Question about increases--help a newbie out!

#1

okay, i am doing the front left side of a cardigan and have some issues with the directions. I currently have 39 sts. on my needle, which is listed as the correct amount. The directions rd. “rows 3-14 form cable and ladder pattern and start side seam shaping. Cont. in pattern, inc 1 st. at beginning of 7th and every following 10th row until there are 43 sts” Okay, fine, but there are increases in rows 3-14 already! I will list these instructions so whoever responds will get what i am saying:
row 3: k6, p2tog, yo twice, p2tog, k10, p2tog, yotwice, p2tog, k to end
4: P14, k2, p1, k1, p10, k2, p1, k1, p to end
5: K6, p2tog, yo twice, p2tog, c10f, p2tog, yo twice, p2tog, k to end
6: same as 4
7: same as 3
8: same as 4
9: same as 3
10: same as 4
11(inc): k3, m1, k3, p2tog, yo twice, p2tog, k10, p2tog, yo twice, p2tog, k to end.
12: same as 4
13: k7 (b/c of increase), p2tog, yo twice, p2tog, k10, p2tog, yo twice,
p2tog, k14
14: same as 4

Okay, so here’s the actual question…when I go back to “cont. in pattern” as the instructions read, row 3 no longer makes sense–that is, i have 7 sts b/c of the increase, so if i only knit 6 and then p2tog/yo, etc., the pattern will be screwed up, right?
Also, counting from row three, it says to increase every 7th and following 10th rows…how do I factor this into the pattern (on row 9 and the following 7th, i understand, but i already increase in row 11, plus, how am i to continue once i have 43 sts on my needle and not shape anymore, when clearly an increase is inherent in the pattern (rows3-14). I am so confused!!!

Please, some kind soul, save/help me!!!

#2

This may need Ingrid’s expertise to translate, but I’m looking at the pattern and I don’t understand why there is an increase in row 11. The way I understand it, you would increase at the beginning of row 7, and every following 10th row {row 17, 27, 37, etc}. This means to me that when you are starting your odd side rows, you are at what would be the side seam. You should be able to see the established pattern somewhat by the time you get to your first increase at row 7. I would simply add 1 knit stitch to the beginning count of the odd rows, and add 1 purl stitch to the ending count of the even rows for every increase to make the numbers add up. For some reason they also want you to do a m1 in row 11 as well. That adds another stitch to your beginning knit/ending purl count.

#3

When a pattern increases at the sides, it is up to you to incorporate the increases into the pattern. So if you increase, you have to take that increase into consideration when you continue the row–not just follow the pattern instructions.

This is very common in sleeves when you have on increase up the sides. You have to add pattern stitches to each end to make the pattern look right.

If you’re adding st st, you have to start your patterning where it started before, not by counting stitches, but by looking at the pattern. One way to avoid getting confused is to place a marker between the end of the pattern and the first increased stitch. Then you can work your increases but still know where the original row started.

#4

I got it!!!

Ingrid–you are a Godsend!!! Thank goodness for experienced knitters like you!!!

Cass