How do you read a new pattern?

[darski]

I'm wondering how many people check out a pattern by reading it all before starting it...

 

I know situations vary but just generally how you proceed.

[thecrochetdude]

I'm usually too excited to get started to actually read through a pattern. I skim it because, well, my mom always told me to read them through and that's the best that I can do.

 

[renegade]

I've never had the patience to read through a pattern first. I look at the picture, and if I like it, I just sit down and start making it, reading as I go along. There are times when the pattern may be confusing to me, but I usually find referring to the picture helps me figure things out.

[iSiSfae]

when i'm searching for a new pattern in books i already have or on the internet, then i'll read the pattern all the way through b/c i won't have any yarn near me.

 

if at the craft store and i find a free pattern, i'll read it to make sure i can do it before i get the yarn for it.

 

but most of the time, i'll flip through a book or mag and see a pic, grab some yarn out of my stash and just start working

[eurolyons]

For the most part any pattern I work with, crocheting, knitting, sewing or craft, I skim through at least once to get the concept down...depending on what the item is though, many times I can just look at a picture and have a pretty good idea how to go about making the item in question...and then use the pattern kind of like a double check to make sure I'm on the right track...saves headaches that way.

[Yammy]

Lately I've had kind of a bad run of patterns so mostly I just look at the picture, get the starting chain and just wing it.

[darski]

Eurolyons, you're back! nice to have you with us again.

[Natasha]

I skim any pattern I am considering, only because I want to know if there are a bunch of bobbles or some other stitch I don't like (I can't tell a popcorn from a bobble in a picture).

[KnicKnac]

I am a skimmer. What I look at are the stitches, what kind of stitches the pattern in calling for. If I think I know the stitches pretty well, then I just go ahead and forge on.

[rosebud1st]

Wow! You all must be loaded with talent. (smiling) I have to read the pattern line by line. Especially, if I want it to look like the picture. I always read it. I might make a few changes to suit me or do something different to (in my opinion) improve, but I generally always read it line by line first.

[Debbi-a1]

I look at the picture, if I like it, look at the materials and if it's something I want to do based on that, I just start. I do it row by row.

[Ladykats]

If I like the picture, I will then skim the directions, Then my stash if I have the yarn. Every sale I will just about buy yarn. It is really funny that my guest room doesn't have storage space left for guests. It is all yarn storage.

 

Tracey

[angieInCA]

I skim through to see if I really want to make it or to see if there is anything I need to figure out (new stitches, openings, finishing)before i'm deep in the project. I also look to see if there is anything I would change or do differently before I start so I can plan ahead.

[Katchkan]

I will normally do a light skim of the pattern and I do mean light. Then forge on. Normally I can tell what needs to be done and know I can adjust as I go if necassary. Though I rarely use a pattern anymore. I do if it's something that's really caught my eye.

[Nevermore]

I also skim through just to make sure I understand how to do all the stitches, decreases, etc. I also look for construction notes after one incident of frogging half a sweater because I didn't read ahead...

[darski]

I love how we can find out interesting information about each other through polls and questions like this.

[craftybutterfly]

I'm a skimmer. I'll skim through and try to visualize how the project comes together. if its not making a lot of sense, then I'll read it through carefully a couple of times before starting.

[krzykajun]

I always read a pattern first in case there's something I don't understand. If the pattern gives you a gauge swatch by working several rows of the pattern, then I just pick up some yarn and try it.

[kiwikitti]

I just look at the picture and decide if the pattern is good or not usually! But if there's no picture then I'll skim over it and see if it's all right for me.

[jessc031778]

I only read ahead for two reasons...one, if the directions actually tell me to do it...and two, if the directions don't seem to make sense in the row I'm working on to see if the problem resolves later in the pattern....

 

Jessie

[lhasaapsolady]

If I see something I like I just buy the pattern and read it as I'm working on the project. Don't think I'd have the patience to just read the pattern first as I'd only get itchy fingers to start anyway.

[Nutsaboutcrochet13]

I skim through, I'm usually too exited to read it all the way through. I'd rather read it all the way through with hook in hand!

[EmEyeAaay]

I'm usually too excited to get started to actually read through a pattern. I skim it because, well, my mom always told me to read them through and that's the best that I can do.

 

I couldn't have said it any better myself

[lindy]

I usually read it all the way through to make sure I know how to do all of the stitches. I am in the beginning stages of being able to follow a pattern.

[Shell]

I just do it. If I read through and feel there is something I can't do it would put me off trying. I am more likely to over come any probs if I am already commited to a project