Stitches

How many stitches do I cast on for a knitting stitch pattern?

Say a pattern says to cast on a multiple of 2 stitches + 3 (it would be 5), but say you want double or triple the pattern size, how would you do that? Every time I try, I always seem to have one or two stitches more or less then I need and the pattern always winds up looking wrong. Can anyone tell me how to do this in a simple, non-confusing way?

Public Comments

1. The multiple means that whatever number of stitches you cast on has to be able to be divided by 2 and add the + stitches to the whole number. Let's say you have to cast on 38 stitches. These divided by 2 = 19 It can be divided by 2. Adding the 3 stitches would make it 41 stitches. To triple it you would say 38 X 3 = 114. This number can be divided by 2. then add the 3 stitches to make it 117. That is all there to it. Try it and see for yourself.
2. cast on= co co 2 sts then 3 xtra so.... 2x2=4 + 3 xrta total=7 ie....2 st patt repeated 2x + the 3 xtra (doubled) 2x3=6 + 3 xtra total=9....2 st patt repeated 3x + 3 xtra (tripled) 2x4=8 + 3 xtra total=11...2 st patt repeated 4x + 3 xtra (quadrupled) and so on...
3. A "multiple of two" simply means any even number. (An even number ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.) So, figure out how many stitches you need for the size you want to make something. The repeating "stitch pattern" itself will be an even number of stitches. Add 3 to the number you figure out you will need. That's how many you'll cast on. If it is one part of a pattern, WRITE DOWN NOTES AS YOU GO in someplace where you can easily find them again. If you figure out how many stitches to cast on for the front of a sweater, or for one mitten or sock, PLEASE write your notes down as you go. You will thank yourself for doing this, believe me.