A LITTLE HELP ALONG THE WAY
Charts and how-tos for
“wait, which row?”
Quick references and worked examples for the numbers in your patterns.
How to use a row counter for knitting: a beginner’s guide
When to tap, what counts as row 1, and how to find your place again.
Read the guide REFERENCE CHARTKnitting needle size chart: US, UK and metric
Every common needle size side by side, from 1.5 mm to 25 mm.
See the chart REFERENCE CHARTYarn weight chart, from lace to jumbo
Gauge, needle and hook ranges for each yarn weight.
See the chart REFERENCE CHARTCrochet hook size chart: letters and millimeters
US letter sizes matched to millimeters, B-1 to T/U/X.
See the chart PATTERN BASICS · 2 MIN READWhat do RS and WS mean in knitting?
Right side, wrong side, and how to tell which one you’re on.
Read the guide COUNTING & REPEATS · 3 MIN READHow to keep track of knitting pattern repeats
Separate your overall progress from your place in a repeat.
Read the guide SHAPING · 3 MIN READHow to space increases evenly across a row
A worked example, with a clear difference between stitches and rows.
Read the guide PATTERN BASICS · 4 MIN READHow to read pattern repeats: asterisks, brackets and “rep from *”
What *, [ ] and “rep from *” mean, and the “more times” trap.
Read the guide PATTERN BASICS · REFERENCECommon knitting abbreviations: k2tog, ssk, m1l, pm and more
k2tog, ssk, m1l, kfb, pm, sm and the rest, in plain English.
Read the guide SHAPING · 4 MIN READHow to space sleeve decreases evenly (“decrease every 6th row 8 times”)
What “every 6th row” means, and how to work out your own spacing.
Read the guide GAUGE · 4 MIN READHow to measure knitting gauge, and what to do if yours is off
Knit a swatch, measure it, and fix it if it’s off.
Read the guide YARN · 4 MIN READHow to substitute yarn in a knitting pattern
Match the weight, work out the yardage, and think about fiber.
Read the guide YARN · 4 MIN READHow to organize your yarn stash
Sort it, store it safely, and know what you have.
Read the guide CROCHET · 3 MIN READHow to keep track of rows in crochet
Turning chains, rounds, markers, and counting rows in your fabric.
Read the guide