Zigzag Mesh Stitch

[suziekate]

Hi, I'm trying to learn zigzag mesh stitch: the pattern I have is as follows:
row 1: k1, *(yfwd, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yfwd) twice, k1, rep fom *
row 2: p
row 3: k2, *yfwd, ask, yfwd, s1 k2tog psso, yfwd, k2tog, yfwd, k3, ref from* end last rep k2 (instead of 3)
row 4: p

rep rows 1-4 to form pattern

I have a few questions about this pattern:
- why are some instruction on row 1 in brackets?
- with 'psso' i understand it means 'pass slipped stitch over' but does this mean on the right hand needle once you have done the 'k2tog'?
- on the purl rows i end up with slipped crossed over strands from previous rows, do i purl this strand or push it off the left hand needle without doing anything to it?

i'm generally having trouble, the pattern is not working out at all for me so please help! thank you

[salmonmac]

The sts are in brackets (or parentheses) to show you exactly which sts to repeat twice. In row one, repeat the yfwd and ssk or later the k2tog and the yfwd. It's similar to the asterisks in row 3 which tell you what sts or pattern to repeat.

Yes, you're right about the psso, it happens on the right needle.

The slipped sts are off the needle already as you note in the last question. I think the sts that are crossed over the needle from the previous row are the yarn overs caused when you bring the yarn forward (yfwd) before the next st. That's all correct and on the purl row you should treat those yarn overs as sts and purl them.

The total sts seem to be increasing from row 1 to 3. Is that supposed to happen in this pattern or is there more of it than you've quoted?

[suziekate]

okay thank you so much, no that's all of the pattern, that's strange that it seems to increase then :/
another problem i'm having is that i run out of stitches sort of half way through the repeat of the instructions which would suggest that the number of stitches is decreasing not increasing?

[salmonmac]

The pattern in row 3 is calling for more sts than you have (the sts have increased in that row). That's why you've run out of sts. There's a mistake in row 3, I think.
row 3: k2, *yfwd, ask, yfwd, s1 k2tog psso, yfwd, k2tog, yfwd, k3, ref from* end last rep k2
Leave out the K3 in bold.

[suziekate]

thanks!!

[suziekate]

i'll let you know if it works out now

[suziekate]

hmmm now in the first row, i run out of stitches after k2 tog...

[salmonmac]

Start with 11sts on scrap yarn just to see the pattern work:
row 1 k1, *(yfwd, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yfwd) twice, k1, rep fom *

The k1 uses 1, the ssk uses 2sts twice (4total), k1, the k2tog uses 2 (4 total) and the row end k1. That's 11sts.

[suzeeq]

There's a typo in what she posted the 'ask' should be SSK which would put the 4th dec in there and prevent the sts from increasing. The repeat is 10 sts in both row 1 and 3 and it's only on the last repeat in row 3 that the final k3 should be a k2. She shouldn't be leaving out any stitches.

[salmonmac]

Yes, you're right. I was considering the "ask" as an ssk but only doing one repeat, so it should end k2.