Started a pattern, but stuck at the first part

#1

Hi,

I am new to this forum and to knitting so will appreciate any help I can get :slight_smile:

I have started a pattern for a cardigan and am having a little trouble with my math. The instructions start with me casting on 22 sts then for 1st Row * K1 P1, rep from * to end then Rep 1st row 6 times which I have one. However, the next row says to Rib to end dec 4 sts evenly across the row leaving 18 sts. My first question is, how can I achieve this evenly and does it matter whether I use a knit or purl stitch when I’m decreasing?
Secondly, the pattern has the option of knitting pockets on the cardigan, but I have chosen to leave these out. My second question is, therefore, what part of the instructions do I skip? I have an idea, but confirmation would give me the confidence to go ahead with the pattern. Instructions are as follows:
[B]Next Row:[/B] Rib to end dec 4 sts evenly across row. 18 sts.
[B]Change to 4mm needles[/B] and working in st-st (throughout) work 16 rows.
[B]Place Pocket[/B]
[B]Next Row:[/B] K5, cast off 9 sts, knit to end.
[B]Next Row:[/B] P4, purl across 9 sts left on stitch holder for Pocket Lining, purl to end.
Cont in st-st until Left Front measures 14 cm, ending with a rs row.

Is it safe for me to assume I simply continue from where I’m instructed to change my needles and work in st-st until I reach the required measurement i.e. ignoring instructions from [B]Place Pocket[/B]?

I hope I have explained clearly enough what it is I am needing help with and would be grateful for any responses.

Thanks
Sarah

#2

Since this is where you change to stockinette st on the row after it, doesn’t matter if you dec in pattern or not - the pattern changes. Dec evenly just means to have the decs spaced out about the same distance apart. There are 4 decs, so that divides the sts into 5 ‘sections’ and with 22 sts, if you dec 4 sts apart that should do it - k4, dec, k3, dec, k3, dec, k3, dec, k4.

Yes, just forget about attaching the pocket liner, etc, and work in stockinette until you have 14cm.

#3

Hi Sarah, welcome to KnittingHelp. Yes, you are right to assume you just work St st straight up to the 14 cm as given, skipping the pocket part.

For the decreases I would *work 3 sts and work sts 4 and 5 together, work 4 and work sts 5 and 6 together and repeat from *. That will make them as evenly spaced as possible. If you choose to do it as it says and decrease in the last row of ribbing you will have 2 stitches the same next to each other no matter what you do, just choose whether to k2tog or p2tog each time.

But often when I have this kind of thing to do I choose to decrease it on the first row of the St st instead of in the last row of the ribbing. I don’t know for sure if that would be a knit row or a purl row in your case, but then you would do it the same way I said above, but if it was a WS row you would p2tog each time, and if it was a RS row you would k2tog each time.

#4

Thanks for the help. Your explanations make it much clearer and pattern is coming along well so far :slight_smile:

Glad I found this site/forum, it is very useful and I’m sure will be of much help to me with future patterns.

Thanks again!