First Time Knitter!! How do I read patterns?

Hi Everyone!

I recently downloaded my dream pattern, but noticed it was for knitting rather than crocheting (what I’m used too!) I’ve crocheted a few things in the past (cardigans, bows, and coasters) but want to take my skills to knitting. The pattern reads a bit hard, so I’m hoping to get some assistance.

I’m to use circular needles and cast on 100 stitches on it where I’ll be knitting flat on the circular needle.

However, these are the next steps:

Row 1 (rs): k12, place marker, p1, place marker, knit until last 13 sts, place marker, p1, place marker, k12.
Row 2 (ws): k all sts.

And then repeat the above instructions for rows 3 and 4.

It doesn’t read like I will be using all 100 stitches? And at what point do I move from one needle to the other?

A breakdown would be extremely helpful. Thanks all!

Welcome to KH and to knitting!
Good for you for adding knitting into your arsenal of talents.
You’re going to change from one needle to the other at the end of the row. In row 1
“Row 1 (rs): k12, place marker, p1, place marker, knit until last 13 sts, place marker, p1, place marker, k12.”
where it says knit until the last 13sts, you’ll knit 74sts.

What is the name of your pattern?

Really appreciate the response! Makes total sense :woman_facepalming:

I recently downloaded this pattern:

May have bit off more than I can chew - but definitely gonna need some practice!

1 Like

You can do it! We’ll be happy to back you up anytime. Enjoy working the hood.

1 Like

Looks like “anytime” is a lot sooner than I would’ve wanted. :sweat_smile: I really appreciate your kind words once again! The pattern gives this note below related to the rows i posted above

Note: The single stitch(es) between the sets of stitch markers are worked in Reverse Stockinette with purl sties on top of purl stitches (rs) and knit stitches on top of knit stitches (ws). The hood will fold back along the line created by the stitch pattern.

Does this mean I’ll be “purling” knit for row 1 and the “p1” would be a regular knit?

And then for row 2, I would be regular knitting (i.e. taking the right needle and putting it behind the left needle)

Watching some youtube videos made me come to this conclusion - but just wanted some confirmation! :slight_smile:

For row 1 the pattern is knit across all sts except for the 2 individual purl sts that are between the markers. Row 2 the entire row is knit and then means the 2sts between the markers are knit as well. What the note is saying is the those 2sts between the markers will therefore be purl on the RS (right side), knit of the WS (wrong side) which forms a stitch pattern called reverse stockinette.

So the entire hood is knit stitch RS and WS except for those 2sts which are between the markers and which are purled on the RS.

1 Like

This helped me SO much!! Totally understood — I’ve officially started my hood and have done around 5 inches already!! Super proud of my progress so far.

I really really appreciate your help and patience as I ask so many questions. Hope you’re doing well!

3 Likes

Well done! We’d love to see a photo when you finish the hood.