Neck shaping in pattern

How-to Questions
1

Hi guys, my first post. New knitter making my first garment. Sirdar pattern 9905 (I can’t post link as this is my first post).

I’m making the left front and have got to the point where I need to shape the neck but I’m confused with the instructions. Here they are:

Shape Neck
Work 4 rows. (I’m assuming this means work 4 rows in the stocking stitch used to get this far?)
Next row. knit to last 5 sts, s1, k1,psso,k3 (neck edge).
Next row. Purl
Last two rows set neck shaping.

So, I think I can follow the above okay. It’s the next bit that I’m struggling with:

Work 8 rows dec 1st at neck edge as before in 3rd and foll 4th row.

when it says ‘as before’ what does that mean? and am I doing something in the 3rd and 4th row or the 3rd and following 4th row ie row 7?

I’ve read it a dozen times and I just can’t see what I’m supposed to be doing.

Thanks in advance

Lizzy

2

Welcome!
Yes, “work” means to continue in stockinette as you have been doing.
“as before” refers to the decrease given above: knit to last 5 sts, s1, k1,psso,k3
Do that decrease on the 3rd and fhe following 4th row (that is, 4 rows after the dec on row 3, row 7).
You’re reading it correctly. It is a little confusing but that’ll do it.

3

Thanks Salmonmac. So I’m continuing in stocking stitch except for the 3rd and 7th row in which case I do the knit to last 5 sts, s1 etc etc.

Just making sure as the next bit is more of the above but over 23 rows so need to get it right.

LL

4

This may be a link to a photo:

Yes, you can continue with the decreases on row 3 and row 7. It works out if you think of this as an 8 row pattern. That way the dec always fall on the RS or knit row. So after the dec on row 7, purl back (row 8) and start counting the next knit row as a row 1.

5

Thank you again. Just did those first eight rows of neck shaping (after learning how to s1 and psso) and it’s working out really well. I’m loving this pattern.