Skill Building Series Blog: Part 2 - How to Read Patterns

Welcome back to our Skill Building Series!

In Part 1, we focused on getting started. Now we’re diving deeper into the next layer of confidence-building: how to find knitting patterns, how to read them, and the essential tools that make following them feel smooth instead of stressful.

Reading a pattern can feel intimidating at first. There are abbreviations, sizing notes, materials lists, and rows of instructions that might look like a brand new language. Patterns are simply a recipe for a project using a shared language between designers and makers.

Once you understand how to navigate that language, and have a few fabulous tools of the trade in your project bag, everything begins to click. And when it does, you unlock a whole world of creative possibility.

We created this simple, beginner-friendly guide to walk you through each section of a pattern so you know exactly what you’re looking at and why it matters. From materials and gauge to sizing and abbreviations, this breakdown will help you approach patterns with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re casting on your very first project or finally ready to try something new, this guide is here to make patterns feel approachable, not intimidating. Let’s break it down.

Where to Find Knitting Patterns

There are so many amazing places to discover patterns:

• Ravelry - The largest knitting pattern database in the world. You can search by yarn weight, yardage, difficulty, and more. However you will have to sign up for an account to peruse patterns (it's free to sign up).

• Etsy - A wonderful maker marketplace to find beautifully formatted PDF pattern downloads from independent designers and rare vintage patterns that are no longer in publication.

• Payhip Marketplace - Many designers sell directly through this platform, which supports small creative businesses. It is also an alternative to Ravelry.

• The Library - Don’t forget your local library. You can borrow knitting books and magazines for free, making it an incredible way to explore patterns before purchasing.

• The Designer / Brands Website - Don’t forget to check a designer’s or yarn company’s own website. Many designers release patterns there first, offer exclusive discounts to their email / newsletter subscribers, or bundle patterns with curated yarn kits. Shopping directly through their site is a beautiful way to support small businesses, connect more personally with their work, and often gain access to bonus resources like tutorials, blog posts, or style inspiration.

Wherever you download from, you will usually receive a PDF pattern that you can save, print out yourself or use digitally on a device.

Helpful Apps for Reading Patterns

If you prefer to work from your phone, tablet or other digital device, these apps can be game changers:

• Ravit - A mobile app version of Ravelry that makes browsing and managing your library easier.

• KnitCompanion - Lets you highlight rows, track progress, and mark your pattern place digitally.

• Libby - Through Libby, you can borrow knitting books and magazines digitally for free from your local library, and download them seamlessly to your chosen device.
• My Row Counter - A simple and user-friendly stitch tracking app that helps you keep count of rows, repeats, and pattern sections without losing your place. It’s a wonderful beginner tool for staying organized and building confidence as you follow a pattern.

These apps are just a couple examples of what is out there to help with overwhelm and assist you to stay organized, especially on larger projects.

Essential Tools for a Beginner Knitter

Having the right tools makes your knitting journey a bit easier. These tools are not just accessories, they are confidence builders. They help you stay organized, keep your place, track your progress, and ensure your finished piece turns out just the way you imagined.

**Please note that these tools are not all imperative to have at the start, but they do make your journey easier to navigate. 

And because we love learning from each other, we asked the FDF team to share their favorite must-have tools. Below you can discover their favorites and see the tools they reach for again and again.

You can scoop up these favorite tools from the team by tapping the links below:

• Row counter • Small Scissors • Stitch Markers • Measuring Tape • Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends) • Interchangeable Needle Set • Stitch Fixer • Needle Gauge • Re:design Project 10 Bag • Fire Fly Notes Tins

Understanding Sizing and Measurements

Sizing can feel overwhelming, but picking a size for your project doesn't have to be.

Before choosing a size:

1. Measure yourself accurately using a soft measuring tape.

2. Compare your measurements to the pattern specifications or schematic.

3. Look at the recommended ease (how fitted or relaxed the garment is designed to be).

For accurate measuring standards, the Craft Yarn Council Standard Measurement Guide (as seen below) is an excellent industry resource designers use when grading patterns.

Remember: the size you knit is about your measurements, not the number on the label.

FDF Tip: Start with Simple Shapes

If you are newer to reading patterns, we love recommending simple, repetitive shapes like:

• Simple triangle shawls - such as our Sluice Box Shawl

• Classic Cowls - like our Belt Creek Cowl

These projects help you practice basic knitting skills such as casting on, binding off, stockinette stitch, rib stitch (a combination of knit and purl stitches), increases, decreases, knitting flat or in the round and reading row instructions without the pressure of garment shaping in the most delicious feeling yarn.

You will be surprised how much more your confidence grows after finishing each project, whatever it may be and if you have ever wanted a low-pressure project to practice reading a pattern, this is your sign.

Learning to read patterns is not about memorizing everything. It is about understanding structure. The more you practice, the more intuitive it becomes.

You are not behind. You are building.

See you in Part 3 💛