Need help with Sweater pattern

[genie007]

I need help with a sweater pattern. It is suppose to be easy, but I'm confused with part of the pattern. I hope some one can help.
I have casted on the desired amount of stiches 103 and am told to work 3 rows in 1x1 rib. Row 1 is *K1, P1, rep from* to last stitch, K1. Row 2 is P1,* K1, P1, rep from * to end. I am assuming row 3 is same as row 1. Now Row 4 is where I am confused. Row 4--Rib 5 (1:5), rib2tog, (rib 6 (8:8), rib2tog) 10 times, rib 6 (0:6). 82
(92:102) sts. I am making this sweater in medium size.

Thanks.

[Becky Morgan]

It looks like you're decreasing on that row.

Are you confused by the numbers in parentheses? That's generally "for medium (large, extra-large)". In other words, "rib five (for large, rib one, for extra-large, rib five) rib 2 together, then rib so many (for large, eight, for extra-large, eight)..."

It helps if you go through the pattern with a highlighter and highlight the instructions that go with the size you're making. In general, a number after a row means "you now have (this many) stitches", which is handy if you've increased or decreased or if you're working in lace where the rows have varying stitch counts because of the pattern.

[suzeeq]

To 'rib' 5 or 1 or whatever means to work that many sts in the rib pattern, not to make 5 ribs. You're making the med size so you'd start Row 4 with p1 then work 2 tog, and continue k1 p1 k1 p1 k1 p1, then work 2 tog. Do the 'rib 6, rib 2tog' 9 more times, and end with 6 st in the rib pattern and you should have a total of 82 sts when you finish the row.

[genie007]

To 'rib' 5 or 1 or whatever means to work that many sts in the rib pattern, not to make 5 ribs. You're making the med size so you'd start Row 4 with p1 then work 2 tog, and continue k1 p1 k1 p1 k1 p1, then work 2 tog. Do the 'rib 6, rib 2tog' 9 more times, and end with 6 st in the rib pattern and you should have a total of 82 sts when you finish the row.

Thanks for the help, I just have one more question when doing the k1 p1 ribbing, when I have to rib 2 together am I knitting 2 together or purling 2 together???

[suzeeq]

That's why they don't specifically say - it depends where you are in the rib patter as to which you do. If a knit or purl would look better there.