Raspberry Stitch
Cast on a multiple of 4 + 2
1st and 3rd rows: P
2nd row: K1, *(K1, P1, K1) into the next st, P3tog, repeat from * to last st, k1
4th row: K1, *P3tog, (K1, P1, K1) into the next st, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Rows 1 - 4 form pattern. Repeat for desired length.
Can anyone explain to me what the word “into” means in the 2nd and 4th rows? How do you knit three stitches into one?
How can you “purl three together” without it being a decrease?
:?? :??
Thanks so much!
It IS a decrease. You’re increasing when you k,p,k into one stitch, and decreasing when you p3tog.
To kpk into one stitch, you knit as usual, but don’t slide the stitch off. Bring the yarn forward between the needles and purl into the same stitch, then bring the yarn back and knit into it again. Then slide it off.
Ok, when I k,p,k into the stitch, I have 3 loops on my right needle, even though I’m not sliding the original stitch off the left. How to you purl these three “loops” when they’re on the right needle?
I don’t think I’m doing this right…
You’re not going to P3tog on those 3 stitches from the K1P1K1. You are going to P3tog the next 3 stitches on the left needle. Once you have done the K1P1K1 increase, you will slide the original stitch off the left needle and then proceed with the P3tog. On the 4th row it will be the same thing, except the order is reversed.
Ooohhhhhh!!! DUH!! Ok, I was making that too hard… thank you…that makes more sense now. Thank you both, ladies, you rock!! 
However… now that I know how to do what the pattern says, how it the world do you actually, physically do it?? It took about 20 minutes to get the (kpk, p3tog) pattern done about only 4 times… How it in the world are you suppsed to get the needle all the way down through 3 whole stitches purlwise (or even knitwise??) It’s so hard!! my fingers hurt!! I’m using size 10 aluminum needles… do the stitches need to be ultra loose or something?? Am I that wimpy??
OUCH!
You have discovered one secret of knitting. P3tog is a PITA!
You could use a smaller dpn and do it and then transfer the stitch to your larger needle. 
:rofling: :rofling:
Oh, ok, thank you for enlightening me!! I think I’ll put Raspberry Stitch on the bottom of my list of fancy stitches to try!!
still icing my fingers…
Thanks, both of you, for your help.