Help with Rowan Charisma pattern

Hi there!

I am a novice-knitter trying out something new and would really appreciate some guidance, please. I’ve started with the Rowan Charisma pattern (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/charisma-8). I had no issue doing the ribbing and the initial 4 row pattern (which forms the pattern). However, I am struggling to understand what exactly is required in the following:

“ Keeping patt correct, inc 1 st at each end of next and foll 12 alt rows, then on foll 40 rows, taking inc sts into patt and ending with WS facing for next row.
209 sts”

At the outset, do I immediately, in the first row, start the increase?
And then, do I increase every alternate row for the following 12 rows?
Then increase every row for the following 40 rows?

I might just add that I started with 103 stitches and no further increases were required. How do I then get to 209 stitches?

I have googled for corrections to this pattern but haven’t found anything.

Isabel,
As you start the increase, you are doing 1 increase at the end of next AND following 12 alternate rows, then on following 40 rows. So, starting with your 103 stitches+26 (2 stitches for each increase row) +80 stitches = 209 sttitches. You are starting the increases on the row following what you just completed (RS row), then the following alternate rows, so if you call the next row 1, the alternate rows would be 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25 and then the following 40 rows. Since the increases are at EACH end of the rows, you can just follow do your stitch in either knit or purl as appropriate.

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Thank you Claudia for your reply. This makes sense!

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Isabel1,
That’s what the forum is all about -it’s been a source of information and support for me (and many, many others) for the entire time I have been knitting and it is only recently that I have felt like I can participate in answering questions (as opposed to only asking for help), so your feedback is truly appreciated. We’d love to see a photo when you are finished!

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Claudia,
I am so happy to have come across this forum! I have no-one close to ask silly questions to. The forum is very informative.
I will most certainly post a pic!

Hello Claudia,
I started with the same pattern a few weeks back and have the same question. I started increasing only on the knit side, with the result that my wip jumper looks kinda huge now…I think I’m making a mistake.
Pattern says
Cast 93 sts, work in rib 20 rows
Keeping patt correct inc 1 st at each end if next and foll 7 alt rows.
HERE I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTION AND INCREASED 1ST, 5TH, 9TH AND SO ON , AS I THOUGHT I HAVE TO INCREASE ALT KNIT SIDES ONLY, SO EVERY 4TH ROW. HERE I THINK I HAVE TO INCREASE ON EVERY KNIT TOW
Then on foll 46 rows taking inc sts into patten and ending with WS 201 sts.
HERE I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTION AND INCREASED 1ST, 3RD 5TH …SO EVERY ALT ROW AS AGAIN I THOUGHT I HAVE TO INCREASE ONLY ON THE KNIT SIDE.
NOW I HAVE 201 STS AFTER THE INCREASES BUT MY KNIT LOOKS WAY BIGGER THAN THE MEASUREMENTS PROVIDED IN THE CHART. I THINK I AM SUPPOSED TO INCREASE ON EVERY ROW OF THESE 46 ROWS, INCLUDING ON THE PURL SIDES, WHICH IVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. COULD YOU PLS CONFIRM…
Thanks for your time :pray:

Welcome to the forum!
This pattern is calling for increases every other row. So if you call the next row, row 1 then the first set of increases are on rows 1,3,5,7,9,11,13 and 15.

The second set of increases if they follow the first are on every row, 16,17,18,19,20,21 and so on for 46 rows.

If the pattern wanted alternate knit rows it might have been worded as “every following alternate knit row” or something similar.

What increase are you using on the knit side?
Here’s one way to increase on the purl side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=555jLdgrADk

It’s such a pretty sweater with graceful lines that it’s worth getting this correct. Let us know about the type increase you do and we can probably match it for the purl side.

Yes, it makes absolute sense now…novice knitter here. Thank you so much for taking out the time and explaining in such details with a link to purk increases…you’re an angel :innocent:
Thanks once again

Not an easy pattern to work through especially as a newish knitter. You’re doing well and if any other questions come up, be sure to return and ask. We’ll all be happy to help.

Hey there, stuck once again while shaping neck…feeling completely clueless while reading the pattern.
After shaping shoulders I’m left with 99 sts
Patt says:Neck shaping
Next row (RS) : Cast off 6 sts, patt until there are 22 sts on right needle and turn, leaving rem sts on a holder
DOES THIS MEAN I CO 6 STS, CONT IN PATT FOR 22 STS AND LEAVE REM STS , WOULD IT BE 71 REM STS-? ( 99-6=93, 93-22=71?)
Work each side of neck separately…
DOES IT MEAN EACH SIDE WOULD HAVE 22 STS?
Dec 1 st at neck edge of next 4 rows
SO I KEEP DEC 1 ST FROM THESE 22 STS EVERY ALT ROW ON THE EDGE
At the same time cast of 6 sts at the beg of 2nd and foll alt row
COMPLETELY THROWN OFF NOW! DOES THIS MEAN I DEC 1 ST AT EVERY EDGE 4 TIMES AND AKSO DEC 6 STS 2 TIMES FROM 22? THEN I’LL BE LEFT WITH ONLY 6 STS ( 22-4=18, 18-(6+6)=6?)

Cast off the 6sts. There will be one stitch on the right hand needle. Pattern across the next 21sts (there will be 22sts on the right hand needle) and then turn as you would at the end of a row. Put the remaining 71sts on hold while you work the first side of the neck.
Eventually each shoulder will have 22sts with 43sts at the center neck.
Call the cast off row, row 1. Then decrease at the neck edge on rows 2,3,4 and 5 (that’s every row).
At the same time cast off 6sts at the armhole edge on rows 2 and 4.
Work row 5 (with its dec of one stitch at the neck edge) and then cast off the remaining 6sts at the beginning of row 6.

Your math is correct. After the decreases you’ll be left with 6sts which will be cast off on row 6.
If you run into trouble working the decreases for the second shoulder, just come back and ask. You’re doing really well so far!

Thank you so much…it helps to be reassured when you have knitted so much and are in a no return zone…my sincere thanks :pray:

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Delighted to confirm. You’re questions are all good ones.