Pattern Explanation help please

[luvmykid28]

I am working on my 1st swearter. OTN is the back and I am to the "shape armholes". The sweater is knit in stockinette st. And the 1st arm shaping row is a knit row.

I will put the part that I don't understand in red. Here is what it says:

"Cast off 6 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. (103 sts)
Dec 1 st at the end of next 5 rows, then on following 4 alternate rows, then on the following 4th row. (83sts)

Work straight until armholes measures 20 cm, ending with WS row.

I have tried to understand and just can't get my mind around it...what I am interperting is that all the 4 alt rows are on the knit (RS) rows and that seems like the shoulders will be uneven. I have looked through the notes in the book and there is nothing to help me.

Thank you for any help.

[MerigoldinWA]

Since this is the back and, like you say you want both sides of the back to be the same, I think there is one important word missing in that set of directions.

Quote:

"Cast off 6 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. (103 sts) Dec 1 st at the end of next 5 rows, then on following 4 alternate rows, then on the following 4th row. (83sts)

I believe it needs to read "Dec 1 st at each end of the next 5 rows," etc. You will want the decreases on each end all the time. Another clue is that with the number of decrease rows given you would lose only 10 sts if you did the decs at only one end. 103-10=93, and they tell you you will have 83 at this point. Whereas 103-20 (2 per row)=83.

A hint (you may have heard): it is better to put the decreases 1 or 2 stitches in from each end rather than right at the end.

[luvmykid28]

I am working on my 1st swearter. OTN is the back and I am to the "shape armholes". The sweater is knit in stockinette st. And the 1st arm shaping row is a knit row.

I will put the part that I don't understand in red. Here is what it says:

"Cast off 6 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. (103 sts)
Dec 1 st at the end of next 5 rows, then on following 4 alternate rows, then on the following 4th row. (83sts)

Work straight until armholes measures 20 cm, ending with WS row.

I have tried to understand and just can't get my mind around it...what I am interperting is that all the 4 alt rows are on the knit (RS) rows and that seems like the shoulders will be uneven. I have looked through the notes in the book and there is nothing to help me.

Thank you for any help.

Since this is the back and, like you say you want both sides of the back to be the same, I think there is one important word missing in that set of directions.



I believe it needs to read "Dec 1 st at each end of the next 5 rows," etc. You will want the decreases on each end all the time. Another clue is that with the number of decrease rows given you would lose only 10 sts if you did the decs at only one end. 103-10=93, and they tell you you will have 83 at this point. Whereas 103-20 (2 per row)=83.

A hint (you may have heard): it is better to put the decreases 1 or 2 stitches in from each end rather than right at the end.

I did just figure that out , but what about the 4 alt rows? I don't undrstand what that means.

[MerigoldinWA]

I'm sorry I missed that part of your question when I answered.

Quote:

Dec 1 st at the end of next 5 rows, then on following 4 alternate rows, then on the following 4th row.

the "dec 1 st at the end of the next 5 rows" means to decrease at each end on each of the next 5 rows, so some will be on the wrong side of the work. "Then on following 4 alternate rows" means dec at each end every other row 4 times. "Then on the following 4th row" means to count 3 rows after the last dec and on the 4th row decrease at each end again. You only do that once.

So like this:

Row 1 (K): Bind off 6.
Row 2 (P): Bind off 6.
Row 3 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 4 (P): Dec 1 each end.
Row 5 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 6 (P): Dec 1 each end.
Row 7 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 8 (P)
Row 9 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 10 (P)
Row 11 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 12 (P)
Row 13 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 14 (P)
Row 15 (K): Dec 1 each end.
Row 16 (P)
Row 17 (K)
Row 18 (P)
Row 19 (K) Dec 1 each end.

[luvmykid28]

Thank you so very much I was just over thinking that entire thing and couldn't get my mind around it. I understand, your explanation is very clear. Now I can get back to my sweater.
Cheers!!

[MerigoldinWA]

Glad to help!

[suzeeq]

Alt means alternating, or every other row. So to dec on the 'following 4 alternate rows' means dec every other row 4 times.