Question about pattern instructions

How-to Questions
1

[color=DarkBlue]I am working on my first sweater, it’s an extra large. I’m using medium worsten weight yarn with size 8 24-inch circular needles.

This is a Knitting Pure & Simple pattern number 257. The pattern was written for an extra small size.

I have just divided for the sleeves and the pattern says to knit every round until piece measures 10" from the top of the shoulder. Since I am working on an extra large piece it’s already 10" from the top of the shoulder. I believe this is because I had to add stitches to accommodate for the size difference???

Would I just continue with the pattern as written and go to the next step? Or do I need to knit a few additional rows since the last row is the sleeve division row? :shrug:

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
LeAnn[/color]

2

I believe you need to knit a few rows, like you said, just for the sleeve division part. I’m confused though about how you adapted the pattern. Was the pattern only written for XS? Even if you adjusted for the size of the pattern, you should still be able to measure 10" from the top of the shoulder?

3

[color=darkblue]Thanks for responding so quickly…

I was able to knit for an extra large size because in the pattern in shows something like this…

Sizes - x-small (small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large)
Finished Measurements -
Chest - 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52) inches
Length - 22 inches

So I chose the Chest size that closely matches the person I’m knitting for, and at the beginning of the pattern in shows this…

Beginning at the neck edge with the size 8 24-inch circular needle, cast on firmly 2 sts, place a marker, cast on 10 (9, 9, 9, 8, 8 ) sts, place a marker, cast on 26, (28, 29, 30, 32, 33)… etc…

So everytime I come to a part in the pattern that is specific for size they give me the number selections, which increases the size. At one section in the pattern I had to knit until there were so many stitches between the markers and for each size it was different 64 (70, 77, 84, 92, 99). I needed to get to 92 and the pattern was written for 64 that’s why I have additional rows.

Hope this helps with the explanation. I’m just a beginner so I may be a little confused. It looks like a sweater…kinda… :teehee: [/color]

4

Where you split for the sleeves is the top of the shoulder. So after splitting for sleeves, if it says to knit for 10", that is what you should do. Does that make sense? As my favorite knitting goddess says, “Trust the Pattern”.

5

[color=darkblue]Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to help. Like I said…this is my first sweater. I’ll trust the pattern and see what happens. :star:

This forum is a really great resource. Please everyone keep up the good suggestions, they are life savers! :cheering: [/color]

6

So many times, you just need someone to look at the pattern and go, “uh huh, uh huh, exactly”. We’ve all been there! Good luck, can’t wait to see the finished product.

7

[color=darkblue]Okay, I’m back… :waah: I’m sorry if this was already covered, but I’ve searched the forum and couldn’t find anything.

In the same pattern that I described above I am now getting ready to do side shaping.

The pattern is as follows:
Side Shaping - Knit to within 2 sts of the first side marker, ssk, slip marker, k1, k2tog, knit to within 2 sts of next marker, ssk, slip marker, k1, k2tog, knit to end of round.

I have already done this portion. It’s the next step that I don’t understand.

The pattern reads:
Repeat this decrease round every 10th round 3 more times. Work even until piece measures 18 inches from top of shoulder.

So…If I’m repeating this 3 more times, does that mean that I’m knitting 30 rows and on the 10th, 20th and 30th row I’m doing the decrease pattern, and the rest of the time I’m just knitting in the round?

Please help oh smart knitters out there…[/color]

8

Yep, that’s what it means. I’m just finishing up a sweater with those same instructions. As a knitter who gets interrupted a lot, I find it very helpful to put a lifeline in (see glossary) on the increase or decrease rows.
That way it’s easier to count the ten rows and keep the spacing even.

9

[color=darkblue]Thank you. I’ll try the lifeline suggestion. Hopefully I’ll get done with this sweater before next year. :teehee: [/color]