deciphering sweater instructions

[amyo]

Hi Everyone,

I am knitting my first sweater and am stuck at the following instructions (making the left front panel of a cardigan sweater):

..."k to last 5 sts, M1 (collar inc), k5.

I understand I increase one stitch before the last 5 stitches, but wouldn't that make 6 stitches to knit to the end?

It then goes on...

"Cont to shape armhole as foll: dec 1 st at armhole edge on next row, then every other row 1 time more. AT THE SAME TIME, inc 1 st (M1) 5 sts from collar edge every 4th row 5 times more, then every 6th row twice

I'm reading this to mean that I should decrease 1 stitch at armhole edge on the next row, then knit a row, then decrease 1 stitch on the next row. I don't understand when I need to increase a stitch...is it on the first decrease, and every subsequent row? And I have absolutely no idea what is meant by the bold, underscored parts: "every 4th row 5 times more"...does that mean I only increase 1 stitch 5 stitches from the collar edge EVERY 4TH ROW, 16TH ROW, 20TH ROW, ETC.??

Any help anyone can offer is greatly appreciated.

[gotta knit]

When you increase 1 st before the last 5 sts, you make that stitch then you have 5 more sts to knit (don’t count the one you just made).

Start counting rows after the original "k to last 5 sts, M1 (collar inc), k5.

You're decreasing every other row at the other edge of your work (armhole), on rows 1, 3, 5, ....

At the same time, you're working on your collar edge, which you started shaping with that original increase. Continue to increase every 4th row 5 times more, so increase on rows 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20.
Then every 6th row twice, so rows 26 and 32.

[amyo]

You are an angel, thank you so much!

When you increase 1 st before the last 5 sts, you make that stitch then you have 5 more sts to knit (don’t count the one you just made).

Start counting rows after the original "k to last 5 sts, M1 (collar inc), k5.

You're decreasing every other row at the other edge of your work (armhole), on rows 1, 3, 5, ....

At the same time, you're working on your collar edge, which you started shaping with that original increase. Continue to increase every 4th row 5 times more, so increase on rows 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20.
Then every 6th row twice, so rows 26 and 32.

[gotta knit]

"Cont to shape armhole as foll: dec 1 st at armhole edge on next row, then every other row 1 time more. AT THE SAME TIME, inc 1 st (M1) 5 sts from collar edge every 4th row 5 times more, then every 6th row twice

I just realized something.
For the armhole shaping, it says to dec on next row, then every other row1 time more.
That means you should only have decreased on the armhole edge TWICE, on rows 1 & 3.
I hope you caught this, I'm so sorry I misread it this morning!

[amyo]

Yep, I got that...And I am still so grateful for your help...I was completely stumped on the increasing...You're a life save!

I just realized something.
For the armhole shaping, it says to dec on next row, then every other row1 time more.
That means you should only have decreased on the armhole edge TWICE, on rows 1 & 3.
I hope you caught this, I'm so sorry I misread it this morning!