How to check length of 'work'

How-to Questions
1

Hi

I am following a pattern that includes the following instructions

[COLOR=“Black”]Directions[/COLOR]: Sweater is worked in one piece. Using #5 needles, cast on 50 (56:62) stitches. Work 5 rows in garter stitch, every row knit (or follow 8 row slip-stitch pattern). Change to #6 needles and continue in garter stitch until work measures 6”(6 ½: 7)

http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~bwmm89/GarterSt.html

I am making this as a gift and just want to check I have it right. Should I knit until the piece measures 6" from the very beginning OR from where I started knitting in Garter stitch after completing the 8 row slip-stitch pattern?

Many thanks for your help

irishmam

2

Measure the whole piece, that’s ‘measure your [I]work[/I]’ - it’s the full length of the piece you’ve ‘worked’ on.

3

thanks - I thought that, but wanted to be totally sure

4

When you measure do you start at the bottom edge of the needle or from the top of it?

5

Bottom of the needle.