There are probably just as many good ways to help keep your place in a chart as there are people here in our group, lol. Just type a search term like “keeping your place in a chart” into Google and you will read lots of suggestions. So I’m not even going to attempt to tell you all the ways because you are likely to already have a foundation for your own preferences. In fact, I am going to ask you later below to help me out by sharing your own favorite.
For the bit-sized story here, I’m going to just touch on a couple of main points —
We’ve already covered good working conditions for avoiding mistakes. Applying those to our reading of charts goes doubly ditto. Especially the part about good lighting, contrast and magnification if necessary. For example, charts in some publications can be terribly tiny or difficult to read. So, enlarge or re-transcribe them to make it easier to see. Highlight with different colors any symbols that are confusingly similar.
I am partial to using some kind of straight edge to keep my place, whether it is in written instructions or charted. Sometimes I just use a ruler, sometimes a magnet strip on a metal board (like cross stitchers use), and sometimes removable post-it note(s). Some people like to use removable highlighter tape. The idea is that you can use whatever helps you focus on the row you are working.
The main difference I would suggest in keeping your place on a chart (vs. what I do in written instructions) is to put the straight edge focus ABOVE the row you are working on.
I know the logical thing seems to be that you would put the straight edge below (because that is what we’ve usually been taught to do when keeping our place when reading text). It’s not wrong to do so, but this is where you can really leverage the usefulness of charts being visual representations. So I’d really like you to try the ABOVE method with charts if you haven’t done so before.
The similarity in visual representation of the rows you have already worked on the chart, compared to the knitting hanging below your needle at the place in the row you are now working, will help you keep your place in the chart.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have a favorite bit-sized tip for keeping your place in a chart that you’d like to share? Don’t be shy. There are no wrong answers. Let’s see how many different ones come up!
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I like using the highlighter tape that is out now. I put my pattern into a plastic sleeve to help the tape last longer.
I usually use a magnetic chart keeper as that long strip of magnet can tell me which row I’m on. When I’m on the bottom of the page I have a couple of smaller magnets that hold the paper in place. Lifelines are a must when the piece is large — they’re so easy to use and I don’t want to tell you how many times I’ve blessed my own heart for using them.
I was working on a “mystery” shawl once that kept increasing the size of the chart as it got larger. Since there were no actual pattern repeats that I could discern I used her charts as they came, taping the 8.5 x 11 pieces together and then using a cookie sheet as my magnetic chart stand and multiple highlighters.. And no, I never finished it; lesson being don’t do any mystery KAL until you know the person running it (and whomever wrote the pattern) actually know what the dickens they are doing!
I have a magnetic board but I find it most useful and portable to use highlighter tape (from the office supply store — much cheaper than elsewhere) on the row above the one I’m working on.
I’ve used the plastic strips that stick to the pattern using static – you rub them on the paper and put in place. Easy to move up or down. When I’m done for the evening, I’ll use the highlighter tape to mark my place – the plastic strip will most likely shift.
I have a program on my ipad that I go to. It has, rows completed,
pattern rows, pattern repeats and decrease rows. It’s very handy to have,
there’s no need for paper and pencil, it’s great!
could you please tell me what the program is you are using on your ipad? it sounds like something i would like to get. thanks so much!
I’ve used a magnetic board for years and liked it a lot. My current favorite is using highlighting tape on the current row. I can easily see what I have already done, what I am working on now, and what comes next. The tape is lightly tacky and easy to move up the rows. And cheap, so I feel free to use a new one as often as I like! I also use a lifeline when the pattern is complicated or there are a lot of stitches. Generally, I also use a sticky note to write down the next row when I put my knitting aside and come back later. This ole brain needs lotsa help!
I use 2 large paper clips. I fold the chart so there is the row # showing and slip the paper clips at each end of the row I’m working on. With each row being numbered, I know which end I’m working from so only put a check mark when I’m done that row and move up the paper clips to the next row.
For written instructions, I use paper clips but with a strip of paper that covers the row above so I know where to stop when I look at the page. Again, I check mark the row once it’s done.
For really complicated designs and chart changes, I also add a special stitch marker to the knitting alerting me that I’m coming up to something new.
I too use the magnetic board with the magnetic strips and place the strip just above the row I’m working..Works great for me…
I also highlight the stitches that look similar (so I’ll highlight the ssk in one colour and either leave the k2tog or highlight it in a different colour)..
I love knitting with charts, and like others, I use a magnetic board. I enlarge the pattern then colour code the ssk’ and k2tog’s so I can knit and watch tv. I also use a row counter which I attach to a lanyard and wear around my neck. Between that and occasional lifelines I have been successful.
I copy/scan pattern and use a highlighter. Or post-it notes.
I finished a large lace shawl last month that had over 300 rows, and ended up with over 500 stitches to cast off. It had multiple charts for each phase and section. I ended up using two clip boards, as I had two charts to follow for each row, actually three, and all three would not fit on one board. I used a piece of mat board, cut to length of the chart to follow, about an inch in depth, to place on the correct row.
I placed one end of the mat board under the spring loaded end of the clip board, and moved it up each row. I agree with placing the edge of the ruler or whatever you are using “above” the row you are knitting. I would put a check mark at the end of the row when it was completed.
This was a challenging piece of knitting for me, but worth the effort and I’m enjoying the results.
When I am working on a chart, I color code the stitches that make up the design. It really works for me especially if there are 2 or 3 different types of cables in the design.I keep a slip on the needle row counter to keep up on the number of the rows in the chart.
I have a magnetic board with strips that I use. I am also a row counterso I always have it attached to my project
I like to use post-it notes, or post-it flags. This is not my tip, but one I grabbed from someone else and tried it. It works fabulously. I think, though I will put an arrow on the flag to show which side is the one I am using to mark my place! I was working on a doily and left it for about a month and when I got back, I could not figure out which side of the flag was the actually marker! LOL So now I have to figure out where I am and start from there!