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Question on written and graph pattern directions (help)

2937 views 3 replies Latest reply: May 8, 2019 at 7:51:45 AM

Member since:
Apr 6, 2019
Posts: 5

Asedai message #1
Question on written and graph pattern directions (help)
May 6, 2019 at 9:48:17 AM

Hello. I have a question please. I uploaded/downloaded the picture I wanted to crochet and downloaded/printed the written directions. It seemed like the written directions were off and I had to go back on several occasions so I wanted to ask the following question and hope it makes sense.

This would be a small sample as obviously each row is much longer:

Row 4: Medium Red (12), Light Orange (1)...

Row 5: White (1), Medium Red (6) …

Row 6: Medium Red (11), White (9), Medium Red (9)….

Row 7: Light Orange (1), White (9), Light Orange (1), Medium Red (4), White (11)….

When you have uploaded/downloaded pictures to crochet is the written pattern taking

into consideration that you are turning your work and then working back from the other side of your project ?

Or am I to look to the next row as an odd numbered row and read it from the end to the beginning? (i.e. on row 7 started at end of line and reading right to left White...Medium Red, Light Orange, White, Light Orange? (wild suggestion I know :O)

Hope that question makes sense. I am using a single crochet and I am counting my stitches etc but I don't know how/why but it just isn't working out right.

I assume it would be written exactly as I would crochet. Is it better to use the picture graph rather than the written instructions

Any suggestions and answers would be absolutely awesome as I don't really want to abandon the project.

Thank you!

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: Question on written and graph pattern directions (help)
May 7, 2019 at 1:50:58 AM (in response to Asedai message #1)

Asedai,

Welcome!

When you read a word pattern that has been made by the freePatternWizard, you don't need to reverse rows; the software reverses every other row for you.

The picture graph vs the word pattern is a personal choice. Some find the word pattern easier to follow; others prefer the graph. If you find you're struggling with the word pattern, you may find the graph easier to follow.

What kind of problem are you having? Is it that your colors aren't lining up? Are the counts off because the rows aren't all adding up the same? Have you sampled a few rows to see that the numbers all add up? (In case some new issue has cropped up and we don't yet know about it!)

Hope that helps!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

Member since:
Apr 6, 2019
Posts: 5

Asedai message #3
Re: Question on written and graph pattern directions (help)
May 7, 2019 at 6:47:51 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #2)

Hello and thank you for your assistance. The error must be mine as I went back and counted out each color/row again. I am not sure how but the number of stitches I worked increased in total row of 4 extra and of course the start / stop of the colors is off. Now I have to figure out how I can get it back on track without undoing much more than I already have. I think I have pulled out a little less than a foot of work in hopes of doing just that.

I think I ended up adding more because of the end of the row when I am adding 1 sc when I am turning. When you then turn it and make your next stitch do you actually count that very first chain stitch as a stitch? I read someone else that you don't count it because it is actually still a part of the previous row. Is this correct?

Thank you for your reply. I guess I took on a project that perhaps I am not as advanced as I should be or should have started with a pattern that was smaller and easier before taking on an entire afghan!

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: Question on written and graph pattern directions (help)
May 8, 2019 at 7:51:45 AM (in response to Asedai message #3)

Asedai,

You're so welcome!

Glad to hear you figured out what was wrong. Sometimes that's half the battle!

When it comes to something like graphed work or a pattern where stitch count is critical, what I like to do is to not count the turning chain as a stitch. With double crochet, a turning chain has bulk and looks more like a double crochet, so I'll count that, but I personally feel like a chain doesn't look enough like a stitch, so I sort of count it as merely part of a single crochet, not a standalone single, if that makes sense. But then I also have to be absolutely sure that I start my single crochets in the very first stitch and finish in the very last one for every row, so as not to have what you're talking about happen - an unwanted increase.

I often recommend starting with a smaller project, such as a pillow or even a dishcloth, to get a feel for how such a project will work. But no worries...except for a bit of frustration, it sounds like you'll be okay and will be able to work even from now on.

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