Stitches

Binding Off in knitting....I do not understand pattern instructions. Could someone please help?

Creative Knitting Magazine. January 2009 issue. Easy Basket-Weave Cardigan..page 16. I have never made a cardigan before and do not understand the instructions for "Shape neck". Instructions are as follows: "Shape neck At beg of WS row, bind off [8 sts] once, [3 sts] once, [2 sts] once,and [1 st] once. Work even on rem 18 sts until front is same length as back." I understand and can do the basic bind off but I don't understand what I am to do here......do I cut the yarn after each set of sts to be bound off? Am I to bind them off all together? I am completely lost. Thanks in advance!

Public Comments

1. If I'm understanding this correctly, here's what you do: Row 1 (RS) - follow basket-weave pattern. Row 2 (WS) - Bind off 8, continue in pattern until end. Row 3 (RS) - Follow pattern. Row 4 (WS) - Bind off 3, continue until end. Row 5 (RS) - Follow pattern. Row 6 (WS) - Bind off 2, continue until end. Row 7 (RS) - Follow pattern Row 8 (WS) - Bind off 1, continue until end Row 9 (RS) - Follow pattern. Row 10 (WS) - Follow pattern, and continue until front is the same length as back. Make sure you have 18 stitches. I hate confusing knitting patterns! If this doesn't help, try going to your local yarn shop and asking them to demonstrate. Good luck! :)
2. Do not cut the yarn after each bind off you will still have stitches remaining on your needles to be knit in the basket weave pattern. The bound off stitches will be at the neck edge only so in effect you are binding off the specified number of stitches ever other row.. Continuing the row shapes what will become your shoulder seam.