Hi! So I just started knitting a few weeks ago and saw these adorable Mary Jane baby booties I wanted to knit for a friend. I got all the way to the 20th row/step and now I am sooo confused! I do not understand what to do after I put the nine stitches onto the holder (11 for me because I somehow ended up with extra stitches!!!) They have two sets of instructions for the same rows 21-23! I posted the instructions below. I get lost after row 20. Could someone please help me decipher these instructions so I know what to Do!?? Thank you!!!
Row 20: Knit 9, beginning with next 2 stitches bind off 21 stitches, knit across remaining 9 stitches. (This includes 1 stitch already on right needle after the bind-off.)
Put first set of 9 stitches on holder.
Rows 21-23:Knit 9 stitches on needle.
Bind off all 9 stitches; cut yarn.
Rejoin yarn where you started binding off 21 stitches. Cast on 12 stitches using cable cast-on method.
Row 21: Knit across 12 new stitches and 9 from holder. (21 stitches total)
Row 22 (buttonhole row): Knit 18, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 1. (21 stitches on needle)
Row 23: Knit.
You have 9 sts on both sides of the 21 bound off sts, then will work 3 rows on both sets of stitches, but doing them differently. So k9, BO 21 sts and k9. Then turn and work just 9 sts for 3 rows and bind them off. Taking the cut end of yarn CO 12 sts and knit them and the first 9 sts. Turn and make the buttonhole (k18, k2tog, YO, k1). Turn again and knit all sts, then BO.
Thanks so much! I’m such a newbie that I want to get it jut right b/c I have not yet mastered fixing errors and things! So, I know I have 9 stiches on both sides of the 21 BO stitches. My next step is to knit 3 rows consisting of 9 stitches onto each side of the 21 BO stiches? When do I turn and knit the other way? Is it after I finish the previous step? where do I knit the k9, BO21 sts, and k9? or have I already done that? Sorry for all the questions! I guess I need the directions in lamens terms x5! Thank you to all!
The 21 sts are bound off, so you don’t knit them anymore. Just do it in steps and it’s easier to actually DO it than think about it. The steps are -
K 9 sts put them on hold for now.
BO the next 21 and you don’t do anything with them again.
K9 sts. Now you’re at the end of the row, turn and knit the 9 sts again; turn and knit them again, turn and knit the last row, turn and BO. You’re done with these sts so you can cut the yarn.
Go back to the first 9 sts, cast on 12 and knit the 9 sts so you have 21 there, then do a buttonhole row, knit one more row and bind off.