{"id":12541,"date":"2020-10-08T06:10:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=12541"},"modified":"2023-02-27T13:52:30","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T21:52:30","slug":"how-to-read-a-knitting-pattern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=12541","title":{"rendered":"How to Read a Knitting Pattern"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knitting is a simple, satisfying, stitch-by-stitch pursuit. However, to follow a knitting pattern, a beginner must first learn a number of knitting-pattern conventions. These include <strong>abbreviations<\/strong>, <strong>charts<\/strong>, <strong>multi-size text instructions<\/strong>, <strong>sizing<\/strong>, and <strong>schematic<\/strong> diagrams. We hope this tutorial series helps to clarify your uncertainties!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group roundedCorners has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(300deg,rgb(246,254,255) 0%,rgb(214,250,255) 100%)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this tutorial, we explain <strong>How to Read a Knitting Pattern<\/strong> in four parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=12543\">Understanding the Sizing and Materials Section of a Knitting Pattern<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What supplies do I need? How much yarn and what sort? What needle sizes, lengths, and types? And what additional notions and tools do I need to complete the project?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What size will I make? How do I interpret sizes, suggested fit, and schematic diagrams?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=12544\">Understanding Knitting-Pattern Abbreviations and Charts<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What do these abbreviated terms mean?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are knitting charts for?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=12545\">Reading Multi-Size Knitting-Pattern Instructions<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What do all these brackets mean? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Which instructions do I follow for my chosen size?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=12546\">Making Sense of Knitting-Pattern Finishing Instructions<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is blocking, and how do I weave in ends?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Note: While each designer or publisher writes knitting patterns slightly differently, we tend to share common conventions. We describe our own Tin Can Knits pattern-writing conventions in these tutorials, but once you understand these conventions, the variations that other designers use will be easier to learn and understand.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practice with a free pattern today!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put your new learning to the test and get started with one of our free knitting patterns from <a href=\"http:\/\/tincanknits.com\/thesimplecollection.html\">The Simple Collection<\/a>, a learn-to-knit series designed to help knitters make the next stitch and learn the next skill. And be sure to share this post with newer knitters you know who are still a little bit unclear about knitting-pattern conventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-masonry masonry-grid has-border-radius-5 has-medium-gutter\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1165\" height=\"777\" data-attachment-id=\"10472\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=10472\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SC-ryelight-07d.jpg?fit=2400%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2400,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"SC-ryelight-07d\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SC-ryelight-07d.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SC-ryelight-07d.jpg?resize=1165%2C777&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Rye Light Sock Pattern\" class=\"wp-image-10472\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1165\" height=\"1456\" data-attachment-id=\"12119\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=12119\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/theworldssimplestmittens-tck-1055-2.jpg?fit=2848%2C3560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2848,3560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"TheWorldsSimplestMittens-TCK-1055-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;These darling little mittens were made using our free pattern The World&amp;#8217;s Simplest Mittens. For yarn details see our Ravelry project page.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/theworldssimplestmittens-tck-1055-2.jpg?fit=819%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/theworldssimplestmittens-tck-1055-2.jpg?resize=1165%2C1456&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The World's Simplest Mittens Patterns\" class=\"wp-image-12119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/theworldssimplestmittens-tck-1055-2.jpg?w=2848&amp;ssl=1 2848w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/theworldssimplestmittens-tck-1055-2.jpg?w=2330&amp;ssl=1 2330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1165px) 100vw, 1165px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1165\" height=\"1456\" data-attachment-id=\"9215\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=9215\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/sc-barleylight-10d.jpg?fit=2400%2C3000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2400,3000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"SC-barleylight-10d\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Neve, a year previously, was wearing the Barley Light hat!&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/sc-barleylight-10d.jpg?fit=819%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/sc-barleylight-10d.jpg?resize=1165%2C1456&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Barley Light Hat Pattern\" class=\"wp-image-9215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/sc-barleylight-10d.jpg?w=2400&amp;ssl=1 2400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/sc-barleylight-10d.jpg?resize=400%2C500&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/sc-barleylight-10d.jpg?w=2330&amp;ssl=1 2330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1165px) 100vw, 1165px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"367\" height=\"550\" data-attachment-id=\"8399\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=8399\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sc-flax-06a.jpg?fit=367%2C550&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"367,550\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"SC-flax-06a\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sc-flax-06a.jpg?fit=367%2C550&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sc-flax-06a.jpg?resize=367%2C550&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Flax Sweater Pattern\" class=\"wp-image-8399\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-attachment-id=\"7243\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=7243\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/sc-grain-04b.jpg?fit=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"sc-grain-04b\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Grain is our latest addition to The Simple Collection&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/sc-grain-04b.jpg?fit=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/sc-grain-04b.jpg?resize=600%2C400&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Grain Shawl Pattern\" class=\"wp-image-7243\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" data-attachment-id=\"8401\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=8401\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sc-harvest-09.jpg?fit=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"SC-harvest-09\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sc-harvest-09.jpg?fit=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sc-harvest-09.jpg?resize=600%2C900&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Harvest Cardigan Pattern\" class=\"wp-image-8401\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large masonry-brick\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" data-attachment-id=\"5311\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?attachment_id=5311\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/sc-wheat-02b.jpg?fit=250%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"250,250\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"Wheat Scarf by Tin Can Knits\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Wheat Scarf by Tin Can Knits&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Wheat&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/sc-wheat-02b.jpg?fit=250%2C250&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/sc-wheat-02b.jpg?resize=250%2C250&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Wheat Scarf Pattern\" class=\"wp-image-5311\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are there any elements of pattern reading that you still find unclear?<a href=\"http:\/\/tincanknits.com\/contact.html\"> Contact us directly<\/a>, so we can improve this teaching tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">~ Emily and Alexa<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Great beginner knits from Tin Can Knits<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- wp:themify-builder\/canvas \/-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To follow a knitting pattern, a beginner must learn several conventions &#8211; this tutorial covers the language and shorthand that knitting patterns contain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2970212,"featured_media":21935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[969187],"tags":[175648154],"class_list":["post-12541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knitting-techniques","tag-the-simple-collection","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1z4ty-3gh","builder_content":"","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.tincanknits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Wheat-pattern-2.jpg?fit=2395%2C1256&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2970212"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12541"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21938,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12541\/revisions\/21938"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}