problem with pattern

[Namwan]

I have a problem with the pattern of this dishcloth. On row 2 where it says “sl 1”, is it supposed to be slip knit-wise or purl-wise (and is it the same for psso)? Also, how come I end up getting more than 42 stitches after I finish row 2? Isn’t it supposed to be 42 stitches for every row?
Baby Fern Stitch Dishcloth
Designer :Vaunda Rae Giberson Be sure and visit her web site.
Materials: 1 ball Cotton yarn, Size 4mm or 4.5mm needles, (US 6 or 7).
Rating: Medium
Directions:
Multiple of 12 stitches + 6
Cast on 42 sts
Knit 4 rows for border.

Rows 1 and alt rows (WS): K3, Purl across to last 3 sts. K3.
Row 2: K3, * K2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sl 1, k1, psso, p1, k1, p1, Rep from * across to last 3 sts. k3.
Row 4: K3, * K2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, sl 1, k1, psso, p1, k1, p1, Rep from * across to last 3 sts. k3.
Row 6: K3, * k2tog, yo, k5, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, p1, k1, p1, Rep from * across to last 3 sts. k3.

Rep these six rows until desired length.
Knit 4 rows.
Bind off, Weave in ends.

[five_six]

i usually slip it knitwise for this decrease. And as for the count, as far as I can tell, unless my math is bad, is should be 42 on each row, as there are the same amount of decreases as increases in each row. How many stitches extra do you come up with at the end of the row?

[Namwan]

I tried slipping it knitwise, and for both times I tried I ended up getting 43 stitches for the next row

[five_six]

are you passing the slipped stitch back over the next stitch you knit?

[Namwan]

No...do I have to do that?

[five_six]

yes that is what psso means... pass slipped stitch over... You should have the correct count after you have done this. So you slip 1 knitwise, knit one, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. It's a decrease to make up for one of the yo's.

[Namwan]

Oh I did do it for "psso" but not "sl"...I don't know what I'm doing wrong :(

[five_six]

hmmm... not sure.

Row 2: K3, * K2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sl 1, k1, psso, p1, k1, p1, Rep from * across to last 3 sts. k3.

The bit I've bolded is all part of one move, and you should end up with 1 stitch after completing the 3 steps above. Have you checked out Amy's video here to see if you are doing it right. It's called SKP so have a look at the video for that. But if you weren't passing each one over, you would end up with more than one extra stitch, as your repeating that a few times in the row.

I'm befuddled

[Namwan]

Ohh so the part in bold is one? I thought only "psso" is "slip, knit, pass", so what I did (on the bold part) was slip, knit, slip, knit, pass

So what I have to do is cut out the first "slip, knit" right?

[five_six]

exactly!