Expert: Marilyn Jane Rimmer - 9/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Marilyn,

I have a problem understanding two of the instructions on my pattern. Afghan is worked lengthwise. I guess I need to give you the rows so you know what I am talking about.

With white, ch 198 loosely.

ROW 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as a dc) and in each rem ch: 196 dc; ch 3 (counts as first dc on following rows, turn.

ROW 2: dc in each dc, changing to rose in last dc; ch 3, turn.

ROW 3: dc in next 3 dc. *ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next 4 dc; rep from * 31 times more, changing to blue in last dc, ch 5 (counts as a dc and a ch-2 sp on following rows, turn.

ROW 4: sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc in 2nd row below; on working row, dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * 31 times more; sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, changing to white, ch 3, turn.

What is confusing me is starting in row 3. From row 2 ending, ch 3 then going to row 3, dc in next 3 dc, I don't get. Where does my hook go into at the beginning of row 3?

On row 4, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in the next 2 dc in 2nd row below.  Going into the 2nd row below do I count the row I am on or do I count another 2 rows down from what I am at?

The pattern is called, " Timeles Elegance" from Afghans Beautiful, an American School of Needlework book. On page 14.

I have never done anythng like this before.  This is why it is very confusing to me on those steps.

Thank You,
Debbie

ANSWER: Hi Debbie,
Thanks for including the rows, that makes it quicker for me to get right to the answer.  I'll put your answer in quotation marks, and my answer right after that.

"What is confusing me is starting in row 3. From row 2 ending, ch 3 then going to row 3, dc in next 3 dc, I don't get. Where does my hook go into at the beginning of row 3?"
The ch 3 at the end of row 2 is called a "turning chain".  That brings your yarn up to the level of the next working row.  It is usually counted as the first stitch of the row, and so you'd skip the first stitch, which is right under the turning chain.  We can verify that in this pattern, look at the end of row 1: 'ch 3 (counts as first dc on following rows, turn.'  So, at the end of row 2 you did a chain 3 (turning chain), then you turned the work.  That counts as the first dc on row 3.  Next, row 3 says 3 dc in next 3 dc, so you've worked in the first stitch (turning chain), so you will put a dc in stitch #2, 3, 4.


"On row 4, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in the next 2 dc in 2nd row below.  Going into the 2nd row below do I count the row I am on or do I count another 2 rows down from what I am at?"
You do not count the row that you're working.  My interpretation of '2nd row below' would be skip row 3 and work into row 2.  Which confused me for a second, and I went back to read row 2 and 3.  Notice in row 3 where you did a chain 2, skip 2?  You're going to be making these '2 dc in the next 2dc in 2nd row below' into those 2 dcs that you skipped.
Then back up to row 4, don't forget to skip the 2 dcs that are directly behind the 2 that you did down into row 2.  Then dc in the next dc.

Hope that clears things up.  As you're working, if you have more questions, or need more clarification, please write again.






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh boy!  I am back.

I do understand your instructions. I forgot to ask one more. Where Row 4 starts out with sk next 2 dc.

Ending up with row 3, ch 5. Going into row 4, do I still count using the ch 5? That takes the place of counting it as a dc and a 2-sp.

Sk next dc, dc in next dc. If I try to explain and say what is in my head, we will both be confused! What do I do with this first part of row 4?

Thank You,
Debbie

Answer
end of row 3:  "ch 5 (counts as a dc and a ch-2 sp on following rows, turn."

ROW 4: sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc in 2nd row below; on working row, dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * 31 times more; sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, changing to white, ch 3, turn.

Row 4:  The first 3 chains of the chain 5 count as your first double, so you skip the first stitch.  Then the next 2 chains of the chain 5 are in place of the next two stitches, which you are going to skip.  Then, dc into the 4th dc.  Then you will be doing the next 2 dc into the skipped stitches two rows below.  When you get to this point, and turn it will make more sense than trying to envision it.