Beginner Knitter- Sweater Vest Question

Hello all!

I am a beginner knitter starting on my very first sweater pattern. It is here: http://www.berroco.com/patterns/peter-easy

My question is here in this line: " Change to larger needles and p the next row, dec 20(20-22-22-24) sts evenly spaced across – 82(90-100-108-118) sts. Work even in St st until piece measures 17” from beg, end on WS.".

I understand the part about switching to larger needles, but what do they mean when they say “dec 20”? Decrease 20 stitches? How do I do that? Also what does it mean to “work even in st st”?

I am also confused as to how this is all going to work. As I said, I am a beginner and this is really my first time knitting an article of clothing. Will I start knitting the back and then sort of work my way to the front? Will it all come together in the end or will I end up sewing knit pieces together?

Thank you for all your help!

Yes, decrease 20 sts across the row. You can knit 2 together approximately evenly spaced. The decreases don’t have to be [I]exactly[/I] spaced just distributed across the row and not clumped in one or two places ( knit 3, k2tog will just about do it). Work even in st st means to alternate a knit row with a purl row (stockinette stitch) without any increases or decreases.

I am also confused as to how this is all going to work. As I said, I am a beginner and this is really my first time knitting an article of clothing. Will I start knitting the back and then sort of work my way to the front? Will it all come together in the end or will I end up sewing knit pieces together?

Yes, you’ll seam the front and back pieces together at the shoulders and at the sides. If you look ahead in the pattern you’ll see it tells you when to do the seams. Enjoy! It’s a nice looking vest.

It looks like you decrease the 20 sts on the purl row, so you would p2tog, rather than k2tog. 'Evenly spaced means they’re not all bunched up at the beginning, end or middle of the row, but spread out all along it.