Stitches & Techniques
How to Read a Knitting or Crochet Chart
Charts look confusing at first, but once you learn the symbols they reveal the whole pattern at a glance. Here's how to decode them.
The first time you open a pattern with a chart instead of written instructions, it can feel like looking at a foreign language. Rows of little squares filled with dots, crosses, and loops stare back at you, and it's not obvious where to begin. The good news is that charts follow a small set of consistent rules, and once you understand the logic behind them, reading one becomes much faster than wading through line after line of abbreviations.
This guide explains how charts work for both knitting and crochet, what the most common symbols mean, and how to track your place so you don't lose your spot mid-row.
What Is a Stitch Chart?
A stitch chart is a grid where each square represents one stitch and each row of squares represents one row (or round) of your work. The chart gives you a bird's-eye view of the whole fabric, so you can see how a pattern repeat builds before you've even picked up your needles or hook.
Charts almost always come with a key (sometimes called a legend) that explains what each symbol means. If a pattern includes a chart, look for the key nearby, whether printed beside the chart or at the start of the pattern's technique section. Never assume you know what a symbol means without checking the key, because different designers sometimes use the same symbol for different stitches.
Crochet charts and knitting charts share the same general concept but have different conventions for direction, symbols, and how rounds are handled. The sections below cover each craft separately.
How to Read a Crochet Chart
Crochet charts use small pictographic symbols that loosely resemble the actual stitch when it's worked. A chain stitch (ch) often looks like an oval or teardrop. A single crochet (sc) is typically marked with an X or a plus sign. A double crochet (dc) gets a vertical line with a crossbar to suggest the taller post of the stitch.
Direction when working flat. Crochet charts for flat (back-and-forth) pieces are read right to left on row 1 and left to right on row 2. This mirrors what happens physically: you start at the right edge, work across, turn, and come back. Rows alternate reading direction from then on.
Direction when working in the round. If you're working in joined rounds, every round is read counterclockwise around the chart, which is the same direction you crochet when the right side faces you. This is one reason charts are especially popular for motifs and mandalas where the round-by-round structure is easiest to visualize as a spiral grid.
Foundation chain. Most crochet charts start with a foundation chain at the bottom. Count the chain symbols carefully before you begin, because an accurate foundation chain count is what lets every row above it line up correctly.
Turning chains. You'll often see a chain or two at the beginning of each row representing the turning chain (t-ch). A turning chain for a dc row is usually 3 chains; for sc it's typically 1. The chart key or pattern notes will tell you whether that turning chain counts as the first stitch in the row or not.
How to Read a Knitting Chart
Knitting charts use a simpler visual shorthand. Empty squares usually mean knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side. A dot or horizontal dash inside a square usually means purl on the right side and knit on the wrong side. More complex stitches like cables, yarn-overs (yo), and decreases each get their own symbol, all defined in the chart's key.
Direction when working flat. Right-side (RS) rows are read right to left. Wrong-side (WS) rows are read left to right. Most charts label their rows along the sides to help you keep track. Odd-numbered rows are typically right-side rows; even-numbered rows are typically wrong-side rows, though this can vary by designer, so check the pattern notes.
Direction when working in the round. When you knit in the round, the right side always faces you, so every round is read right to left all the way around. There are no wrong-side rows to worry about, which is one reason circular knitting simplifies many colorwork and lace charts considerably. If you plan to take on hat or sock patterns, getting comfortable with how to knit in the round will make chart reading feel much more natural.
Stitch repeats. Most knitting charts show one pattern repeat, which is the smallest section that tiles across the fabric. A heavy border, bracket, or highlighted column usually marks the repeat. Count the stitches inside the repeat, then count the stitches on your needle to confirm your cast-on is a multiple that divides evenly.
Common Symbols and What They Mean
No single organization controls every knitting or crochet symbol, but the most common ones appear in the tables below. Always verify against the chart's own key.
Knitting symbols (common):
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Empty square | Knit on RS, purl on WS |
| Dot or dash | Purl on RS, knit on WS |
| O | Yarn-over (yo) |
| / | K2tog (knit 2 together, right-leaning decrease) |
| \ | SSK (slip, slip, knit, left-leaning decrease) |
| > < crossed | Cable crossing |
For a closer look at how yarn-overs and paired decreases work in practice, see increases and decreases in knitting explained.
Crochet symbols (common):
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Oval or teardrop | Chain stitch (ch) |
| X or + | Single crochet (sc) (UK: double crochet, dc) |
| T with one crossbar | Half double crochet (hdc) |
| T with two crossbars | Double crochet (dc) (UK: treble, tr) |
| T with three crossbars | Treble crochet (tr) (UK: double treble, dtr) |
| Joined arrows or cluster | Decrease or cluster stitch |
UK crochet terms use different names for the same stitches, and a chart made in a UK context will reflect that. When in doubt, check whether the pattern specifies US or UK terminology.
Tips for Tracking Your Place
Losing your row is the most common frustration when working from a chart. A few habits help.
Use a sticky note or ruler. Place it directly below the row you're about to work. This hides completed rows and keeps your eye on the right line. Moving it down one row each time you finish is faster than hunting for your place by counting.
Mark the chart. Print the chart if possible and use a pencil to tick off each completed row. Some knitters use highlighter tape (removable, semi-transparent) so they can reuse the chart without marking the original.
Place stitch markers. When a chart shows a pattern repeat, place a stitch marker on your needle or hook at the start of each repeat. If your stitch count goes wrong, you'll catch the mistake within one repeat instead of at the end of the whole row.
Check your stitch count regularly. A simple rule: count your stitches every four or five rows. This matters especially for lace and cables, where a missed yarn-over or extra stitch can distort the whole motif.
Ribbing charts are a good starting point for newer knitters because they use only knit and purl symbols. If you haven't tried charted ribbing yet, how to knit ribbing (knit 1, purl 1) for beginners walks through a basic chart you can practice with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use charts, or can I always follow written instructions? Many patterns offer both. Written instructions spell out each row in words and abbreviations; charts give you the visual overview. Neither is inherently easier; it depends on how your brain processes information. A lot of knitters and crocheters who started out avoiding charts come to prefer them once the symbols feel familiar, because the chart lets you see where you are in the pattern at a glance.
Why does my chart read differently on wrong-side rows? Because your fabric has flipped. When you work flat, you turn your work at the end of each row, so the stitches that face you on a wrong-side row are the backs of the stitches you see on a right-side row. The chart is always drawn from the right-side perspective, so on a wrong-side row you have to work the mirror of what the symbol shows. An empty square (knit on RS) becomes a purl on the WS; a dot (purl on RS) becomes a knit on the WS.
What does "no stitch" mean on a knitting chart? Some charts use a shaded or black square to indicate "no stitch." This appears in charts where the stitch count changes across rows, such as in certain lace or entrelac patterns. A no-stitch square is a placeholder to keep the grid rectangular; you simply skip over it and move to the next symbol.
Can I use a knitting chart for crochet? Generally no, because crochet stitches have different heights and the symbols are different. A knitting chart assumes each square is the same height (one knitting stitch), while crochet stitches range from the tiny single crochet to the taller treble. Mixing systems will give you the wrong fabric structure. Stick to charts made for the specific craft you're using.
My chart key uses abbreviations I don't recognize. What do I do? Look at the beginning of the full pattern for a general abbreviations list. If the term still isn't there, a quick search for the abbreviation plus the words "knitting" or "crochet" will almost always turn up the answer. Designers sometimes invent custom stitches for a specific pattern, in which case they'll usually include a tutorial or stitch description alongside the chart.