Multiple +

#1

I want to start my self a scarf and design a new pattern. I have an old stitch guide from mon tricot. Many of the stitch patterns call for a multiple number + extra stitches. For example it may say multiple of 4 + 2. How do I cast on for this type of a pattern is it say 20 stitches + 2 (22) or 6 x 5 for a total of 30? Please help. I am a fairly skilled knitter but want to expand and design my own patterns.

#2

You mulitply the first number by however many times you want to repeat it, then add the 2nd number. So 22 is correct (or 26, 30, etc).

#3

Thanks for your help. Do I also need to allow for selvedge stitches if I want a border?

#4

Depends on the pattern. But probably not. Most patterns that say multiples of x +2, call for the first & last stitches as the knit (thus the +2) when working on the public/right side & purls on the back/wrong side & the pattern stitches for the rest.

If you list part of the pattern, I could tell you for sure.

Not to confuse you, but this because if you slip the first stitch of every row, you get a neater edge. Much easier to seam together later. Or to pick up stitches.

#5

A lot of people find that slipping the first st [I]does not[/I] make it easier to seam or pick up sts from. When you slip a stitch it spans two rows and you need to seam by going into every row and for picking up you may need to pick up in every stitch, or every 3 out of 4, so sliiping the first makes it more difficult to do this. Only slip an edge if that’s going to be exposed in the finished item.

#6

if I want a garter stitch border do I need to allow for the multiple of __ + 2 then add the border stitches to the ends? (Example: multiple of 4 + 2 and border= 20 + 2 + 5 each end for garter border).

#7

Yes, that can work. Often the +2 (or whatever) is just a plain stitch to fill out the pattern and may not work as an edge stitch.