Help with hat instructions?

#1

I learned how to knit about a month ago and I’ve got most of the basics (knit, purl, cast on and off) down. I finished a scarf and now I want to try a hat. But I don’t really understand the part of the instructions where you start to shape the top. I was wondering if anyone could translate this into English for me?

Row 1: (right side) knit 7, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat from * to * across row – 88 stitches remain. [out of 99 stitches total]
Row 2: (and all wrong side rows) purl.
Row 3: knit 6, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat from * to * across row – 77 stitches remain.
Row 5: knit 5, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat from * to * across row – 66 stitches remain.

Continue in this manner, working 1 less stitch between decreases until 22 stitches remain. On next right-side row knit 2 stitches together across row – 11 stitches remain. Purl one row.

#2

Hello,

I’ve knit my share of hats… those instructions are basically for the decreasing at the crown area…so, row 1, you will knit 7 stitches, then k2TOG (the decrease) and keep doing that across the entire row. So, if row 1 is considered your right side, every odd row, you will do the decreasing. Every even row beginning with row 2 will be the row that you purl straight across. Row 3, you will knit 6, then K2TOG (the decrease) and keep doing that across the row… Row 4 purl straight across. Row 5, knit 5, then K2TOG (the decrease) and keep doing that across the entire row…

Notice how with every odd row, you start with 7, then 6, then 5, … So after each odd row, you will be decreasing by 11 stitches… That’s why when you count each row (which I recommend you do), you’ll start with 88 stitches total, then you’ll have 77 after Row 3 is completed, then you’ll have 66 stitches after Row 5 is completed… Does that make sense? So, Row 6 will be all purl across the row, Row 7 will be knit 4, K2TOG across the row - 55 stitches, Row 8 will be purl, Row 9 will be knit 3, K2TOG across the row - 44 stitches, Row 10 will be purl, Row 11 will be knit 2, K2TOG across the row - 33 stitches remaining, Row 12 will be purl, Row 13 will be knit 1, K2TOG across the row - 22 stitches remaining. Then, make sure you are on the right side, Row 14 will consist of K2TOG all across the row - 11 stitches remaining. Purl your last row.

Hope this helps!!

#3

Thank you for explaining the instructions for me. It makes a lot more sense now.