A pattern question related to Erika Knight Natural Nursery Knits

Hi Everyone! I can really use some help explaining the following from Erika Knights Natural Nursery Knits - Dress and panties pattern. More specifically the panties section. I have completed most of the pattern, but now I am stuck on the following: with 60 stitches on the needle, it now states (Shape Back) -
Rows 1 and 2 K to last 3 sts, turn -
Rows 3 and 4 K to last 6 sts, turn,
Rows 5 and 6 K to last 9 sts, turn
Rows 7 and 8 K to last 12 sts, turn
Rows 9 and 10 K to last 15 sts, turn
Rows 11 and 12 K to 18 sts, turn
Rows 13 and 14 Knit across

Where are the last sts going? What do I do with them? It doesn’t say bind off?

Welcome to KH!

These are short rows. They are added to shape the pants.
Turn where the pattern says to turn and work back on the stitches that you just knit. You’ll leave sts unworked on the left hand needle but you’ll get to work them in rows 13 and 14

Hello

This is a series of short rows to produce a shape where the centre is higher with more rows worked and the sides kind of slope.
I would suggest two things before going ahead

  1. Put in a life line now before working this section. This makes it easier to undo the work if it goes wrong but without losing your stitches.
  2. Practise on a smaller swatch, maybe do 30 stitches and 5 or 10 rows straight and then try out a smaller version of short rows on this first.

When you turn leave the unworked stitches in your needle, pretend you reached the end of the row and turn the whole work around. Work the next row as given and again turn leaving unworked stitches on the needle. Keep following the rows which will get shorter and shorter.
Then, look at rows 13 and 14, you are to knit the entire row. Row 12 is a short row and turned so row 13 you will be starting the row a little in from the end, BUT you will work ALL the stitches right to the end. Then row 14 is ALL the stitches.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the clarity. It was such a simple instruction. I guess I over thought it. I was able to complete the bottom.

2 Likes

Ooh lovely!!

You worked that out so well. The set is perfect. They are going to look fabulous on some lucky baby!

Thank you!!