Crochet chart / knitting chart: Difficult to learn?

Dear users, dear authors,
how difficult is it to learn to read a crochet chart / knitting chart?

It’s hard to say exactly. Since I crochet a lot, I’m naturally familiar with crochet charts. Of course, you need to know which symbol represents which stitch.
I like working from crochet charts and find it easier than reading through all the text; the text can be confusing because it’s not very clear.

For example, DROPS patterns use completely different symbols, which sometimes causes me problems, so I rewrite them using the symbols I’m familiar with—that works better for me.

With knitting patterns, I’d have to get back into the swing of things—there’s a symbol for each specific stitch there, too. If you don’t use it often, you have to keep looking it up until it “clicks,” and you have to know how to knit each individual stitch.

I rarely use a crochet chart because I haven’t yet found a way to find symbols for “special stitches.”

For knitting charts, I use my own symbols.

But most of the time, I write patterns entirely in text.
To keep things clear, I usually number the rows or rounds.

It took me a while to learn to read crochet charts. At first, I was very overwhelmed and didn’t really know where to start, and I kept getting confused. Then, here on CP, I found the crochet pattern for an autumn leaf (I think it was from Herbys-Trendartikel) that included the crochet chart as well as detailed step-by-step instructions. That’s when it clicked for me! Since then, I’ve had no trouble with crochet charts ;)

Yes, I felt the same way. Herbstblatt made it easy for me because the rows are also included there. That made it easy to compare.

Generally, I prefer working in rows, but for complicated patterns, having an additional crochet chart is very helpful.

When knitting, I also prefer to work in rows. However, some patterns are best explained using a knitting chart. I invent my own, but it is very easy to understand.