Help! I'm 'Knew'!!!

[KnittingKnews]

I know how to knit, but reading those patterns are the difficult part. How do I know how many stitches to cast on? I am doing a 12 mth baby sweater that says finished size 22" and then goes right into Garter St Ridge pattern (16 stitches). I am lost and frustrated not understanding the 'language' of knitting!!

[suzeeq]

Keep reading the pattern and you'll find where it says "CO X sts." Often patterns will have the stitch pattern at the beginning, then you refer to it later when it says to work in pattern after casting on.

[Becky Morgan]

Also, if the pattern will make, say, a 6-month, 12-month and 18-month size, and it says something like "CO 42-45-47 sts", understand it means "for 6-month, cast on 42, for 12-month, cast on 45 for 18-month, cast on 47". It also helps if you highlight or circle the stitches needed for the size you're working on, because when you shape shoulders or whatever there's often a "knit 5-6-7 purl 4-6-8" or somesuch. It's good to rad through the pattern and circle what you're going to need so you don't get confused later on.