Why do they make patterns so hard to understand???

[sarahralva]

I have a pattern for socks that says,

Next row K2, patt to last 2 sts, K2
Last 2 rows set the sts.
Cont as set for 22 rows more, ending with WS facing for next row.



What does 'set the sts.' mean? Does 'cont as set' mean start from the beginning and repeat? Shouldn't it have said 'cont patt'?

[Ingrid]

It probably just starts the pattern stitches. I think you should repeat those 2 rows.

[LoriSax]

I wondered the same thing last night, why they are all so different, and hard to read. I am doing a Beginner pattern for a vest, and I am already stumped by their wording as you can see my question in the pattern forum!!

Hopefully with time, they are easier to understand.
Lori

[redwitch]

I think they are saying that the last 2 rows do set the stitches, not an imperative 'set the stitches'.

[suzeeq]

Or `will set the pattern sts'. It's the row you quoted, plus the previous row. Then repeat those rows for 22 rows more.

[of troy]

it is hard in the beginning..

its a whole new language.

eons ago, when i was first learning to read patterns, i would type them out (on a typewriter!)

Its easier to do with a word processer, and still a good way to learn to "translate"

K2, (pattern here) K2

turns into:

Knit 2, (Pattern here, written out as Knit and purls) (plus, if it helps, how many times you repeat the pattern) Knit 2

to make it even clearer
Knit 2, (Pattern here, written out as Knit and purls) (plus, if it helps, how many times you repeat the pattern) Knit 2

the words
Cont as set for 22 rows more, ending with WS facing for next row.

would be written out too.
Continue in the pattern for 22 more rows, ending with the Wrong Side facing.

if the pattern is a 4 row pattern, this would be 4 and a half repeats of the pattern --what ever the number of repeats, (10, 5, 4 what ever!) would note it.

This is so much easier to do with a computer..

after a some practice reading the pattern short hand, and translating it back into "plain english" you'll be so much better at reading/translating on the fly!

Then...

[sarahralva]

Thanks everyone! you've been much help!