Leksak tunic

I have a question about pattern directions, specifically the section about garter front section. It says after completing garter border on bottom, bind off but do not cut yarn, turn 90 degrees and pick up stitches along right front, apx 3 stitches for every four rows but never says the exact number to pick up, at least not that I can see. Does it not matter.

Picking up at a ratio of 3 picked up for every 4 rows of stockinette is a pretty safe way to work a border. If the garment is knit in garter, picking up 2sts for every 3 rows works well. I usually go by those ratios rather than the number of sts given in the pattern anyway.
What is the name of your pattern and the name of the designer?

The pattern is Leksak tunic from Yarn Madness by Madeleine Nilsson. I got it off Ravelry. The body of tunic sweater is stockinette only the bottom border and the area right and left front that I’m starting now is garter stitch. I guess I was surprised that total number of stitches to pick up was not given , just the ratio. I guess because so many size choices for the length

It is unusual not to give a number but possibly the different sizes are the reason as you posted. Maybe not all sizes were test knit.

So should I pick up 3 stitches and then skip one and repeat to neck or should I vary it, like pick up 3 skip one, pick up 2 skip one etc

Pick up 3, skip one and then repeat. That usually works well for a band that doesn’t ripple and isn’t too tight either.

So I’ve bound off the bottom border and since not supposed to cut yarn, I will be left with on stitch on right needle. I then turned 90 degrees and picked up stitches to neckline then I am to cast on 26 using backwards loop cast on, then pick up same number of stitches down left. So I am assuming I actually pick up one more since I started with one stitch on my needle. Is this correct

Yes, that sounds right. You’ll have 27sts on each side.
Which size are you making?

Actually I picked up 102 stitches plus the unit one left on needle after binding off so 103. This used formula for picking up 3 stitches for every four. Then I cast on 26 which will work start the triangle shape that will connect rt and left side. The size is size 8 (next to largest size).

Sounds good. I often don’t pick up the number of sts recommended. Just as long as the stitches fit a multiple for a pattern stitch or more commonly, rib stitch (e.g. 2x2 rib or 1x1 rib).

Well that’s probably my biggest obstacle. I tend to follow instructions to the letter. I would probably fair better if I was a little less structured but doubt that will happen since I’ve been this way all my life. So I will persevere on, despite this pattern not being as structured as others I’ve used. But since I love the look I will work with it.

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It is adorable. It’s come up more than once in searches on Ravelry and I’ve saved it.

Even though I’ve grumbled about lack of detailed directions, now that it’s basically done except the sleeves that I’m working on now, I am going to love not having anything to seam. Just to weave in ends. And the front piece actually turned out easy and is so unique. I need to learn not to get ahead of myself in reading and it actually makes sense as I knit it. Can’t wait until I finish sleeves. Actually first time I’ve done sleeves with magic loop and is super simple. Might be playing yarn chicken. It shows 3/4 sleeves and I’d like to make to wrist. So I think I’ll go to 3/4 length and put on waste yarn and start other sleeve so I can make my decision

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I’m so glad this is turning out well. Yes, waste yarn until you’ve worked the other sleeve is a good idea. I also weigh the yarn and the partial sleeve to see if I can get an idea of how much yarn I’ll need.
If you listen to the Knit Ink podcast, one of the knitters has just finished this pattern and it is darling.

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I hope we are going to get a photo, I’d love to see this, it’s such a lovely design and unusual.
I’m so glad it is going well.

With the weighing of yarn. If you you weigh your ball attached to the work, then work say 10 or 20 rows or 2 inches or whatever you choose, then weigh the ball again, you’ll get an idea of how many rows or inches you can get out of the rest of the yarn.
I haven’t actually weighed yarn but I used a similar (more complicated) method to work out how much yarn I would need for a full sweater based on how much knitting I got out of one full ball.

Oh that was fun seeing someone else that was or had knitted something I was working on. I looked up the podcast and watched the section about the tunic. Thanks