Reading Pattern Inc 1 st in first st

#1

I’m new to knitting, have one scarf under my belt and thought I’d try a baby blanket. Unfortunately I can’t get past the 1st row instructions.

Cast on 2 sts. (ok, i get that, I’ll have three loops over my needle)
1st Row: Inc 1 st in first st. K1. 3 sts.

I’m confused on how to increase in the first stitch. I’ve been using the continental method of knitting. So my loops are on the left needle so do I just make a loop onto the left needle for the increase or do I do a knit stitch then the increase? And I don’t understand K1. 3 sts. If I increase one I’ll then have 4 stitches. Or does it mean to knit the last three sts that are on the needle?

If this helps Row 2: (RS). K1. (yo. K1) twice. 5 sts.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

#2

When you cast on 2 sts, you should have 2sts on the needle, total. If you use a slip knot, count that as one st and cast on one more. For the increase in the first st, try a kfb (knit front and back in the stitch). There’s a video to show you how to do this on the Free Videos tab at the top of the page under Increases.

#3

The first loop counts as the first st, so you begin with only 2 loops on the needle. When a pattern says to inc[B] in[/B] a stitch, that’s a kfb (or pfb). The other incs will add a new st between other sts, like the YOs on the next row.

#4

Wow, fast responses! Thank you so much, both comments very helpful!

#5

Yes, your cast on stitches always includes that first slip knot. The yarn over (YO) increases are going to give you a hole in the work. It will look like a lace or a mesh, depending on what your pattern says.