Reading and Following Patterns

[Shandeh]

How do you go about following knit and crochet patterns?
Do you make a copy of the pattern, so you can mark on it as you go?
Do you use post-it notes to mark your progress?
Do you use colored pencils to organize sections by color?
Do you re-write sections out row by row, and check off each row as you complete it?
Do you use a row counter when you do your work?
Do you use SEVERAL row counters as you work?
Do you prefer to only view your pattern on your computer or other gadget, to conserve paper?
How do you mark your pattern, so you know exactly where you left off at your last sitting?

[Shandeh]

When I start a new project, I usually print out a copy of the pattern. But before printing, I like to copy the text, enlarge it in a computer document, and arrange it row by row, so it's easy for me to check off my progress.

If I come to a section where there are color changes and row decreases or increases happening simultaneously, I will make a spreadsheet, listing each row - showing which color I am using, along with the stitch pattern.

If I need to use a row counter, I will write down the color of my row counter on the pattern, so I will grab the right one for the project when I pick it back up again. (never fails....I have four different projects going, with row counters for each of them, and they get mixed up)

Same with stitch markers. I use a different colored stitch marker at the beginning of each section, and write down the color of the marker on the pattern.

Yeah, I'm a little OCD.

[lialab]

First I print a copy of the pattern, second, I read it thouroughly, (I hate to read it on the computer) then I mark my sheets with a pencil (easier to erase if I mix up) then I follow with a ruler to be sure I don't skip a line, and I marked each row as I go. generally it works

[Shichemell]

I use my iphone for everything.

I open the PDF files in ibooks, and then make ‘notes' if I have trouble keeping track of the rows or stitches. I have more crochet patterns in ibooks than I do books.

[joyousday]

If it's an easy pattern I just leave it up on the computer and get knitting and will go reference it if needed. If one side is an increase I will place a marker on that side and knit until I reach the desired amount of stitches and move on from there.

If it's a tedious pattern and every one is different I will print it out and check off every row that I have done so if I have to put it down I can go back to what I was doing. I have put a project down, gone to use the facilities, come back and not remember what I was doing

[Stitchintraveler]

If it's an easy pattern I just leave it up on the computer and get knitting and will go reference it if needed. If one side is an increase I will place a marker on that side and knit until I reach the desired amount of stitches and move on from there.

If it's a tedious pattern and every one is different I will print it out and check off every row that I have done so if I have to put it down I can go back to what I was doing. I have put a project down, gone to use the facilities, come back and not remember what I was doing

I thought that I was the only one that would forget what I was doing if I put a project down. I have to be very OCD about where I put things - same place every single time I put it down - or I will spend hours looking for something that is practically under my nose. So forgetting where I am in a pattern is not unusual for me.