Novice needs help w/ men's v-neck vest

#1

I’m a self-taught novice trying to knit a v-neck vest. I’m completely stumped by the instructions. I’m sure I’m misunderstanding something obvious.

The instructions: Commencing with 2nd row of 1x1 rib proceed as follows:

1st row: rib to center 3 stitches, insert needle purlways through back of 2nd st then 1st st and slip both sts off needle together, purl next st then pass 2 slipped sts tog over purl st, rib to end.

2nd row: rib to center 3 sts, insert needle knitways into second st then 1st st and slip both sts off needle tog, knit next st then pass 2 slipped sts tog over knit st. rib to end…

When I try this, I don’t get a nice, obvious knit stitch up the front. It’s a mangled mess. At this point, I don’t even think I know what they’re talking about when they say 1st and 2nd st.

Please help. I’ve knit and ripped this neck 6 times already. Thanks for your time!!

#2

It is a twisted rib with a psso, so it’s not going to look like a regular knit stitch. You’re picking up the two stitches out of order, knitting the next stitch and passing those two slipped stitches over the one you just knit and off the needle.

The first stitch is the one closest to the point of the left needle, the second is the second from the point. So slip the second stitch in the direction they say, then the first, without doing anything else to them. Knit the next stitch. Put your left point under the loops of the two slipped stitches and lift them up and over the end of the needle as if you are binding off.

If this is what you’ve been doing, then maybe it just doesn’t look the way you think it should. :thinking: