Somewhat of a newbie knitter here, in need of help with lace pattern.
The basic 4 rows pattern is ( from Charisma by Rowan):
Row 1 (RS): K3, *yfwd, K2tog, K3, rep from * to end.
Row 2: *P4, K1, rep from * to last 3 sts, P3.
Row 3: K3, *K2tog, yfwd, K3, rep from * to end.
Row 4: P3, *K1, P4, rep from * to end.
What I’m failing to understand is how does the pattern align across the rows. While in the RS each pattern takes 6 stitches (yfwd=1, K2tog=2, K3=3), in the WS each pattern takes only 5 (P4=4, K1=1). I feel like I’m missing something very basic here…
In this instance yfwd is deceiving without an explanation.
yfwd = After you K3, bringing the yarn to the front makes you place the yarn over the needle for the K2tog creating a loop that is worked as a stitch on the next row and makes a “lace hole”.
Just to make sure I understand: the yarn over the needle increase should be followed by the K2tog immediately, resulting in 2 stitches overall (yfwd=>1, K2tog=>1, and not yfwd=>2, K2tog=>1)?
Yes BUT in this pattern the knit yfwd (yarn over) is being worked from the front then over the needle to the back.
It is more common for a knit yarn over to be worked from the back then over the needle to the front.
If you are still not sure work an 8st sample over the 4 rows and you will see the “lace holes” will not be in a straight line they will zig zag with a stockinette strip between the lace.
Glad to help, if you are making the sweater it is pretty and so is the scarf pattern I found. To answer your question, 60 years of knitting experience, 25 years of figuring out UK versus USA pattern abbreviations and lots of mistakes. Plus I like trying out new stitch patterns. Enjoy.
