all the WS rows, so it doesn't really matter. You will always be reading from right to left on the patterned (RS) rows.

Looks like a great project!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You're always so helpful with my little knitting questions! I feel silly that charts should be a mystery to me, but alas.

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

Charts can definitely be confusing at first. But you'll get the hang of it, I'm sure!

I'm more experienced with knitting than sewing, so I'm always glad to help out!