is this normal? because I can't read charts and need that bit written out

I will write it out myself but it is a nuisance and I thought for $8 it would be included

Charts are normal for lace & cables.

but the charts aren't normally written out?

kimberlolly has spoiled me

Not on most patterns. Charts are easy to read if you take it one stitch at a time.

so everyone says

I still find that reading knit1, ssk, purl 4 is easier for me than looking at charts

I see that I will have to learn

thank you for the help!

Welcome

While its nice to have both versions, it's not uncommon for lace to be chart only. It would have been nice if the description had noted

That it is chart only but not required. I've had the opposite where I want a chart but instead found lengthy text.

I agree, they should state what you are getting before you purchase

I personally would write it out and include the charts, but I understand not everyone can do both.

I do enjoy charts though! Once I figured them out, they make it easy to see what you're doing at a glance.