new to knitting

[sunshine3762]

I have a sweater and I am to the neck shaping and it says row 1: For first shoulder, work in pattern across 21 sts; for the neck edge, with separate ball of yarn, bind off 46 for second shoulder, work in pattern across last 21 sts. Next rows: working both sides at same time with separate balls of yarn, work in pattern until piece measures 20", from cast on, ending after p row. Bind off each shoulder loosely. First of all am I suppose to knit the way I have for the last 16" prior? Then the are the 46 sts that are in the middle?

[suzeeq]

Yes, work in pattern means keep knitting the same way as the previous rows. The 46 sts are in the center of the piece, they'll form the neck. Each shoulder will be worked with their own yarn, you can do them at the same time as a split row (work to the bound off sts, drop the yarn, pick up the yarn on the other side, work to the end of the row) or each one separately - finish one, then do the other.