place stitches on holder and co 11 stitches

[barbdwyer]

Hi
Im using janis cortese's pattern for Broad Street Mittens (fingerless gloves @ http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/PATTbroadstreet.html and im at the thumb gusset. i have placed the 14 stitches (after increasing) onto a holder and the pattern states:

Place these added stitches along with the purled stitch and the stitch at the end of the needle (14 stitches in all) onto a holder, and co 11 stitches.
K the last cast-on stitch together with the first stitch on the third needle (this prevents a gap from forming between the second and third needles)
K 1 row even

My questions are:

1. Am i casting on stitches over the thumb gusset increased area? (my working yarn is at the end of the stitches on the holder)
2. How do i cast on those 11 stitches?

Thanx

[suzeeq]

You would use the knit or cable caston, and do it wherever your yarn end is. Which should be at the end of the 14 sts on the holder. I think.

[barbdwyer]

K the last cast-on stitch together with the first stitch on the third needle (this prevents a gap from forming between the second and third needles)

Im sorry, im confused. if my working yarn is at the end of the 14 stitches (on a holder at the end of needle 2), and i cast on 11 stitches, knitting the last cast on stitch together with the first stitch on the third needle, doesnt that make a small loop, having nothing to do with the previous increase?

[suzeeq]

Ehhhh, not sure. I don't use dpns much, so am not able to visualize it well. Sorry. I think that you do have an opening there. Look ahead and see how it addresses finishing up after you've knit the thumb and are putting everything together.

[barbdwyer]

thank you

this is my first time using dpn's and or mittens/gloves. ill just try something and see what happens... lol. let you know!

[MerigoldinWA]

I went and looked at the pattern. It is a little unclear on a couple of points.

But where you are now....When you are increasing for the gusset it sounds like all the extra stitches are being added to needle #2. There is the purl stitch, the 12 added stitches and the knit stitch right at the end of needle #2. You are supposed to move those 14 stitches to a holder. Then cast on 11. You never cast on on a holder as far as I know, so I am thinking you are supposed to CO these 11 at the end of #2, just saving the 14 on the holder to deal with later. (That is one thing that isn't clear, the very next part is decreasing the gusset and it doesn't say to put the 14 stitches back on the needle, but maybe you would need to.) Then you could knit the last of the new cast on stitches together with the first stitch on needle #3 like they said. Then knit the even round.

[barbdwyer]

i know, its confusing to me too. i did move the 14 stitches to a holder. i tried casting on the 11 stitches and joining to the middle-ish of needle #2. then following the pattern from there. not sure what im really to do. i think ill just rip it out and try another pattern. lol. any help would be appreciated. i live in a rural place and dont have access to a LYS with people who would be able to help.

[Plantgoddess+]

It will be awkward, but the 14 stitches on the holder will be your thumb. When you cast on the 11 stitches you will need to pull your yarn tight so there is no length of unworked yarn between your existing stitches on needle 2 and the cast on stitches, then work the last stitch of needle 2 and 1st of needle 3 as directed and continue on to decrease gusset of thumb and work palm.

[barbdwyer]

thank you so very much. that makes more sense. i had knitted those 14 gusset stitches before putting them on the holder and my working yarn was on the wrong side. cross your fingers.. lol.