sweater pattern help!

[sthenry7]

i'm knitting my first sweater....i am shaping the back neck and shoulders & am stuck! the pattern says:

next row (rs) cast off 5 sts, patt until there are 7 sts on right needle and turn, leaving rem sts on a holder. work each side of neck separately.
cast off 3 sts at beg of next row
cast off rem 4 sts
with rs facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts, cast off center 27 sts, patt tto end
complete to match first side, reversing shapings.

yikes!
i have the 7 stitches but....what to do next??? i put the other stitches on a holder
but it says to turn so are the stitches on the left side?? i'm not quite sure i know what to do....& what does it mean to work each side of neck separately?

thanks for your help!!

[suzeeq]

You're dividing to work shaping on one side of the neck, then you'll do the other. The stitches you put on a holder will be on the right after you turn and you'll work on the 7 stitches.. You'll BO 3 stitches on that row, then turn and BO the last 4 stitches. Now, with the stitches that are on the holder on the left side, take an end of yarn (leave about 3 inches to weave in later) and BO 27 stiches, and work in your pattern to the end of the row. Turn, BO 5 sts, work 7 stitches in pattern (that should be all you have on your needles at that point) and turn again. BO 3 stitches, then the last 4. now you're done.

sue

[sthenry7]

thanks so much....i decided to try to figure it out myself ... oops!! i wish i would have waited because you explained it so easily. javascript:emoticon('')

it doesn't look awful though & i'm quite proud i finished the back of the tunic sweater....now i just have to do the front left & right sides!!
i'm sure you'll see me posting more questions.
this site is so amazing - everybody answers so quickly & makes it really easy.
i'm happy to be a knitter.

happy new year!