I’m very new to knitting , I have knitted a few basic cushions so far and just started a blanket project and have got a bit stuck and wondered if anyone can advise me on what the pattern means please.
I’m knitting the blanket on the Stylecraft pattern number 9898, sweet dreams.
I’ve knitted the first 13 rows of the rib and need some help going forward.
On the DEC row (ws) could someone explain what, “Rib 2 sts, rib2tog” and “Rib 3 sts, rib2tog”, actually means?
I would be very grateful for any help so I can move forward, thank you
Good for you for working this blanket as an early project. Very nice.
Rib 2 tog is a decrease. Rib 2 or 3 sts is telling you to work the next 2 or 3sts as knits or purls depending on how the stitch on the left needle looks. If that next stitch is a V, knit it on the current row. If the stitch is a bump, purl it.
For the decrease the pattern isn’t specifying knit or purl but is having you look at the sts and decide how to work either a knit 2tog or purl 2tog. If you’re up to two knit sts on the left needle, knit the two together. If your next sts are purls, purl two together.
If the next sts are a knit and a purl, you can do either although a k2tog might be preferred. With a purl followed by a knit, a p2tog will work. But that is up to you and which you think looks best. It’s a blanket so it’ll be seen from both sides.
The purpose of the decreases is to make the transition from rib to main pattern even by decreasing the stitch number.
Hi
Thank you so much for sending such a great reply, I really appreciate it .
I’m now confused about the v or bump sp will enclose a photo of what I’ve knitted so far and perhaps you can advise me if I need to start on . Thank you so much
Your ribbing is very nice. I’ve put blue Vs on the knit sts and orange dots above the purl bumps or collars.
If you were to start the dec row at the beginning of this row you would Rib 2sts, that is purl 2. Then rib 2tog, that is k2tog the next 2sts. Then work the repeat.
The more patterns you work, the easier the interpretation gets. Some designers provide useful lists of abbreviations and techniques, and even links to videos which are helpful. But you know you can always come here for lots of helpful knitters, too. Have fun with the blanket!
Your ribbing for this blanket looks great, it’s very neat and I really like the striped colours you’ve used. Are these individual balls or a self striping yarn?
You’ll become more familiar with pattern terms the more you knit. Don’t hesitate to come and ask questions about tricky bits, this forum is so friendly and helpful, I’ve learned so much here.
This Forum is a great resource. I’ve learned a lot just by coming every day to read the questions and solutions. I might not remember the exact solution when I come to that issue in my own work, but I’ll remember that there WAS a solution and come back to find it.
I found this forum when I first started knitting too. I say it’s where I learned to knit after I’d learn to make knits and purls. Don’t spend a lot of time frustrated trying to figure things out on your own when you can ask here is my suggestion. It can save a lot of frogging (ripping out rows of work) and question are why the forum exists. Knitters seem to love helping other knitters.
Me too, visited long ago to find answers and found lot more than expected. Passion and love for knitting with encouragement and kindness found here keeps me coming back for more. It help me not only in knitting but in my soul too.
That’s so nice to hear . Thank you both so much for taking the time to reply and offering your views and support. It’s much appreciated. I’m very glad to have found such a helpful group of knitters
