I’ve already posted my question under general knitting, but just realized that I probably should have put it here. I’ll give a general re-cap, but for more details look under General Knitting, Help in Understanding Instructions.
I am just slightly better than a beginning knitter. I’ve almost finished a messenger bag that is going to be felted. The last step before felting is to put trim (B) on the 2 straps (which will be tied) and on the flap that closes the bag. I already used B as my first 2 rows of the front of the bag and my first 2 rows of the flap, then switching to my main color (A). Now B is supposed to go on each side of the flap and on each side (long edges) of the straps.
From the picture B looks like it was knitted as part of each row. On the flap it looks as if each row is B for 2 stitches, then A for 64 stitches, then B for 2 stitches. On the straps it looks as if each row is B for 2 stitches, then A for 12 stitches, then B for 2 stitches.
I won’t repeat all of the instructions but they go something like this: on long edge of shorter strap pick up and k 100 stitches. P 1 row. Bind off. Repeat for opposite edge. For longer strap pick up and k 140 sts. P 1 row. Bind off. Repeat for opposite edge. For flap pick up and k 40 stitches. P 2 row. Bind off. Repeat for opposite edge.
What does it mean to “pick up and knit”? How do I do it? Why are the stitch counts so exact rather than just reading something like “until end of strap” or “length of strap”? I didn’t count the rows as I was knitting. The front of the bag is 14", the back is 28" (half of it is folding over the front to make up the flap), and the strap/gusset was 104" (shorter strap 36", longer strap 40", and the remaining 28" used as a gusset to join the front and back together).
I’m very confused! I would appreciate any help.