Knitting a placket on a man's sweater

Hello, I am new to this forum and to knitting in general. After spending 2 hours searching the web for an answer (when I’d rather be knitting!), I’m hoping that someone can help me with my problem. The sweater is a man’s placket pullover. At the base of the placket, I have 9 “live” stitches on a holder - the directions say “at right front, pick up 9 stitches on holder.” I assume that means the “live” stitches at the base. Then to work in a 1x1 rib pattern until piece is equal to front, then slip stitches to holder.

So this lost me. If I just work my way up those 9 stitches, I get a flap that runs up the middle but doesn’t attach to the side. Am I supposed to pick up a stitch on the right side as I go along each row?

There is more to the directions about button holes and then picking up to go around the neck, but I’m not sure how much I can quote here. Are there any good, really definitive directions somewhere, anywhere on how to do this?

Thanks to one and all,
Jess

When the directions call for the button band to be knitted by itself, they usually have you sew it to the edge of the sweater later. Look ahead in the Finishing directions and see if that’s what it is.

sue

Thank you! I will give it a closer look.