Knitting pattern help.

[VkLeather]

Hi

I can knit beautifully but have never actually followed a pattern before, i usually just make it up as i go, but my brother has begged me to knit this one for him for most of the year....can someone please help me here to understand the basics here?

Cast on 12 sts with Click for base edge and st st 2
rows.
1st inc row K1, (inc 1) three times, K3, (inc 1) three
times, K2. [18 sts]

So fine i have my 12 stitches going but when i try to read that first increasing row I translate that to mean...
.. knit one then increase one three times..
...then knit three...
...then increase one, knit one three times....
...knit two.

But when i try, i dont end up with 18 stitches I end up with a LOT more.

If some kind soul could explain the mystery language there I am misunderstanding I would be able to apply it to the rest of the pattern and prove to a 33 year old burley hairy man that very good boys do in fact get the knitted Sackboys theyve been longing for at christmas!

Warmly,

Rebecca.

[Former_Member]

pattern seem to be written weird.

when closest I can get it is 20 sts when i read it like this

[k1,m1] 3 times, [k3,m1] 3 times, k2

and you'd have to have 14 stitches to start the row, not 12

another way I could read it, you only have 12 stitches when finished, and start with 6!


could you show me a picture or a link to the finished object?? maybe we can figure this out.

[Former_Member]

Yes, that's what I am getting too. 20 stitches on the base of 14 stitches.

I just wonder if there can be a play with edge stitches.
Some patterns do not count them when in knitting, but do count when you are casting on. Then everythign falles into place.

Though I really doubt that, as american patterns do not usually have edge stitches.

When I don't understand written pattern, and frankly that happens quite often, as I am a visual knitter, I graph the pattern.

From a written pattern it is impossible to see the shape of what you are knitting. If you graph it you will see the shape and understand how and why the stitches are arranged, immediately.
I suggest you graph it.

[VkLeather]

Thats what keeps happening to me I end up with way too many stitches every row I try. Very reassuring to know Im not mad after all!

Here is the pattern: http://www.littlebigplanetoid.com/images/uploads/sackboy_knitting_pattern_screen.pdf

If worse comes to worse Ill just experiment and try to bluff the shapes - just thought it would be quicker to follow the pattern.

Thanks Steph x

I

[VkLeather]

Sorry Irene, our posts crossed paths.

Excellent idea on graphing the pattern! I do that with other things never even considered it for knitting, fantastic idea, Thanks so much!

[Former_Member]

Rebecca, it looks like I got it.

You should read the patterns as follows:
k1, k1,yo,k1,yo, k1,yo, k1,k1,k1, k1, yo,k1, yo, k1, yo, k1,k1.

I have checked how the pattern is written in general.
K1 means just k1; ink 1 means k1 +yo!
That's a weird way to write the pattern for american knitters who are used to follow the instructions by the letter.
But, now I do remember seeing that way of representing increases( and decreases) somewhere elso.
Probably that's why I was able to figure it out, I have just remembered that way of knitting.
Good luck and happy knitting!
If you get stuck again do drop me a line, I don't always look through all the threads on the subject of knitting.

[VkLeather]

Forgive the delay getting back to this thread, ive had a rather stunningly odd few days and havent had a second.

Thats 18 stitches!!!! Will go and try it out right this second and see if I can get at least 10 rows in using this formula.

Thankyou so so much :) x

[VkLeather]

nearly finished it :) The formula worked perfectly...thankyou x