How to Read a Knitting Pattern
To read a written knitting pattern, start by looking for the size you want to make. Typically, the instructions will tell you how many stitches to make for a size small item first, then in parentheses, they'll have the stitch counts for medium, large, and extra large. Follow the instructions for one row at a time. A comma separates 2 different steps, and an asterisk means that the instruction should be repeated. However, brackets and parentheses indicate that only a section of the instruction should be repeated.
Decide what you want to knit. Choose a knitting project that you want to start, whether it is something for yourself or another person. You might decide on an easier knitting project, like a scarf, if you're a beginner. Or choose a project based on wanting to learn a new skill, stitch, or pattern. If you're knitting something for a friend, ask them exactly what they want. Jot down some notes on the color, size, and type of yarn they want, or even have them send you a photo of something similar they like. Search for a knitting pattern. Check out crafting or sewing stores or look online for a knitting pattern of your choice to start reading the pattern and embark on the project. You'll find knitting patterns in the yarn section of a craft store, or near the sewing patterns or other guides. Look out for knitting patterns of different difficulty levels (easy, intermediate, difficult) depending on your experience and knitting ability. If you find your knitting pattern online, you may want to print it out to easily refer to it throughout your project. Gather supplies according to the knitting pattern. Buy yarn and knitting needles according the recommendations provided with the pattern for best results. Knitting needles generally come in aluminum, wood, or plastic varieties ranging from sizes numbered 0000 to 50. There are also special circular and double pointed needles for certain projects. Yarn comes in a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials at different weights and in different colors. Ensure that the length of the yarn you buy is enough for the project it calls for. You might choose different yarn and needles than the pattern suggests to achieve a different effect, but you should test out the result by knitting a few test rows first. Follow S, M, L, XL for size. Pay attention to the size differences if a pattern provides them. Instructions will generally be listed with the smallest size first and the others in parentheses in this format: S (M, L, XL). For example, if a pattern tells you to cast on 10 (12, 14, 16) stitches to begin and you want to make a size Large, you would choose 14 stitches to cast on. Note the dimensions that the pattern provides for the completed size. The right size for you will likely differ from the typical size you would buy in a store. It is useful to use a highlighter to mark the corresponding numbers for the size you choose to knit throughout the entire pattern before you begin. This makes it much easier to follow the instructions according to your size. The size of the finished item is sometimes stated as the size "after blocking." Blocking is a technique of shaping fabric, usually after washing. For instance, many sweaters are blocked by laying them out and patting them into place while they are still damp, then leaving them to dry. Understand written terms and abbreviations. Follow the meanings for these phrases when they appear: As established: Continue to knit the center part of a pattern that you have already set up (the pattern may call for adding or subtracting stitches at either end of the center pattern). BO: Bind off (aka cast off) to finish your knitted piece. CO: Cast on to begin knitting the pattern with a certain number of stitches. Dec: Decrease, or eliminate one or more stitches by working two stitches together as one, or another method that your pattern will specify. Inc: Increase, or add one or more stitches by working the front and then the back of the same stitch, or another method that your pattern will specify. K: Knit a knit stitch. P: Knit a purl stitch. Rep: Repeat the preceding instruction the given number of times. RS: Right side, meaning the outside or side that people will see when the item is worn. Sl: Slip one or more stitches from one needle to the other. Sts: Stitches. Tog: Work two or more stitches together. Work even: Continue knitting as you have been, without increasing or decreasing stitches. WS: Wrong side, meaning the inside or side that people will not see when the item is worn. YO: Yarn over, meaning take the yarn over the needle. Understand the meaning of symbols. Follow the meanings of the following symbols, which will appear between other terms and abbreviations to indicate actions: An asterisk (*): Placed before an instruction that should be repeated (rep). A comma (,): Separates two different steps in the knitting pattern. Brackets [ ] / Parentheses ( ): Indicate a section of the instruction to be repeated (rep) a certain number of times. Follow the instructions for one row at a time. Use the given written instructions and symbols together to knit each row of the pattern. For example, the pattern could read: CO 14 sts. Begin your pattern by making a slip knot on one needle, then casting on 13 more stitches. Note that a slip knot always counts as a stitch in knitting, unlike crocheting. Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2; rep from * across, end K2. Begin the first row (which will be on the right side of the garment) by knitting two stitches, then purling two stitches, and repeating this sequence until the final two stitches of the row, which you will knit. Row 2 (WS): *P2, K2; rep from * across, end P2. Begin the second row (which will be on the wrong side of the garment) by purling two stitches, then knitting two stitches, and repeating this sequence until the final two stitches of the row, which you will purl. Choose a pattern with a chart if you’re advanced. Avoid a knitting pattern that provides only charts without written instructions if you are just beginning to read patterns, as it takes some practice to read charts. You may choose a knitting pattern chart over written instructions if you are more of a visual person and prefer reading instructions from symbols rather than words. Follow the key for the chart. Read the key provided for a knitting pattern chart, which will tell you what each symbol in a square means. In general, the following symbols mean: Blank square: Knit a stitch (right side) / purl a stitch (wrong side) Horizontal line: Purl a stitch (right side) / knit a stitch (wrong side) Diagonal line: Knit two stitches together (a decrease) Circle: Yarn over Follow the chart to knit one row at a time. Read the chart from bottom to top. A right side (RS) row will be read from right to left, while a wrong side (WS) row will be read from left to right. If the bottom row of a chart has two blank squares, followed by two horizontal lines: Start row 1 (RS) by reading the row right to left, which would mean purl two stitches (p2) then knit two stitches (k2). If the row is wrong side (WS), it will be read left to write, meaning knit two stitches (k2) then purl two stitches (p2). The pattern will specify how to read each row based on the key and whether the row is right side or wrong side. 
Decide what you want to knit. Search for a knitting pattern. Gather supplies according to the knitting pattern. Follow S, M, L, XL for size. Understand written terms and abbreviations. Understand the meaning of symbols. Follow the instructions for one row at a time. Choose a pattern with a chart if you’re advanced. Follow the key for the chart. Follow the chart to knit one row at a time. 