Stitches

decipher these knitting instructions!?

CO 35 sts. Work in garter stitch for 3”(3 ½”, 4”). Next row (RS): Knit 21(21, 19) sts, yo, k1 (twice), yo2, k1 (three times), yo3, k1 (4 times), yo4, k1 (5 times). (WS): Knit all knit sts, drop all yos. Work in garter stitch for 3”(3 ½”, 4”) more. BO. please spell it out very clearly for me exactly what i should be doing, thanks i really appreciate it, i'm only learning!

Public Comments

1. 1. Cast on 35 stitches. Work in garter stitch is just plain knit stitch on both sides (that is, there are no purl stitches) The length depends on the size you are doing. At the top of your pattern it will show that it is for different sizes or maybe age groups if it is a child pattern. If you are doing the first size then you would knit until it is 3 inches long and the second then third sizes are in the brackets and you would go to those lengths if that is the size you are knitting for. 2. RS - usually means that this is the right side. Knit 21 (21,19) - again,this is showing instructions for different sizes. If you are doing the first or second sizes, then knit 21 stitches but if you are doing the third size then you only knit 19 stitches. yo means yarn over. Bring the yarn over the top of the needle and then take it to the back between the needles, then knit one stitch. This will give the appearance of adding an extra stitch. You then repeat this again as it says 'twice' and then y02 means to bring the yarn over the needle two times by wrapping it around the needle giving the appearance of adding two extra stitches and you repeat that sequence three times. You then do yo3 by wrapping the yarn over three times, then knit one stitch and repeat that 4 times, and by then I'm sure you can figure out that y04 is wrapping the yarn around the needle 4 times and you repeat that 5 times. 3. WS is the wrong side. You are only to knit the stitches that you previously 'knitted' and you drop off all the stitches that you wrapped around the needle on the previous row. It's a good idea to recount your stitches then and make sure that you have the 35 stitches you started with. You then continue plain knitting for the same length that you used at the beginning. BO is to bind off or cast off. There are a lot of videos on line that show some of these techniques if you are at all unsure - just go to youtube and search for knitting
2. Better yet, let me give you a website where you can look up all the abbreviations used in knitting patterns. Then you won't have to ask every time. It'll be faster, since you won't have to wait for folks to answer. Go to www.lionbrand.com or www.coatsandclark.com and look around. They both have abbreviation-translating pages. Yarn manufacturers often have the most helpful and best knitting and crocheting sites, since it is in their best interest that we all enjoy our yarn work.
3. This is a pretty difficult pattern for a learner, but I'll try and help. I don't know your size, so I'll put (?) in when it comes to the sized parts of the pattern, ie: 3 (3 1/2, 4). You just insert the number you need there for the size you are making. Whichever size you choose, small, medium or large, use that consistently throughout the pattern. Cast on 35 stitches. Work in garter stitch for (?) inches. Garter stitch is when you knit every row. So knit every row until your work measures (?). Next row: (RS = Right side, or the side of fabric that the world will see) Knit (?)stitches, yo, knit one (repeat all of those stitches...you will have done them twice now) yo2 (do two yarn overs) knit one (do those stitches three times total) yo3 (do three yarn overs) knit 1 (do those stitches four times total yo4 (do four yarn overs) knit one (do those stitches five times total) This should bring you to the end of the row if you have done it right. Now turn your knitting and start back (WS = wrong side) Knit all knit stitches and simply let the yos fall. Dont put your right hand needle in them, just slide them off of your left hand needle. Only your yos, the other stitches you knit. Work in Garter stitch (?) inches more. (Knit every row for (?) more inches) Bind off. Ok, now if you don't know how to cast on, or bind off, or do YO stitches, then go to this site: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-glossary That shows you a knitting glossary, which will be helpful to you as a learner, and down near the bottom, you'll see yo . There's videos on that site to show you most techniques. Just surf the site if you need to learn cast on's and offs and that sort of thing. I think it's the best site out there for beginners. I find it easier to understand videos than diagrams and such. Good luck, and happy knitting!