How to read japanese knitting schemas

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A guide to learn how to read japanese knitting schemas

The japanese knitting schemas are seductive, but even if we find them in manuals or on the internet, they are rarely translated. To be able to use them therefore, here are some schemas.

The japanese model instructions are presented as schemas and are rarely texts with abreviations – usefull for making the model without having to be able to read japanese ! Another piece of good news is that these schemas are all within (JPS (Japan Industrial Standard) norms so don’t vary from one model to the next.

Let’s now discover two types of schemas : detailed and simplified.

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Two types of japanese knitting schema: detailed and simplified

You can find Japanese knitting schemas in one of two forms : Detailed or simplified.

The detailed japanese knitting schema

The detailed schema is the base graphic that describes all the stitches.
It’s a grid wherein every cell corresponds to a stitch.
The different type of stitches are represented by symbols (circles, squares, horizontal or vertical lines, crosses…).
A key next to the schema shows which symbol corresponds to which point.

Here, 8, 3cm (1 1/4inches) high rows and 10, 5cm (2 inches) wide columns.

To avoid confusion, the majority symbol in a schema is often not present.
This allows for easier access to the other symbols.
A key can always be found in support of a schema.
If the unmarked symbol is not described in the instructions, it signifies “forward stitch” (but can also be a correction).

If the stitch isn’t to JIS norms (like the nupp or fly stitch), the corresponding cell is highlighted and the instructions are shown next to the schema.

Nupp stitch example

The simplified japanese knitting schema

The simplified schema is derived from the detailed one and only represents the contour of the knitted piece.

8 rows of 10 stitches are shown here, with Jersey stitching.

Assembly and terminology of japanese knitting schemas

When a schema represents the ensemble of a piece, the lines of the bottom cells correspond to an assembly row.
Depending on the method used to assemble the bottom rows (borders), the schema shows them on 2 lines of cells or more. The total number of lines therefore includes the border row.
The following schema has 8 lines for the border: the bottom line for the assembly row and the 7 above for the forward and backwards rows.

作リ目 signifies "to commence"

伏せ目 signifies "to finish by taking out the needle "

To finish the piece, the row that allows the needle to be removed is not represented on the schemas. This can therefore result in confusion: Must we finish the piece or leave the stitches on the needle? You must, in this case, refer to the written explanations.