Hi everyone, I’m currently knitting a cardigan but I don’t seem to understand what my pattern says could anyone help me please?(
This is what my pattern says:
At the same time as 1st shoulder dec, shape neck. Cast off 13 - center sts, then cont on 1 side at a time. On neck edge, cast off 11 sts once.
My question is: It says cast off 13 center STS, but at what point do cast off? Where do I start?
I have 55 stitches on my work right now and my pattern says to cast off on each edge 3 stitches twice and 4 stitches once.
Could anyone help? (
Welcome to the forum!
Mark the center 13sts before doing the shoulder cast off. This is just so that you are truly marking off the center sts and not shifting the center to one side or the other.
Work the first shoulder dec (this is probably the cast off of 3sts), presumably at the beginning of a row. Knit over in pattern to the marked 13sts and then knit 2 to begin the cast off. It will take you one stitch past the marker at the other end of the marked 13sts but that’s ok since you will have one stitch left over on the right hand needle after the cast off.
The directions will likely have you complete the row, turn, work the shoulder dec at the beginning of the next row (again probably the 3sts) then work across to the bound off sts at the neck edge. Turn at the neck edge and cast off 11sts.
Don’t worry about the other shoulder. There will be directions later for working that shoulder.
What is the name of your pattern and designer?
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I’d find the center stitch and temporarily mark it then count 6 stitches on each side to place the markers that locate the 13 sts in the center then proceed as above. I cheat and minimize math whenever possible. For me that’s easier than total minus number to bind off, etc.
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Good method. Ah, but do you still do the hidden math then count to determine that crucial middle stitch?
It’s the Fabiola cardigan by Phildar LoveCrafts, thank you so much. This is the first written pattern I’m following, it’s not very easy for me. But practice makes perfect.
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Smart! I’ll try it out. Thank you!
There’s no better way than to just jump into written patterns. You learn as you go and we’re here to help you out. It does get easier the more you work and the more different designers you see. Looking forward to seeing this sweater when you finish. Please do post a photo.
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I think you’re asking me. For me math is truly a four letter word so after doing as I explained I just make sure the counts are the same on both sides outside the markers. I was trying to figure out if the stitch on the needle after binding off could mess up the count then decided if it’s a problem someone else would address it and better than I can. Some things I can do but couldn’t explain and sometimes even understand to save my soles. One reason I don’t often stick with following a pattern is I get lost in the pattern and can’t find my way out. I know what I need to do to make a sweater or socks and just do it. When I wanted to knit socks the first time I almost gave up until I found toe up, knit to fit. With that I could skip the pattern and just knit socks and dispense with math almost entirely. When I learned to do faux heel flap heels I was in knitting heaven. I learned to crochet a top down sweater without a pattern and what I learned from that I could transfer to knitting. If I can come up with a count for the back neck cast on and if applicable shoulder cast on, I can knit a sweater to fit and never look at a pattern. I love using charts to add stitch patterns to the things I knit. That can get tricky for me thanks to multiples but generally I manage it. The last baby blanket I knit was tumbling blocks. I found a chart, worked a swatch, came up with a cast on and just went for it. I looked at patterns and soon wrote them off as a lost cause. I need to post a question of my own, right now, while I’m thinking about it.
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I love the colour combination in this project, it shows how much impact and individual design can be added to a ‘plain’ pattern.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/MariAndorra/fabiola
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