The BEST charting style is obviously the one YOU prefer. Thanks to everyone participating with their comments about the two chart styles presented in last week’s bit-size tutorial. There clearly was a diverse set of opinions both pro and con because of the trade-offs in using the chart as a visual tool vs. a tool for aligning stitches in the working row to the previous row’s stitches.
What I really want you to take away from this is to feel comfortable with what you prefer and don’t prefer. There is really no right or wrong answer. But by seeing different styles, it becomes easier over time to deal with recognizing their similarities and differences if/when you encounter them. Don’t hesitate to translate them to your preferred way of seeing things. Either through mentally changing gears, or actually re-writing the chart in your preferred notation/style. Using help-mates like highlighting with your own visual cues can help, too.
For example, what happens when we come up with a hybrid version of the chart that attempts to take some of the best parts of each of those 2 styles? Let’s first give a brief redux of each style previously presented:
- The chart with “no stitch” symbols more clearly showed there are interior decreases and increases, and where the actual stitches aligned when knitted.
Chart for Lacy Cable Scallop Edging in the "no stitch" style
- On the other hand, the chart without the “no stitch” symbols showed which edge was shaped. However, if you compare the visual of this chart to what results when knitted, you will see that your lace edge has only one scallop each 8-row repeat; i.e. not 2 scallops as might be inferred by just casually looking at this chart.
Chart for Lacy Cable Scallop Edging in the "shaped edge" style
Here is a hybrid of the two chart styles presented in last week’s bit-size tutorial.
Hybrid chart
Several comments were also made about the preferred style of row numbering; i.e. with or without extended lines. Again, both have pros and both have cons. Here is a comparison of how the hybrid version looks without the line continuations for the row numbers:
Hybrid chart (without extended row number lines)
Feel free to try out any of these other chart versions for knitting the edging of your Summer Lace Anklets. And as always, feel free to chime in with your comments and questions.
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About row numbering and using charts. I use highlighter tape, which is getting easier and easier to find to mark my charts as I am working. Also, there are magnetized chart holders that you can use as well. I tend to “cover up” the line above where I am currently knitting. I like the row numbers to be present at the end of the row, as it is easier for me to keep track of the row. I also prefer “non-charted rows” not to be present on a chart, these are often the even rows, or purl back rows in lace knitting.
I have used post it notes, magnetic holders, a pen to cross out the rows below that are completed, and the highlighter tape above the row I am working on.
I tend to like the highlighter tape method as it helps keep your eye from wandering off your current row, and also you can see through it and watch the chart as you go.