TO CHART OR NOT TO CHART??
THE AGE old question: should i include chartS even with Great written instructions?
Here are some chart PROS and CONS if the struggle is real:
CHART PROS ✅
Accessibility - Charts can help knitters who may have language barriers or are reading your pattern in their non-native language. Charts transcend languages, and make your pattern accessible to a wider range of knitters.
Space saving - Charts convey a lot of information in a small amount of space. This is great for patterns that will be included in publications, or if your pattern is particularly long.
Adaptability - Many knitters will enlarge and print out a chart, making personal amendments to help them read it, like highlighting or using a ruler to keep their place.
Difficult or intricate patterns - Charts are notoriously great for patterns that feature lace, cables and colorwork.
Visual reference - Many knitters like that a chart gives them visual cues as to what their project should look like, and find it helpful to compare their knitting to the symbols on the chart.
Great chart-creating tools - There are many well-designed and intuitive tools available to help you create your own charts with only a small learning curve. Some popular software includes Stitchmastery, Stitch Fiddle and Chart Minder.
CHART CONS ❌
Who makes the chart? Maybe you’re a designer who doesn’t have the time or inclination to learn chart-making. In that case, you have to hire someone and invest money in the process.
OVERWHELMING! Charts can be incredibly overwhelming for some knitters, especially complicated ones that feature many different techniques.
Visual barriers - Some knitters have difficulty reading charts due to vision problems, finding that the squares blend together or that they have a hard time deciphering small symbols, especially on a screen.
My brain just doesn’t work like that! Some people cannot read charts due to the way their brains process information. It is a unique skill that not everybody can (or wants!) to learn.
Experience level - Many knitters admit that they could not understand charts until they gained experience as a knitter. This means that providing only charts in Easy or Beginner patterns may deter knitters from purchasing them.
Matchy matchy! The rule of thumb is that the chart must match the written instructions exactly, and the same garment should be produced by using either method. That may mean more time spent on proof-reading or tech editing.
