Knitting ChartKnitting Graph Paper
Knitting graph paper has rectangular squares because a knitted stitch is wider than it is tall: at a DK gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows per 10 cm (4 in), one stitch is 4.5 mm wide but only 3.3 mm tall. Enter your gauge or pick a yarn weight, and print a free PDF whose squares match your knitting.
How to use knitting graph paper
Measure your gauge
Knit a swatch at least 15 cm (6 in) square in your stitch pattern, wash it the way you will wash the finished piece, and count the stitches and rows over 10 cm (4 in). No swatch yet? Pick your yarn weight for a typical gauge.
Print at actual size
In the print dialog choose “Actual size” or 100 %, not “Fit to page”, so the squares keep their shape. Check by measuring ten squares.
Draw one square per stitch
Color in squares for colorwork, or draw knitting chart symbols for purls, yarn overs and decreases. The bold lines every 10 squares make counting easy.
Knit from the bottom right
Row 1 is at the bottom and stitch 1 on the right. Knitting flat, read right-side rows from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right.
Why not ordinary graph paper?
Ordinary graph paper has square cells, but most knitted stitches are about three quarters as tall as they are wide. A circle drawn on square paper therefore knits up wider and flatter than you drew it, and lettering looks squashed. On knitting graph paper the squares have the same proportions as your stitches, so what you draw is what you get.
The proportions come from your gauge: divide the number of rows by the number of stitches. At 22 stitches and 30 rows, 30 ÷ 22 = 1.36, so each square is 1.36 times as wide as it is tall. Typical values by yarn weight:
| Yarn weight | Stitches per 4 in | Typical gauge (sts × rows) | One stitch (w × h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingering (1) | 27–32 | 28 × 36 | 3.6 × 2.8 mm |
| Sport (2) | 23–26 | 24 × 32 | 4.2 × 3.1 mm |
| DK (3) | 21–24 | 22 × 30 | 4.5 × 3.3 mm |
| Worsted / Aran (4) | 16–20 | 18 × 24 | 5.6 × 4.2 mm |
| Bulky (5) | 12–15 | 14 × 20 | 7.1 × 5.0 mm |
| Super bulky (6) | 7–11 | 9 × 12 | 11.1 × 8.3 mm |
Stitch ranges are from the Craft Yarn Council’sStandard Yarn Weight System. Row counts vary more between knitters and stitch patterns, so the rows are typical values — your own swatch always wins.
Graph paper or a chart maker?
Paper is quick for sketching an idea away from the screen. When you want colors, stitch symbols, mirroring and a clean PDF with a key and row-by-row instructions, draw the design in the free knitting chart maker: “Open as a blank chart” above starts one with the same size and gauge as this page. To start from a picture instead, use photo to knitting chart.
New to charts? How to read a knitting chart walks through flat and in-the-round charts, repeats and shaping with examples.
Questions about knitting graph paper
What is knitting graph paper?
Graph paper whose squares have the same proportions as knitted stitches — wider than they are tall — so a motif drawn on it looks the same once it is knitted. It is used to design colorwork, intarsia, lace and cable charts.
What is the difference between knitting graph paper and regular graph paper?
Regular graph paper has square cells. Knitting graph paper has rectangular cells sized from your stitch and row gauge. Designs drawn on square paper come out wider and flatter when knitted.
How do I make my own knitting graph paper?
Enter your stitch and row gauge above and download the PDF. In a spreadsheet you can do the same by making each column wider than each row is tall by your row gauge divided by your stitch gauge, for example 30 ÷ 22 = 1.36.
How do I print knitting graph paper at the right size?
Choose “Actual size” or 100 % in the print dialog and turn off “Fit to page” or “Shrink to fit”. With “Actual stitch size” selected, ten squares then measure exactly as much as ten of your stitches.
What gauge should I use if I have not knitted a swatch?
Use the gauge on the yarn label or pick your yarn weight above for a typical value. For a sweater or anything that has to fit, knit and measure a swatch first.
Can I use it for crochet or cross stitch?
Yes. Crochet stitches and cross stitches are close to square, so enter the same number for stitches and rows to get square cells.
Is this knitting graph paper free?
Yes. The PDF is free, without sign-up or watermark, and you can print as many copies as you like.