Expert: Ed Matos - 3/1/2008

Question
Hi, I'm a newbie crocheter and I would like help in understanding this beanie pattern that I would like to work on.

These are the instructions:

1 rnd: Ch 1. 6 sc in ring. Join with sl st to first sc.
2nd rnd: ch 1. 2 sc in each sc around. join with sl st to first sc. 12 sc
3rd rnd: ch 1. (2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in next sc) 6 times. join with sl st to first sc. 18 sc
4th rnd:  ch 1.  (2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc) 6 times. join with sl st to first sc. 24 sc
5th rnd: ch 1. (2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc) 6 times. join with sl st to first sc. 30 sc

inc 6 sts on every row, as before to 48 (54-60) sts, then every following alt row to 60 (66-72) sts.

work 9 (10-12)rows even.

next rnd: working from left to right instead of right to left as usual, work 1 reverse sc in each sc around. join with sl st to first sc. fasten off.

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my questions are:

1. Does "ch 1" at the beginning of every round count as 1 sc?

2. I don't understand what is meant by these instruction --- "inc 6 sts on every row, as before to 48 (54-60) sts, then every following alt row to 60 (66-72) sts.

work 9 (10-12)rows even."

I know that it's saying to increase the succeeding rounds by 6 stitches but the numbers in the parentheses are throwing me off. What do those numbers mean?

3. What is a reverse sc?

Answer
Hello Jen:

1 - When a chain is considered as a stitch, it will state so. In this case its not (you have 6sc on rnd 1 and then you have 12sc on rnd 2, this will also give you a tip if it counts or not)

2 - just like you did on rnd 4 and 5 - so take rnd 5 and add one more to the part "(2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next ""this is where you increase by one at each row"" sc - at the end of row (48 - 54 - 60 (this will depend on what size you choose) this tell you when you reach that many stitches at that row you are done, then every following alt row till the stitch count come to what size you choose... then you do even 0 no increase

3 - This one is hard to explain, but I have included a link that I think will help you.

http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/stitches-reverse_sc.htm

I do hope I was able to answer your question. Please let me know if there is anything at all I can help you with.

Have a great day and happy hooking

Ed