Help with Shoulder Shaping Sweater

Hi folks. Having some trouble with instructions. Shaping the shoulder for a sweater and these are the instructions. “P to last 6 sts, turn. K back. P to last 12 sts, turn. K back.” Thought it was knitting backwards but then why turn first? Or does it mean knit the back of the stitch? Thoroughly confused. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

Welcome to the forum!
What is the name of your pattern?
These are a kind of short rows where you purl to the last 6sts then turn your knitting to the knit side and knit to the end of the row. Now turn and purl to the last 12sts, turn as you would at the end of the row and knit back. You’ll be adding extra rows toward one edge of the knitting rather than the other.

This video may be more than you want to know about short rows but the beginning shows you the idea of turning before the end of the row to work back. It’s not exactly your pattern since it’s all knit rows but the idea is similar.

It’s actually an old WWII pattern that people at home would knit for sailors overseas. It just a 2x2 rib for the bottom, cuffs and turtleneck with stockinette the rest of the way. I think you’ve nailed it though. The pattern doesn’t specifically mention any increases for the back of the neck and this might be how it’s done. Thanks for the help and video, I’ll check it out.

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Yep, that was a big help thanks. Next newbie question. The pattern says the measurement between the bottom ribbing and the bottom of the arm hole should be 15 inches. Back side is finished and I’m working on the front now. I counted the rows between the bottom of the ribbing and the bottom of the armhole on the back. I now have an equal number of rows on the front piece but It’s about an inch shorter than the back. It looks like my gauge has gotten a little smaller with tighter stitches. Should I just stop here and start the decreases for the arm hole since the rows are equal and hope that blocking evens out the sides or continue for the remaining inch or so before starting the decreases?

That’s a very good question. I would continue until the back and front to the armholes measures the same. I measure on a glass table top or a wooden floor, some slippery surface that doesn’t grab or distort the knitting.
You’re really doing very well with this pattern which is vintage so not so easy to follow and not a beginner pattern.

Thanks Mac!

I have done this too when I started knitting. It is not often I would say anything to contradict salmonmac’s superb advice and guidance, but in this case I will say I stopped at the correct row number (and checked my row count twice) and when I seamed the piece up I matched row to row with mattress stitch and it came together brilliantly, there was no issue with either front or back being the wrong length.
I have noticed depending on the yarn I use a larger piece can stretch a bit under its own weight and I think this could be part of the issue with measuring out differently too.