Please somebody help me understand what I am doing wrong. I am tearing my hair out!!! I’m on the verge of giving up knitting!
This is my pattern
I’ve completed the left front, 24 row cable panel and irish moss stitch, divide pocket and shape neck. I’m doing 3rd size.
I did these to shape raglan;
cast off 5 sts, patt to last.
Next row, patt.
1st and 2nd row to form raglan shaping.
The next bit has me spinning. Everyday I tried to knit it as I understood it but it’s a mess. I’ve tried several times and had to pull it out every time. I couldn’t face picking it up for weeks, so this is my last attempt to figure it out.
Please can someone break it down for me in lamens terms? I’ve never tried a pattern like this before.
Thank you 
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Please don’t give up knitting whatever else you may want to do!
Well, the pattern says to work 34 rows so in order to keep within that limit you could work a decrease at the raglan edge on every row. Start counting rows from “Work 34 rows dec 1 sts at raglan edge…”
Dec at the raglan edge on rows 1,2,3,4,5, and so on up to row 34. That’s 34sts decreased.
At the neck edge dec on rows 3,13,23 and 33. That’s 4sts decreased.
Total dec is 38sts which will take the stitch count from 51 to 13.
Is that what you’ve already done?
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Ok that’s reassuring because yes that’s what I’ve been doing.
However, the problem comes with 1st row…so I k2, s1, k1, psso…then patt to last st.
So I’m following on from the 24 rows right? So when I finished shaping the neck I was at 58sts and finished on row 10.
Next row for shape raglan was cast off 5 sts, that was row 11?
Next row. Patt. Row 12
Then 1st row raglan shaping would be row 13?
2nd row raglan shaping row 14?
So if I’m following on as above, when I start the 34 rows, I do 1st row raglan shaping K2, s1, k1, psso yeah?? Then patt to last…does that mean I do row 15 and if so, how?
This is row 15
(p1, k1) 7 times. Do I just start that even though I’ve dec a st? Because I now have three sts on my right needle, so perplexed as to how I pick that row up. Does that all makes any sense and thank you for you support 
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You won’t be able to work the pattern rows exactly as given. You will have to account for the decreased stitch. You can write out the pattern taking account of the decrease but the best way to do this is to look at the pattern is the previous rows. You have reverse stockinette sts, cables and diamonds. Follow those pattern sts in succeeding rows until you don’t have enough sts to complete a cable or part of the diamond.
It’ll help to keep a list of the rows and check off the decreases as you work them. You can note the pattern rows along side the decrease rows if that helps but looking at the stitch pattern you’ve already established is the ideal way to work this. Also markers between the cables and diamonds may help keep you on track.
It’s really a luscious aran pattern and it’s going to be a stunning sweater.
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Ok I fully understand now and that makes complete sense. I have been tracking my rows on a notebook so will continue as you suggest. That is fabulous professional guidance, I am very grateful to you. This is my first ever cardigan or jumper to knit, so after reading your words of how luscious it is I can see it’s probably quite ambitious haha. With your help I have been able to get this far, so I won’t give up! Thank you so very much, you are an absolute lifesaver and always inspire me to never give up. Thank you for your time and help.
Wow, first every cardigan. That’s impressive and a wonderful project. There is no stopping you!
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Ok so I’ve finally got the shape neck pattern correct and it looks brilliant. For the raglan shaping a quick query. It states:
1st row. K2, s1, k1, psso, patt to last.
2nd row. Patt to last 4 sts p2togtbl, p2
1st and 2nd rows form raglan shaping.
Then it goes on as I previously said to say work 34 rows dec 1 St at raglan edge AS BEFORE in every row AT THE SAME TIME dec 1 st at neck edge in 3rd and every foll 10th row.
So AS BEFORE meaning alternating row 1 and row 2 of raglan shaping for 34 rows?
Obviously picking up the pattern row for patt to last.
Row 1 decreases 1 st at neck edge and row 2 dec is at raglan edge if I follow that thinking. Right?
But if I’m already dec at neck edge (in row 1 raglan shaping) how do I then dec every 3rd, 7th and 10th row there too?
Yes, if you follow rows 1 and 2 you’ll be decreasing every row at the raglan edge. Call these dec at raglan edge rows 1,2,3,4,5 and so on for34 rows.
The neck edge is the end of the row 1 repeats or the end of the odd number rows. Dec at the neck edge on rows 3,13,23,33 and so on.
It helps to make a table with the row numbers and columns indicating the dec at raglan or neck edges. On the neck dec rows you’ll be decreasing at the beginning and end of the row.
Just to keep the edges clear you might put a marker at the raglan edge at least for the first 10 rows or so.
Good going, you fir getting that back neck to work!
Hmm… thank you so very much. I think I’ve gone wrong slightly in the last few rows because row 1 is beginning at neck edge. That’s why I was confused. I think I know what’s happened though. There is this instruction just before the raglan shaping:
Next Row. Patt.
Before then going on to say:
Work as follows:
1st row K2 etc
2nd row Patt to last 4 sts
Could you clarify what the Next Row. Patt. means? Because I took it to mean start the 1st row of raglan but now I think I should have done the next row in pattern first.
This is the left front that you are working?
“Next Row. Patt” means to work a WS row in the pattern that you have been working in previous rows.
Row 1 should then be a RS row. The decrease for the raglan is at the beginning of the RS row. That would be the armhole edge and not the neck edge.
Row 2 is a WS row and the raglan decrease it at the end of row.
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry for constantly pestering you. Yes it’s the left front I’m working. I’ve attached a snapshot of instructions.
So I should follow your previous answer?
I will undo raglan shaping rows and knit that next row in pattern. I’m so super grateful for your help with this project. Thank you
Hello
Just wanted to cheer you on.
This cardigan is super difficult, it’s a massive challenge for a first sweater and hats off to you for managing as well as you are (and for not being put off by frogging back and reknitting when needed). Very impressive.
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We welcome questions because we want to see you successfully complete this lovely sweater. So asking questions until it’s finished is all part of that. There’s no limit on questions!
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Thank you! I can see it was a bit too ambitious but I love this pattern so very much and with the help salmonmac has been giving me I am determined to keep at it. It’s so lovely to read your kind and encouraging words, they have also given me a boost to stay committed. Little by little eh I hope to get there. 
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Copy that, you’re a superstar! 
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One stitch at a time, it’s all any of us can do.
It’s amitious, certainly, but not too ambitious, you are indeed getting there which is proof you can do it. I think the important thing in learning any skill is having a goal you really want to acheive. Which you have.
We all love seeing progress pics too if you fancy sharing.
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I will definately share as soon as I’ve completed this left front. It’s in an emerald green not the same colour as pattern. It nerve wracking showing pics but I promise once I’ve done this left front I’ll send a photo. Because you gals have been woven into this after all 
I could not have gotten this far without you
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