Knitters - Is this a mistake or am I . . .

[zisforzebra]

being stupid?!

It's a 4ply pattern says to do the following tension square

28st and 36 rows to 10cms on 4mm needles but the main body is knitted on 3.25mm.

The number of cast on stitches for the back is 144 which works out at 28 per 10cms but if I've done the tension to work on 4mm needles, won't it come out too small if I then proceed using 3.25mms?

I'm having difficulty getting my head round how it would work. Am I being a bit thick or is there a mistake in the tension square instructions?

Sorry if it's not terribly clear, I'm really tired!

it does sound odd. does the pattern give a finished width of the back piece, as opposed to the made-up thing?

It's Sirdar number 8980. I didn't think to check Ravelry actually, I'll go and do that now. The back piece is 51.5cms wide finished.

Nope, not on Ravelry. I did google to see if anyone else had mentioned it on a blog or anything but nothing came up. I could email Sirdar but I've heard they are very slow to come back to you and I really need to get started on it as I'm knitting it to wear to a wedding (leaving everything to the last minute as usual!)

Should I just go ahead and knit the tension square with 3.25mms and go from there?

the pattern doesn't add any further stitches after the initial cast on?

I'm sure it's a mistake. 28sts to 10cm on 3.25mm needles is absolutely spot on for 4 ply yarn. I'd do your stocking stitch tension square on the same needles as the main section.

Do your tension square on 3.25 needles. If that comes out as 10x10 cm I would go with the pattern as it is.
If not I would adjust the needle size.
Does 51.5 cm for the back sound alright?
Have you measured another garment that fits you?
I think doing a tesion square on needles you are not going to use has to be a mistake.

Thanks everyone! I was really tired last night and couldn't decide if it was the pattern or me!

DutchOma - It sounds okay. I'm a 16-18 and it will come out at 40" which will give me a bit of space without it being too baggy.