Cant understand pattern - decreasing

[nickyfraggle]

Hello,

I'm a new knitter, and have found a lovely pattern to knit, but I don't understand it.

I've started a rib, I'm 2 rows in and it's going ok...

But I've now got to do this:

Cont in rib, dec 1 st at each end of 5th and 2 foll 4th rows (79) sts

Work in rib for a further 9 rows, ending with a ws row.

Ok, so this is what I THINK it means.... can you please correct me if I'm completely wrong!

I think it means, on row 5 (ignoring the first 2 rows I've knitted?) I should decrease 1 stitch at each end of the row. As it doesn't tell me how I assume I can decrease in any way I normally would.

And then, on the 4th row following row 5, which would be row 9, I should decrease 2 on each side?

I now have 85 stitches, and should end up with 79, so this would make sense, 2 from row 5 and 4 decreased from row 9....

So, should I ignore the 2 rows I've already knitted, and so what I've described above? If I'm completely wrong just let me know - I'm just worried about carrying on until I know because if I make a mess I'll only find out once I've finished the whole thing!!

Later on in the pattern it also says:

Work in stocking stick as follows -
Inc 1 st at each end of 7th and every foll 6th row until there are (93) stitches

Really appreciate your help!

Thanks,

Nicky

[katknit]

My interpretation based on what's worked on similar instrux before :

Keep first 2 rows.

Start counting on next row, and after 4 more rows, work dec at beg and end. (this is row 5)

Keep going, and work dec on row 9. Keep working, do dec at row 13.

Good luck!

[nickyfraggle]

Ahh I see - so would I dec on rows 5, 9 and 13, and THEN continue for the next 9 rows in rib stitch?

I got confused thinking this was part of the first instruction in some way!! So I was trying to fit it all into the 9 rows it mentions to continue using rib for!

I think I get it now...basically keep decreasing ever however many rows it tells you until you get to the right number of stitches... in my case 79 :P Then carry on with the next bit...

Thanks so much for your help. I'm completely new to knitting and haven't got any guidance (my Dad is looking at me in complete puzzlement as to what on earth his daughter is up to now hehe!) so it's really helpful to have somewhere to ask questions...

Thanks for such a quick response...

I may get this finished before next year now :-)

Nicky xx

[suzeeq]

Ahh I see - so would I dec on rows 5, 9 and 13, and THEN continue for the next 9 rows in rib stitch?

Yep, this is right. You don't 'ignore' the first rows, just when you get to row 5, you dec.

[nickyfraggle]

Thanks for your help!!

You guys are great! x