How many sts do I CO if pattern doesn't specify?

[Jinxie]

Today, I had bought a book of projects/stitch patterns from a craft store. Some have very clear directions (Multiple of 10 sts + 1,) while others don't help at all.

The directions where the CO Instructions usually are say: "Panel of 24 sts on a background of Reverse Stockinette Stitch."

And here's the first row...
Row 1: K2, P4, (K4, P4) twice, K2. To work Cable 4 Back (abbreviated C4B), slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in back of work, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle.

Unless I'm counting very wrongly, that's 28 stitches, and it still isn't going properly.

Thanks in advance.

[salmonmac]

The directions 10 + 1 are really telling something about how the pattern repeats not how many sts to cast on. In the first case you quote, the repeat is 10sts and then there is one additional st. You might set this up as 21 or 31 or 61sts (the one st and the multiples of 10sts).
Usually the pattern then tells you how many sts to cast on for whatever size you are making. What is the name of this pattern? What is it you're making? Is this knit in the round?

[Jinxie]

It's called Saxon Braid - I'm assuming that I would use it for a scarf, or something of the sort; and I'm knitting on straight needles.

[salmonmac]

OK, I see what it looks like. Great pattern for a scarf. See if this site is helpful at dissecting out the braid and how to use it for a scarf. It has few edge sts but I bet the basic braid is the same. You can put in more edge sts if you'd like it wider.

[suzeeq]

The cable is 24 sts, then there's other sts for the 'background'. The pattern isn't meant to be used alone, but in the center of a sweater for instance. To practice it or use it in a scarf, you'd probably want at least 3 sts of rev stockinette before and after it, and another 3 sts at the beginning and end of the row for a garter st border. So that adds another 12 sts. Or you could just add another 6 or 8 and do the first and last 3 or 4 in garter st and forget about the rev st st.

[Jinxie]

I've done it! Haha, thanks everyone Seems I was making everything tons more complicated than it was.