Japanese diagram pattern The patterns used in the Japanese knitting books are all written this way. Once you know how to read this, you do not need words! Please notice that the increase (or decrease) is indicated with series of numbers like the ones in the shaded box in above drawing. You must read these numbers from the BOTTOM. The + or - number in ( ) is the total number of increase or decrease. For example, if you see an instruction like the one above, you must: 1. cast on 10 st. 2. knit xx rows straight. 3. increase 1 st. on both sides on the next row. (= 0-1-1) 4. knit 8 rows. increase 1 st. on both sides on the 8th row. repeat this 5 more times. (= 8-1-6) 5. knit 6 rows. increase 1 st. on both sides on the 6th row. repeat this 1 more time. (= 6-1-2) If you see: 5-3-4 (-3) You are to knit 5 rows. Decrease 3 st. on the 5th row on which ever the side the arrow is indicated to. Repeat this step for 3 more times (as you have done once already). In other words: The first # is the number of rows to knit. The second # is the number of stitch to increase or decrease. The third # is the number of repeats for step 1&2. Eeeeeasy! Right? If you have more questions, please contact us. We will always follow up with any questions you may have.

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