Hi I am very new to knitting and dont really have anyone to learn off, I am trying to knit a jacket. The pattern says Row 1: (rs) [K1, sl 1] 1 (0,1,0,1,0) times, K3 (2,3,2,3,2), *sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3, rep from * to last 2 (5,2,5,2,5)sts, sl 1, k1 [sl 1, K2] 0 (1,0,1,0,1) times.
Now i understand perfectly the K3, sl1, etc but am not sure by all the numbers in the brackets. am i right in thinking that this means I Knit 1, slip 1, knit 3, slip 1, knit 1, slip 1 knit 3, slip 1, knit 1, slip 1 knit 1, slip 1, knit 1. then what do i just keep doing that till i get to the end of the row!
im sorry to be such a novice, but im so confused any he,lp would be gratefully appreciated!
Helps translating a pattern?
The numbers in the () indicate the different sizes and how many times you do the [k1, sl1] depending on your size, then you k3 or k2 after that. It would help if we knew which size you’re doing.
hi!
is your pattern available online somewhere? Do you have a link? we could probably say a lot more.
The numbers in the brackets are already explained.
Because of the stitches to the end of the row:
sometimes patterns have “general instructions” such as: all garder stitch or all stochinette or something. Did you find any general instruction?
But your pattern does say in this row what to do.
I imagine now, you do the first (smallest) size.
then
(rs) [B][K1, sl 1] 1 /B [B]time[/B]s, [B]K3[/B] (2,3,2,3,2), [B]*sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3, rep from * to last 2[/B] (5,2,5,2,5)[B]sts[/B], [B]sl 1, k1[/B] [B][sl 1, K2] [/B][B]0[/B] (1,0,1,0,1) [B]times.[/B]
reads for you as follows (I marked the relevant parts):
the first instruction is
k1, sl1 (you do this one time)
then you k3 (no number of repetition given, so just once)
then you
sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3 - and you repeat this section (enclosed by the * and the other *) to the last 2 stitches of the row. so you do this, until there are 2 stitches left on the needle.
it says now (this is where I was confused before because I stumbled on too quickly (I had overread this part entirely)):
sl 1, k1
now there are no stitches left to work.
and this is good. because the next part:
[sl 1, K2] [/B][B]0[/B] (1,0,1,0,1) [B]times.[/B]
means that you do this instruction zero times, so not at all, since you make the smallest size.
this row is done, continue with your next row and make that thing happen!
In patterns with multiple sizes it may be helpful if you take a colored highlighter pen and mark all the numbers for your size like I did above.
and, by the way: We all were beginners at some point. I was 4 years old and had hardly anybody to ask. there also was no internet. I had books at some point later and that helped, some. But it did. So asking means learning and became easier, too. Enjoy and learn. Have fun!
Hyperactive, you said,
now I am a slight bit confused because it says you should sl1, k1 for 0 times… it should be 1 time… then your stitches are used up
It did have the s1, k1 for the last 2 stitches
rep from * to last 2 (5,2,5,2,5)sts, sl 1, k1 [sl 1, K2] 0 (1,0,1,0,1) times.
For the smallest size work to the last 2 then it has the parenthesis for the other sizes, then it says, sl1, k1, then goes on to [I]another[/I] s1, K2 in brackets with a 0 for the smallest size because it already had you do its two stitches. See it now?
ah! see, I missed the first two k1/s1 in my brain.
So: just ignore my confusion and knit away 
Thank you all for your answers it helps a lot I am the smaller size I thought that might have been it but couldnt understand the 0’s so thank you for explaining that. I will give it a go, Im sure I will be in touch again though!
it just takes practice - and you don’t learn so much if you don’t ask.
Some people have been doing the same thing wrong forever…
so: you are welcome
When a pattern has 0 stitches or 0 times for your size then you just skip the instructions in that part and go on to the next instructions.
I just edited my instruction above, so no one gets confused anymore. I hope, it helps!