Pattern confusion :(

How-to Questions
1

Hey there!

Currently knitting a baby bonnet with bear ears from knitting for olive. The pattern has a lot of confusion on the comments in ravelry due to the German short rows (I actually figured these out and rather like them).

My issue is coming from what is probably the easiest part. It mentions slipping side bonnet stitches from L to R needle, putting ears on spare yarn, then you begin knitting again by “rejoining yarn” and placing second ear on spare yarn and continue on.

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I’m just unsure how to connect what I slipped off with what I’m now knitting?

Attaching photo of where I am along with this segment of the pattern.

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2

Welcome to the forum!
Maybe this sweet bonnet:

You can cut the working yarn leaving about a 6inch tail to weave in later. Slip the given number of sts for the size you’re making from the left needle to the right. Both ears are going to go on waste yarn. Put the first ear on waste yarn, then rejoin a new end of yarn knit across to the second ear and place that ear on waste yarn.
From now on you’ll be knitting short rows back and forth across the sts just knit. You’ll be decreasing at the same time to join the initial slipped sts (20sts for the smallest size) to the main worked sts by sl1k, k1, psso. or sl1p, p1, psso.
This project shows a view of the back of the hat.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/smailknits/baby-bear-bonnet

3

Can anyone help me understand this one? When I try and begin shaping the back and sides with the German short rows, I seem to only be knitting the center and one side panel. The stitches that I slipped over from one side are never joined. Where am I going wrong :sob::see_no_evil:

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4

Yes!!! So this is what I did and realized I was working the short rows only on the center back and one side panel. I never quite understood how or when to join the slipped side panel to that……can you point out exactly where or when that happens?

5

On each short row you should be decreasing to close the gap between the side panels and the back. See the comments here which may help.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/norasroom/baby-bear-bonnet

It may be worth it to put in a lifeline at this point so that if this isn’t working it’ll be easier to rip back.

6

I was essentially knitting down further and further only within the highlighted area as the other side was slipped off

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7

Knitting to the gaps at each side then closing the gaps with decreases may be a easier way to work this (see link above to norasroom’s project). That should make sure that you work both side panels.

8

So when I slip the first set, then tie off the first ear, would I be connecting that slipped section to the back panel somehow? That’s where I’m confused….

Bc the way I did it was to rejoin yarn after the first ear and it never attaches that first slipped side panel. The next ear gets closed in because you are psso thag second ear…

9

I think * I’ve figured it out but we shall see :joy::see_no_evil:

10

OK, good. You will eventually connect the slipped section but first knit across the section between the ears. Put the second ear on hold, work the decrease then turn for the short row. When you purl across to the slipped section you’ll join it to the working sts with the decrease.

12

Thanks for your help! I’m also knitting this pattern and have a question about the short rows. I don’t understand how to count the sts.
Short-Row 2 (WS): Ds, p13, tw
Short-Row 3 (RS): Ds, k to 7 sts after ds, tw

13

Welcome to the forum!
Such a cute little hat. You’ll be able to see the double stitch which looks different from the other sts on the needle. It helps to place a marker on the needle at the double stitch as a reminder just in case you miss it.
I’m assuming that on Short-Row 3 you are knitting 7sts after the ds in Short-Row 2 rather than the ds that you just made in Short-Row 3.
What part of the hat is this?

14

I’m actually knitting Baby Bear Suit from Ravelry. I was so excited to see Baby Bear Bonnet that I didn’t realize my mistake.

The suit starts with the bonnet/hood. I’m past that and onto the body.

Body (part 1)

Work back and forth in st st until work measures approx. 16½” from shoulder, ending with a WS row

Note: You will now work more German short rows to shape the suit and create more room. Work double stitches as 1 stitch throughout (see Special Techniques). You are still working back and forth in stockinette stitch, first row is from RS

Short-Row 1 (RS): K62, pm (= center back), k8, tw

Short-Row 2 (WS): Ds, p15, tw

Short-Row 3 (RS): Ds, k to 8, sts after ds, tw

Short-Row 4 (WS): Ds, p to 8, sts after ds, tw

So, as far a counting sts, what does it mean “k to 8, sts after ds” Why not just say k 8 sts?

AND when I do Row 3, counting 8 sts after ds, Row 4 takes me back to make a ds on the ds from row 3!

I’ve checked and double checked the pattern. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

15

Oh thank you. I couldn’t figure out where the instructions fit in for the hat.

Yes, the instruction to “k to 8, sts after ds” is poorly worded. It really is asking you to “k 8 sts after ds” (no to, no comma) or knit 8sts past the ds from the previous row.

Row 3 takes you 8sts past the ds from Row 2 then turn and ds.
Row 4 will take you 8sts past the ds from row 3. You’re always knitting past the ds of the previous row, 8sts past. The short rows won’t stack on each other. As you work past the ds, treat it as one stitch.

16

THANK YOU! I never would have figured it out without you. Your instructions are very clear, and I ‘sailed’ through the remaining rows.

Sincerely,

Barbara J

2 Likes
17

Terrific! I’m so glad it worked and you’re back to knitting.

18

Hi!

I am also struggling on this pattern. I finished all the short rows and instead of having the centre piece as a V, it is a straight panel. I did the decreases but I guess I was doing them wrong.
Does anyone have an idea of what could be my mistake?

Thank you!

19

Welcome to KH!
These are the short rows to shape the bottom of the suit and leave more space for diapers and the baby’s bottom or are these decreases to shape the hood? Where are the decreases placed?
Can you quote just a row or two of the instructions for the decreases? A few rows are ok but don’t give us a large portion of the pattern due to designer copyright please.

20

Thank you!

This is for the back of the bonnet.

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I have made the short rows and the decreases but I ended up with a straight neck panel instead of the V and I don’t understand why.
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Thank you for your help

21

It seems that the decreases aren’t doing what they are supposed to do, i.e. decrease. Your stitch number should be changing as you work this shaping with decreases.
Are you passing the slipped stitch or stitches over the preceeding knit or purl stitch? Passing that stitch or stitches over and off the needle gives you the decreases.
In your case the stitch between the slip stitch and the pass is the double stitch (ds) but work that ds as a single stitch as usual then pass the slip stitch over that stitch and off the right hand needle.
Just in case you need to see, it here’s a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dmiu_BTA2U