Expert: Marla - 10/8/2011

Question
Can you help me interpret these directions?  Working all increases as set by last row, Inc 3sts (1pat rep) at each end of 4th (6th: 6th) and 2 (1:2) foll 4th (6th:6th) rows, then on one (2:2) foll 5th (7th:7th) rows. 65(68:77) sts.   Cont straight until sleeve measures 71/2(10:111/2) in (19(25:29) cm). Fasten off.

Answer
Hi Phyllis!
Thanks for asking. Yes, this is confusing. First of all, this pattern is for 3 different sizes, possibly small, medium and large Is this for a sweater? For example, in the first part you wrote where is says "Inc 3 st (1 pat rep) at each end of 4th (6th: 6th)" ,for the small size, you would refer to  the first number befoere the (), or "4th"; then for the medium size you would refer to the 6th, or the first number inside the (), and for the largest size, you would refer to the "6th" or the last number in the (). Maybe you already know this part and isn't what you need.  What I really need is the pattern for the first few rows to get a better understanding of the later rows. If you let me know where you got these instructions, or at least give me the instructions for the rows previous to the one you gave me, I could look at the whole pattern and give you a better explanation of what is going on. Please let me know!

Marla