So, now that we’ve taken a look at knitting abbreviations, let’s apply those abbreviations to a pattern and see what other symbols pop up.

Sample Knitting Pattern 1

CO 40 sts
Row 1-6: k all sts
Row 7: k5, p to last 5 sts, k5
Row 8: k all sts
Row 9: k5, p to last 5 sts, k5
Rep Rows 8 & 9 until piece measures 5”
Next 6 rows: k all sts
BO all sts, weave in ends

The above sample pattern will result in a square that has a garter stitch border and a stockinette center (see image below). It’s a common pattern for knitting a gauge swatch (more on gauge in a later post).

What about a pattern that has stitch repeats rather than row repeats? What does that look like? I’ll show you.

The sample pattern above was knit flat, and while stitch repeats do happen in flat-knit items (especially lace), they are super common when knitting in the round.

Sample Knitting Pattern 2

CO 6 sts on DPNs or using Magic Loop (two techniques for knitting a small circumference)
Rnd 1: kfb in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 2 and all even rnds: k all sts
Rnd 3: *kfb, k1, rep from * around (18 sts)
Rnd 5: *kfb, k2, rep from * around (24 sts)
Rnd 7: *kfb, k3, rep from * around (30 sts)
Rnd 9: *kfb, k4, rep from * around (36 sts)
Rnd 10-14: k all sts
Rnd 15: *k2tog, k4, rep from * around (30 sts)
Rnd 17: *k2tog, k3, rep from * around (24 sts)
Rnd 19: *k2tog, k2, rep from * around (18 sts)
Rnd 21: *k2tog, k1, rep from * around (12 sts)
Rnd 23: *k2tog, rep from * around (6 sts)
Cut yarn and weave tail into last 6 sts, tie off.

This sample pattern will result in a knitted ball. The first 9 rounds increased the diameter, then the 5 rounds with no increasing built the sides, and the last 9 rounds closed the sphere.

The asterisk at the beginning of the instructions marks the position you need to return to when the pattern says, “repeat from *”. You simply return to the point where the asterisk sits and work the instructions the indicated amount of times. Some patterns will tell you a specific number of repeats to do. Others, like the one above, will instruct you to repeat until you reach the end of the round (or row if knit flat).

That it for this week’s Reading Knitting and Crochet Patterns. Join me next week and we’ll talk about the various construction techniques for knitting sweaters.

Do you like to knit flat or in the round? My preference is for knitting in the round–from sweaters to hats and mittens in between, there are so many ways to knit in the round and it seems to hold my interest longer than items knit flat–although I am finding and increasing joy in knit flat and seamed garments lately.

Leave me a comment below with your preference. “See” you next week!