Color Charts

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I work a lot better with written directions than I do a chart, but this pattern is just stocking stitch with colored stitches intermarried with the background stitch. So, my question is- how does one read a chart? I think it's the left to right, then right to left thing that throws me off. Any suggestions on how to make it easier. I haven't started the pattern yet, because it looks so daunting. The panel of stitches is like 80 wide, so would it be a good idea to put stitch markers in, even though the chart doesn't show any? Help!

[flapjack]

OK. First row you start at the bottom RH corner and work across to the bottom LH corner. Second row (purling) you go L-R. Third row, R-L, and so on.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

Thanks, never would have guessed that. Ok, so any ideas on how to keep track of where I am?

[flapjack]

Practice helps Seriously, after a while you get the hang of picturing where you are in relation to the stitches. If you put a lifeline in at the bottom of your work, then you can count the number of Vs above it and so the number of rows you've done. I don't like using too many stitch markers because they make my tension go funny, but you can put a marker in every 20 stitches or so if you want to.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

ok, another question, what's a lifeline?

[flapjack]

A lifeline is what it sounds like. Run a sewing needle with a different yarn (I use cotton) through the stitches on your needles after finishing something hard, or before starting something hard. If you need to frog, you can just pull your needles out and pull the yarn and then slide your needles back into place and it takes minutes instead of lots of minutes.
It also limits how far a dropped stitch can go- fantastic if you're knitting lace.