circular sweater pattern help

[raeann97]

Hi-
I am working on a circular sweater pattern from www.morehousefarm.com it is a tunic and it is my first sweater. I am a little confused by the directions. This is the part I am confused about:


Divide for armhole: knit 60 (66/72/81) stitches—half the number of stitches of tunic—then turn and purl back (on wrong side) to beginning of round. Continue working back and forth on front half for 44 (46/50/54) rows. Always knit first and last stitch, even on purl rows—it will make picking up stitches easier around sleeve opening later. Measure about 2 1/2 yards of yarn for binding off shoulder and front neckline (you'll be binding off shoulders from front and back together), then break off yarn. Work second half of stitches for back of tunic to same length as front. Now bind off shoulders using three-needle bind off. Bind off 20 (22/25/29) stitches from left shoulder toward neck, then bind off same number of stitches from right shoulder toward neck. Then bind oft stitches around neckline—pick up (and bind off) one extra stitch at each shoulder where front and back shoulders join. Bind off stitches around neckline loosely so that head fits through neck opening comfortably.

I understand how to knit the first part of the stitches, knit and purl then cut my yarn. But how do you attach my yarn to work the back? Also, when I do my three-needles bind-off where is the third needle coming from?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Rae Ann :D

[Lana]

Oddly, this pattern doesn't say to put the stitches for the back on a holder. I use a really long piece of cotton yarn for stitch holders.
Be sure to measure off the 2 1/2 yards of yarn before cutting.

To attach the yarn to work the back, simply hold the yarn, with about a 12" tail, firmly against the needle and begin with the next stitch that was in line when you turned to work in rows for the front.

Someone here probably knows were there is better info on binding off with three needles.
In general, you put your right needle into corresponding stitches from the back and front and knit them as one. Do the same with with the next two corresponding stitches, and bind off as you would normally.
Clear as mud???
Sorry that's the best I can do. But at least you'll be able to get the back and front done while you're waiting for someone to give a better explaination of the three needle bind off.

[Ingrid]

Here is video for three needle bindoff.