Total beginner - please can I ask for pattern translation?

[JuanPotatoTwo]

Trying to knit a tank top for a baby. The first row is k2, p2 to the end. The second row is p2, k2 to the end. Pattern says "these two rows will now be referred to as 2x2 rib. Work three more rows in 2x2 rib".

Does that mean knit three rows in total or six?

And next step says "decrease two stitches evenly across the row". So one at the beginning and one at the end?

I'm sorry for asking what must be the most basic of basic questions - lady in shop assured me a beginner could attempt this but I fear her confidence may have been misplaced :). Thank you very much in advance.

It means six rows in total, five rows of 2x2 and then one more of 2x2 with the decreases to bring you to the right number of stitches for the main pattern anbd starting on a right side (uneven numbered) row.

I would do the decreases at 1/4 and 3/4 of the way across the row as it is less noticeable. Doing them at each end will pull the work in a bit at the edges.

i would make that 3 more rows (so 5 in total when finished). if they had said 'work three more repeats' i would expect 6 more rows iyswim

the second instruction isn't quite clear to me. one at the beginning and one at the end is usual.

are you able to link to the pattern on ravelry, or give the name and brand of the pattern? it might be clearer to see the finished item

what lackadaisycal said about the decreases! that makes sense to me

Oh thank you - didn't expect such speedy replies :)

Oh pattern is Sirdar 1784 - am such a beginner don't even know if that's the info you need! Oh wait: Any use?

very cute. have you done cables before? I wouldn't say it was a total beginner pattern. That wouold be a plain knit thing imo. But lots of videos on YouTube for pretty much any knitting technique

And, if you get really stuck, if you take it to the shop, I'm sure the lady who sold you the pattern would be glad to help.

It's sweet isn't it? But I very much doubt my efforts will resemble that pic :)

I'm beginning to think lady in shop misheard me when I said I was total beginner. After following your advice earlier I turned to pattern to see what was next. Some double dutch referred to as C4B was what was next apparently :) Had absol no idea what it meant but have since watched some YouTube vids and can go to sleep slightly more knowledgeable than I was when I woke up this morning.

cable isn't that hard, but you need a cable pin. Just take your time and ask if there's anything else. Feel free to PM me as well if there's anything your stuck with

that's a lovely pattern, but yes it's not a simple one. you'll definitely be a dab hand with cables at the end of it! once you get the hang of cables (and as you say youtube is great for this sort of thing) they are fairly easy to do but look really complex and effective

if you're interested, this is the ravelry page for the pattern - under the 'projects' tab you can see what other people have done with the pattern. i sometimes find this useful especially if they have done close-up pictures of certain sections, so that i can see what it should look like if the pattern isn't entirely clear

Oh thank you both so much, you're very kind :) Will report back on my progress - or lack of :)

This thing will be the end of me - how the woman thought it suitable for beginners is beyond me! I've started it about a million times - but I'm determined to finish it :)

Please can I ask for more translation? So you have to work 14 rows of the pattern until the back measures 17cm which I've done.

Next it says to decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next 6 rows until I have 56 stitches. So the 6 rows - do I do these rows carrying on where I left off in the 14 rows?

I don't understand this next bit at all :(

"Cont without shaping until armholes measure 10 [11:12:13:14:15]cm, (4[41/4:43/4:51/4:51/2:6]in), ending with a ws row.

Please can someone translate before I chuck myself out the window. Or chuck someone else out for example YOU lady in shop Thank you lots.

Unless the pattern changes from the armholes (ie it would say continue in stocking stitch for example) the you would start decreasing with the next row in the pattern. So if the last row you worked was row 14 then you would start decreasing with row 1, then work row 2, etc, etc until you have finished decreasing.

Then you would continue with your next row and work on without any more shaping until your work is however many cms appropriate for the size you are making. I fold my work across at the first decreasing row to measure. Alternatively you can add the required armhole depth to the measurement before shaping. For example if your pattern says that the work should be 17cm before armhole shaping and your armhole should be 10cm then measure the total work. When it reaches 27cm move on to the next part of the pattern (shoulder shaping?)

yes, so if your last row before reaching 17cms was, e.g. row 6, you carry on from row 7 and decrease every row until row 13.

So 12 stitches decreased to take you from 68 to 56 stitches. You then work backwards on forwards, keeping the pattern in line, on these 56 stitches (So, in effect your new start point for the row will be 6 stitches in) until the armhole measures however many centimetres it is for your size.

Then you will be back for the shoulder and neck shaping

I hope we are making sense! But, if you have a friend, relative or neighbour who knits, it's much better to have descriptions on the flesh as it were!

Thank you both, understand now. You should take up pattern translation! It seems so obvious now you've explained. Very grateful.

No problem...see you at the shoulders

Many a true word spoken in jest Daisy ... :)

Just had a look through the finished projects thread - wow, there are some talented people here!

Make sure you post a pic too. It's a thread to be proud of our achievements no matter how long we have been crafting.