It all starts with the pattern. In almost every case I work with photo copies of my original. My projects go everywhere and encounter many, many destructive circumstances. Using a copy protects me from damaging my original.

When I encounter small graphs I also enlarge them for easy reading. For this project I've been enlarging 142%. I cut them out roughly so that they will more easily fit onto my magnetic board. Also, if there are multiple graphs I sometimes tape the graphs together to make one single graph, which requires more copies of the graph and tape.

Next is a step that you do NOT want to neglect, especially if you've enlarged your graphs. Check the original against your enlargement and make sure they clearly match. Sometime a photocopier will lighten out of existence important chart information. You want to catch that now, before you start your project. In this case, some of the purl blocks were lightened so that they were barely visible, so I darkened them so that the blocks would be perfectly clear.

The graph is now ready to go on my brand-new and very handy magnet board. This lovely version was a gift from the beautiful Amber, to whom I am forever indebted and comes from KnitpPicks. It is especially cool because it can be read flat, or at two different angles AND it fold up when not being used.

Magnet boards can be a helpful tool for keeping easy track of where you are in your chart. The magnets act as a kind of place marker. Some other methods for keeping track include place the graph in a plastic sleeve or laminating it, then you can use masking tape, dry erase markers, or a wax pencil to track your progress. If you've got other methods for keeping track, share with the rest of us and leave a comment telling us your favorite method!

After grabbing a notebook to write down the instructions and notes in my own words, I'm ready to begin knitting!