Advice on creating knitting chart?

[ichbineinstasumer]

Hello, I have recently been trying to improve my rather basic knitting skills and chose a pattern for a sweater that looked quite easy, it has a little checkered pattern all over just created by knit and purl stitches.
But now I have got to the raglan shaping for arms and see I have bitten off more than I can chew as the directions are just to 'maintain the pattern'. I don't have a good enough understanding of the pattern to just do this by looking and I think I need to make a chart to show me where I am with the pattern while I decrease.
I wondered if any more experienced knitters could tell me if I really do need a chart and if anyone has a recommendation for software I could use. I tried making one by hand and made myself cross eyed after filling in a couple of rows!

I’m guessing the pattern currently has the stitch pattern written out line by line, rather than displayed in a graph?

You might find it helpful to learn how to ‘read’ your knitting on the needles, as that can help identify when a stitch should be knit or purl - one helpful article here: www.stitchandstory.com/blogs/knitting-tips/4-steps-to-learning-how-to-read-your-knitting

Another non-chart option if you’re ok with counting rows is an app like knitCompanion - the paid version of this has the option of linked row counters, so it can track your stitch pattern rows and sleeve decreases at the same time.

Finally a suggestion for a low tech charting method - standard squared graph paper, on the Right Side rows use a blank square for knit and a dot for purl. Read from right to left. On Wrong side rows, reverse it - dot means knit, blank means purl, read from left to right. If you’re knitting in the round, every row is a right side row, read from right to left.

What’s the stitch pattern - is it basic moss stitch or are there blocks of knit and purl stitches?

I’m assuming it’s worked in the round rather than flat?

I think this is a really good opportunity to learn to read your knitting - it’s such a useful skill, and totally doable without a chart. Happy to explain if you share a pic of the garment or a link to the pattern - once you’ve figured this out, it will all become easier :)

there might be a video on here that might help you

Thank for the replies so far, I think the idea of learning to read my knitting sound like a skill I should try to develop. The current pattern is on straight needles, and is written out line by line. It's bascally units of 6 stitches which change over 6 rows. I will try to post a picture later.

Not sure if this will work but I hope I have attached two photos here.

I think you are making it more difficult in your mind then it need be
Can you show us the pattern?

I agree - once you understand what you’re doing it will be really simple.

I know a lot of patterns just write “maintain pattern” rather than spelling it out, which is frustrating early on but makes sense once you understand.

So the first thing you need to do is understand how the diamond shape is constructed which is easy - each row, the purl stitch (on the right side, knit stitch on the wrong side) on each diamond moves by one stitch so you can tell from the previous rows whether you need to move the purl stitches out one (as the diamonds gets wider) or in one (as the diamonds get narrower). You want to maintain that purl stitch pattern as you go.

As you’re knitting flat, I assume the decreases are at the edge or close to the edge of the piece you’re knitting (or are you knitting a top down jumper so it’s increases you’re doing)? If so, try not to worry too much, just work to keep the pattern going as best you can at the edges.

You can do it :)

Not sure if the pattern is legible, the light isn't great.
Thanks so much for the comments and encouragement. I've also looked at some of the materials pointed to and worked out that I don't need to pattern to the very edges. I'm just wishing i'd chosen an easier colour wool to show the pattern, the mottled grey isn't so clear! I don't want to have to go back to knitting exclusively stocking stitch, garter stitch and rib patterns, it gets a bit dull.

Head on over to Ravelry.com for knitting advice and a huge pattern database which I'm pretty sure you can filter by chart or written so for future patterns if you prefer charts you can find plenty of options.

well, I've worked out what I am supposed to be doing and have managed to keep the pattern going - it's mostly right I think and that mottled grey is also useful for hiding any minor imperfections. Thanks everyone for your very useful tips, tomorrow I will tackle the neck!