Shaping neck for raglan sweater

Hi!

I’m knitting my first sweater and have knitted most of the back, decreased over a few rows for the armholes and then come to the section titled “Shape Back Neck”. The next instructions are in the picture.

image

I started this section with 39 st and have done the P.31, slipped 23st onto stitch holder and P the last 8, so right now I have 8 stitches on the needle, then 23 on the holder then 8 again on the same needle.

I’m confused about what to do next! Am I correct in thinking the “last set of st” means the final 8 of the last row? If so, after I’ve decreased on those 8 for a few rows and fastened off, how and where do i rejoin yarn? Am I supposed to cut the yarn after fastening off? And rejoin it somehow to the first 8? What happens to the 23 stitches on the stitch holder?

Thanks so much for your help!!

Yes, cut the yarn after you fasten off leaving about a 6" tail to weave in later.
Start the new end of yarn at the neck edge of the remaining 8sts and follow the same directions for decreases at the neck and armhole edges. You should start the new end of yarn leaving about a 6" tail to weave in later. The first few sts may seem a bit loose but you can always snug them up by a slight pull on the yarn tail.
What is the name of your pattern?