Hi all!

I recently took up knitting and have done pretty well so far. I have a pattern for a knitting bag that I really like but I'm not sure what something in the pattern means and I can't seem to find an answer no matter where I look on the web. The pattern goes as follows: K2, *(K1, P1, K1) in next stitch, p3tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2....

the part that is bold is the part I need help with...any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Feridaye

You are told to (k1, p1, k1) in next stitch. You are going to do what is inside the parentheses all in the next stitch. This is a common way to increase one stitch into 3 stitches (a double increase). Knit into the next stitch as normal, but don't slide the stitch off the needle. Next bring the yarn between the needle tips to the front so you can do the purl part. Now purl into the same stitch. Again don't slide it off the needle yet. Take the yarn back to the back between the needle tips so you can do the final knit part. Now, again knit the same stitch, then slip the whole works off the left hand needle to the right hand needle. You have knitted, purled and then knitted again all into one stitch, making three stitches from one.

Hooray for you for discovering the Wonderful World of Knitting. It'll keep you sane for many years to come!

This is the usual way of increasing the number of stitches, especially in the middle of a row. Other ways include YO [wrapping the Yarn Over your needle as if you're knitting (or purling, depending on the patten) your stitch - but there ain't no stitch. You do this between stitches. This gives you a hole - it's used in lacy patterns all the time.

There is another way to increase that is far less common - to reach down to the row below and snag an already-knitted stitch, bringing it up onto your needle to be knitted again - an increase.

Again, welcome to the sanity knitting world!

Dottie