Help with Vogue Knitting Ribbed Cap

#1

I’m working on the Vogue Knitting Ribbed Cap.

I’d like to do the knot on the top, and this is my first I-cord. The directions say:

P3tog, [p2tog] twice, p3tog - 4 sts. Using 2 dpn, work I-cord as foll: *k3, slide sts to beg of needle to work sts from same position. Bring yarn around from back and rep from * until I-cord measures 6"/15cm. Bind off. Knot twice.

My question: I have 4 sts, but I’m only instructed to k3 before sliding sts to beg of needle to work sts from the same position. What about the fourth stitch?
Am I making sense?

Thanks in advance for the help.

#2

What does the next step in the directions say to do?

#3

The pattern is confusing at that point. I’ll back up a step here:

[B]Row 9 [K2tog] ten times - 10 sts.
If plain hat without top knot is desired, move to Finishing.

Next row: P3tog, [p2tog] twice, p3tog - 4 sts. Using 2 dpn, work I-cord as foll: *k3, slide sts to beg of needle to work sts from same position. Bring yarn around from back and rep from * until I-cord measures 6"/15 cm. Bind off. Knot twice.

Finishing: Do not block or flatten rib.
For plain hat, cut yarn leaving a long end for sewing back seam. Pull through rem 10 sts and draw up tightly to secure.[/B]

The pattern ends there.

#4

You have two options. You could go ahead and make the i-cord over 4 stitches. They are supposed to work okay on four stitches, but I find them nicer on 3 most of the time but if you have good luck with 4 do that. Just *k4, slide sts to beg of needle to work sts from same position. Bring yarn around from back and rep from * until I-cord measures 6"/15 cm. Bind off. Do that instead of the k3 each time.

Or do this part differently

P3tog, [p2tog] twice, p3tog - 4 sts.
It doesn’t matter much where you change it. But instead of P3tog 2 times and P2tog 2 times. P3tog 3 times and P2 tog only once. That won’t make any big difference and then you will have three and can follow the directions as given for the i-cord over 3 stitches.

#5

Thank you! I’m not a very confident knitter and I’m scared a lot of the time! I need to just learn to make modifications and not worry so much!

#6

You’re welcome. I know how hard it is to get that confidence. I used to follow patterns slavishly and did for a long, long time. The sooner you start trying things the better.