Pattern Help, Cast on during work

How-to Questions
1

I am following a pattern for a baby sweater and have a question regarding casting on during work. Right now, I have all my stitches on my left needle and the pattern says the following:

Cast on 36 stitches at beginning of next row.
Knit to end.
Cast on 36 stitches at beginning of next row.
Knit to end.
Continue in garter stitch until work measures
3 1/2 inches from sleeve cast on edge.
Next row: Knit 41 sts, rib 40 sts, knit 41 sts.
Repeat this row.

How do I cast on during work? Also, when it says knit to end, does that mean to knit the 36 newly casted on stitches plus the 50 stitches that I have already knitted? And to continue in garter stitch, means the entire work, which would total 86 stitches at this point, right? How can I k41, then p40, then, k41 when I only have a total of 86 stitches, after the 36 cast on?

Any help understanding this pattern would be greatly appreciate. It is my first attempt at a baby sweater and originally reading this pattern, I felt that I had the skill level to complete but now am in the middle and am unsure. Also, if there are any helpful pictures or videos available, they would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

2

There are a few options. If you keep your needle in your right hand (ie. before turning you work to start the next row) you can cast on 36 stitches using backward loop. Or, at the start of your row, holding the needle in your left hand, you can use the knit-on cast on or the cable cast on. Videos for all of these can be found here.

Also, when it says ‘knit to end’ that means to knit every stitch that is currently on your left needle, so yes that would include the newly cast on stitches.

The last part of your question…you will actually have 122 stitches on your needle because you are casting on an addition 36 stitches TWO times. You will then have the right number of stitches (after working those 3.5" from sleeve cast on edge) to knit 41, rib 40, knit 41.