? about "At the same time"

#1

Hi All,

I originally posted this in “Pattern Central”, but thought I should try it here to see if anyone could make sense of this for me.

I’m making this sweater: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTthermal.html

I’m reading through the instructions and have a question that I know someone can help me with. It’s with regard to shaping the armholes and where it says “AT THE SAME TIME”. I’m confused as to how many rows I’ll be working in this section of the pattern and how the “AT THE SAME TIME” relates to that. FYI - the pattern itself is worked over 4 stitches and 4 rows.

How many total rows will be worked?
How many decrease rows will be worked?
When it says “Repeat these 4 rows” X amount of times, what 4 rows is she talking about, exactly?

Thanks in advance. Here’s the section I’m inquiring about. I’ve edited it to reflect the size I’m making to make this easier. Starting out with 32 stitches at this part.

Shape Armhole
Next Row [RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.
Work 1 row in patt.
Repeat these 2 rows 6 times more.
AT THE SAME TIME, shape neckline as follows:
Work 4 rows in patt.
Next Row [RS]: Work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Work 3 rows in patt.

Repeat these 4 rows 2 times more.

22 sts remain.

Work in patt until armhole measures 8.25 inches from initial BO, ending with a RS row.

#2

What I get out of it is that you begin the armhole shaping and continue it for 4 rows before you begin the neckline shaping. Then you keep them both going after that, the armhole decreasing every other row for a total of 7 times. The neckline decreases every 4th row only 3 times.

By my calculations that would be a total of 16 rows in that section because you do 4 rows before you begin the neck shaping then dec and do 3 rows even, and repeat that 2 times. So 4+(1+3)+ (1+3)+ (1+3)= 16. The armhole will be finished with its decreases after 14 rows because it is dec, work a row even, repeat that 6 times for a total of 7 times=14 rows.

When it says “Repeat these 4 rows” X amount of times, what 4 rows is she talking about, exactly?

She is talking about these 4 rows:

Next Row [RS]: Work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Work 3 rows in patt.

Those are the 4 rows that make up the decrease sequence for the neckline.

#3

When you’re done reading my post, you’ll understand why patterns use the shorthand directions they do. I hope my attempt to write it all out makes sense to you.

[B]When it says “Repeat these 4 rows” X amount of times, what 4 rows is she talking about, exactly?
[/B]
This instruction is referring to the rows described immediately beforehand.
[I]ARMHOLE:
Next Row [RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.
Work 1 row in patt.
Repeat these 2 rows 6 times more.[/I]
You will be shaping the armhole ([RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.) over 14 rows - on the 1st row and every odd row for a total of 7 times (rows 1,3,5,7,9,11,13).

While shaping the armhole along one edge of your work, you also shape the opposite edge (neckline) over 16 rows, starting when you’re on row 5 of your armhole shaping, then 2 times more every 4th row.
[I]
Work 4 rows in patt.
Next Row [RS]: Work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Work 3 rows in patt.
Repeat these 4 rows 2 times more.[/I]

So your shaping is worked over 16 rows in total, like this:
Rows 1,3,5,7,9,11 & 13 start with [U]K2, ssk,[/U]…
Rows 5,9 & 13 start with [U]K2, ssk,[/U], but end with [U]work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2[/U].

row1-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.
row2-work in pattern.
row3-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.
row4-work in pattern.
row5-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
row6-work in pattern.
row7-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.
row8-work in pattern.
row9-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
row10-work in pattern.
row11-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to end.
row12-work in pattern.
row13-[RS]: K2, ssk, work in patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
row14-work in pattern.
row15-work in pattern.
row16-work in pattern.

#4

Holy Moley!!! You guys are AWESOME!!! Thank you so much! My mind knew what had to be done I just couldn’t make sense of the instructions. You know, when it’s right on the tip of your brain but you can’t make it come out? Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope to be able to return the favor some day. :woot: