Question on right or wrong side?

#1

Hi all you experts out there. I’m back again with another question on a pattern I saw.

This pattern is for a shawl and I’m confused with the very first instruction. Here is the pattern link: http://www.patonsyarns.com/data/pattern/pdf/instruction_1488.pdf

Here is where I’m confused: How would you go about the first row? I get the casting on part but how do you knit on the “wrong side”?

“INSTRUCTIONS
With smaller needles and A, cast on 40 sts.
1st row: (WS). Sl1. Knit to end of row.
Rep last row twice more.
Change to larger needles and proceed as follows:”

I just don’t get it. I’m having a “duh” moment I guess. :lol:

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Kim

#2

Wrong side just means the inside… or the side that won’t be showing. The right side is the outside. I used to get confused about how to tell the difference, especially on stockingnette or garter stitch fabric, but what I did was just use 2 different color needles. I’d know I was on the “wrong side” with the red needle, and the “right side” with the silver one (or whatever). Alternatly, you could put a stitch counter on one of your needles, and make a mental note that when that needle is in your left hand , you’re on the right side… or however you want to do it. You can hang a saftey pin from a stitch on one side. OR just remember that, in this case, your ODD rows are WS and the even rows are RS. But then you’d have to count every time. HTH! :thumbsup:

#3

Excellent suggestions Hilde … Bravisimo … :notworthy:

#4

Ok, I guess that makes sense when you’ve started knitting something already but I’m still confused. :thinking:

When you finish casting on, do you just “decide” that the next row is the wrong side or is there something special I’m supposed to be doing??

Like I said, I’m just slightly confused. Maybe I’m over thinking the whole thing. :wink:

Thanks for the help! :smiley:

#5

Yep - I think you’re over-analyzing. :mrgreen: Your pattern states that row 1 is the WS. So all odd numbered rows are going to be the WS. :wink: See, the pattern has decided it for ya.

#6

Oh thank you. Sometimes the obvious isn’t so obvious until someone else points it out. Hee hee! :lol:

Thanks a bunch! :smiley:

#7

Yes, luckily when you’re following a pattern all of the hard decisions have already been made for you! :smiley: