I need some real help here

[nonny2t]

I am using a garnstudio pattern to make a fair isle dog sweater and I have come to this point and have tried to work it several ways and it just does not come out right. Maybe a different set of eyes will see what I don't. The red portion is what I have knitted and am ok with (btw the M1, M2, etc is the pattern indications to follow not make 1, make 2 etc I thought it was a bad choice to use that letter to show the pattern but...) anyhow, how do I go about splitting the forelegs to make the leg opening knitting in the round??? I tried just following the pattern exactly as written and you end up with just a tiny hole where the stitches are on a holder. I thought maybe though it doesn't say so that you are supposed to bind off the 1st stitch, put the 11 on a holder then join another 2 balls (for the two fair isle colors) to the other side and knit, but then you come back around and you have the same predicament. I know I am being obtuse, but I just do not see what to do! Thanks for anyone that can help me.

COAT
Knit the coat in the round from the top and down.
Cast on 52-72-92 sts with double pointed needle size 3 mm [US 2or3] in off white. Knit in Rib for 6-8-10 cm [X’’] (= neck). Change to small circular needle size 3.5 mm [US 4] (sock needle in size XS), knit 1 round in stockinette sts at the same time inc. 8-12-16 sts evenly distributed = 60-84-108 sts. Continue the pattern as follows:
Size XS: M.1, M.3 and M.5
Size S: M.1, M.2, M.3, M.4 and M.5
Size M: M.1, M.2 2 times, M.3, M.4 and M.5 2 times.
At the same time when the piece measures 10-14-18 cm [4”-5½”-7”] split the piece for the forelegs as follows: bind off 1 st, put 11-11-23 sts on a thread or a stitch holder (= underneath the stomach), bind off 1 st, and continue the pattern knitting back and forth on needle over the remaining 47-71-83 m (= back piece).
When the piece measures a total of 16-22-28 cm [6 ¼”-8 ¾”-11”] (the opening measures approx. 6-8-10 cm [2 3/8”-3 1/8”-4”]) put sts on a thread or a stitch holder.
Put the sts from underneath the stomach back on needle and knit in pattern as for as long as the back piece.
Put all sts back on the same needle and cast on 1 new st each side in between the top and the bottom piece (back and underneath the stomach) = 60-84-108 sts. Finish the pattern, and continue with red until finish. When the piece measures 19-27-35 cm [7½”-10 5/8”-13 ¾”] bind off 9-13-17 sts mid underneath the stomach. Then complete the work knitting back and forth on needle – at the same time cast off each side on every other row : 2 sts 1-2-3 times, 1 st 8-9-10 times, 2 sts 1-2-3 times and 3 sts 1 time = 21-31-41 sts left. The work measures approx. 27-37-47 cm [10 5/8”-14½”-18½”].

Assembly: Put the remaining sts on a small circular needle size 3 mm [US 2or3] and in addition pick up sts around the casting off edge so the total number of sts = approx. 84-108-140 m. Knit Rib for 2½ -3-3 cm [7/8”-1 1/8”1 1/8”], bind off loosely.

Leg: Pick up approx 36-44-52 sts with double pointed needle size 3 mm [US 2or3] and red, around 1 of the openings for the legs. Knit in Rib for 3-4-6 cm [1 1/8”-1½”-2 3/8”], bind off loosely with K over K and P over P. Repeat for the other opening.

[Ingrid]

bind off 1 st, put 11-11-23 sts on a thread or a stitch holder (= underneath the stomach), bind off 1 st, and continue the pattern knitting back and forth on needle over the remaining 47-71-83 m (= back

I think this might be your predicament. After you put the stitches on hold, you'll work each section by itself, working back and forth rather than in the round.

When they're the right length, you'll rejoin.

[nonny2t]

See, I told you I just needed another pair of eyes and a lovely lady to highlight just one part of the instructions "knitting back and forth" to make me see it. Bless you Ingrid!!!!

bind off 1 st, put 11-11-23 sts on a thread or a stitch holder (= underneath the stomach), bind off 1 st, and continue the pattern knitting back and forth on needle over the remaining 47-71-83 m (= back

I think this might be your predicament. After you put the stitches on hold, you'll work each section by itself, working back and forth rather than in the round.

When they're the right length, you'll rejoin.