Increasing and Decreasing - My first sweater!

Pattern Central
1

Hello. After knitting various hats, scarves, and A mitten, I’ve decided to try to tackle my first sweater! I chose this pattern that’s offered for free on the Lion Brand website.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70478AD.html

It seems fairly straight forward, expect the places where it tells me to increase and decrease.

Work in K1, p1 Rib until piece measures 2 1/2 in. (6.5 cm) from beg, increase 8 (10, 10, 10, 12) sts evenly spaced across last row - 88 (96, 102, 112, 120) sts.

It doesn’t specify what kind of increase to use. Should I assume its kfb of the stitch? Or does it not matter?

Same with the dec instructions

Dec 1 st each side every other row 4 (6, 6, 8, 9) times - 70 (74, 76, 80, 86) sts.

Should I assume it means to k2tog?

Thanks for your help!!

2

You can use kfb. Whenever a pattern specifies multiple increases on a row, you can use whichever you’re most comfortable doing. For the decs, since they’re paired - one on each end of a row - it’s usual to make them lean toward the center of the piece. So that would be a ssk or skp at the beginning of the row, and k2tog at the end.

3

Thank you!!!