Pattern Charts...oh my

I like to think of myself as a simple knitter.  My projects aren't flashy and require an average amount of skill. That said, I've decided to take my knitting to the next level.  This level includes pattern charts, something that have always scared the pants off me.  I used to think "How will I keep it all straight?  Those charts are way to intricate and complicated for me to wrap my head around."

You may ask what prompted me to take my knitting to the next level?  In short, showing off for my family and talking a big game about my knitting skills.  The next person on my sock list was my step-mom Julie and stupidly I let her pick out her own pattern, something I never do because it leads to people choosing ridiculously difficult patterns.  So, the lovely Julie picked these...Polly Jean by MJ Kim.  I panicked and said "no problem" before I even looked at the pattern.  A rookie mistake.  Later, hands shaking, I looked up the pattern to see what I'd gotten myself into and what did I see?  A pattern chart.  Gasp.  I skimmed the symbols and saw twists and lace techniques.  Gulp.  Then I realized this was an opportunity, albeit a terrifying opportunity, to move to the next stage in my knitting abilities.

So I jumped in.  And here's the result five days after starting:

Yes that's my hand inside the sock.  I'm attempting to simulate a leg so the pattern can be seen.  They're pretty leaves that cascade down the leg and onto the foot.  I'm pleased with the pattern and even more pleased with myself.  It was slow going at the beginning.  It felt like I was deciphering hyroglifics at first, but as I got more familiar with the pattern, I got more comfortable and understood what the chart was trying to tell me.  Not bad.  Looks like Julie will get socks after all.