Bag pattern interpretation help, please

[knitqueen]

I'm plugging my way through my first actual crochet pattern. The Sanibel Bag from Berroco. It is very straight forward, all single crochet in the round and I've figured it out so far, but looking ahead to the instructions for the handle:

Row 2: Sl st over first 3 sc's, ch 1, sc in next 57 sc's. Turn
Row 3: Sl st over first 3 sc's, ch 1, sc in next 54 sc's. Turn
Row 4: Sl st over first 2 sc's, ch 1, sc across

etc.

I understand it all except for the 'Sl st over first 3sc's' Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Riss]

A slip stitch is simply putting your hook through the hole, drawing up a loop, and pulling that loop straight through the working loop on the hook. It basically moves you on to the next stitch without making a big stitch.

If you've worked in the round for the rest of the bag, you must have been joining with a slipt stitch at the end of each row. Its basically the same thing.

If it doesn't make sense... let me know and I'll try to explain it better. :D

[knitqueen]

Yes, I know how to do a slip stitch (you're right, it's been done at the end of each round), just not sure what it means by 'over next 3 sc's'. Does it mean that I will make 3 slip stitches one after the other, and then continue with the row?

[Songbirdy]

Yes...

so your next 'sc' will actually happen in the fifth 'sc' in the row below.

You'll have 3 slipped stitches, the 'ch 1' as the first post and then the 'sc' in the 5th sc...

[knitqueen]

Yes...

so your next 'sc' will actually happen in the fifth 'sc' in the row below.

You'll have 3 slipped stitches, the 'ch 1' as the first post and then the 'sc' in the 5th sc...

One final question, because I think I've mostly got it now: you say that the first actual sc will happen in the 5th sc in the row. Yet it says to slip stitch 3 sc's and then ch 1 and sc all stitches to the end of the row - so to me that sounds like your first sc in this current row would be in the 4th sc of the previous row. So do you skip the 4th sc because you did a ch 1??

[Riss]

i'm trying to work out out in my head... its really difficult without actually having it infront of you... :\

I think the best way to do it would be to count the holes for stitches back from the start of the row.. so you'll count 57 spaces for the 57 scs... and then see where that leaves you. I'm not sure whether it would be the 4th or the 5th.

I've always kind of wondered what the "right" way to do it would be... But if I was you, I'd end up counting it to get it right.

I can't wait to see pictures of this bag... It looks really pretty on the pattern site...

[Songbirdy]

So do you skip the 4th sc because you did a ch 1??

Yes, the ch 1 is considered your first post... typically. Usually the pattern will say if it isn't to be considered the first post.

The post is the completed stich (sc, dc, etc)

[hydeemarie]

why would you skip the fourth one? I wouldnt. hmmm... weird.

[purlwise]

Seems like you are making a graduating decrease like you would if you were starting to do an armhole on a sweater?

[Songbirdy]

You aren't skipping the 4th stitch... the ch 1 essentially acts as the first sc of the next row.

If you don't count it, what will likely happen is that you'll end up increasing your work by accident.

You have to chain up once stitch to make the next row lay flat. If you were doing a row of dc next you'd chain up two and then do a dc. If you were doing a treble, patterns either have you chain up 3 or 4 and then do a treble. [note: European and US patterns use different short forms for half-treble and treble stitches].

You can opt to not count it, but you will find on doing a rectangle that every other side of your rectangle will have a little loopy on the end of the row where you've flipped it over...

if this isn't making sense, as it really is a visual thing I'd be willing to make a mini swatch. I still have to post my other picture for the kniting thing I promised.