Child's Winter Helmet Pattern

by Linda
(Canada)

Starting with 70sts I've completed the ribbing, put 10 stitches each on two holders. Working on centre 50 stitches I've knitted 9" in a stocking stitch as per pattern.

Next is .... 'short row head shaping'.

1st row: K34,Sl 1,K1,psso. Turn
2nd row: P19,P2tog. Turn
3rd row: K19, Sl 1, psso. Turn
Repeat row 2 and 3 until all 20 sts are on one needle, ending with 2nd row.

My question is .... I'm working with 50 stitches.

What happens to the stitches left on the needle after the first row, etc? Do I K or P to the end of the row? I'm stumped!

YOUR ANSWER

The stitches left on the needle after each row are just left on the needle until you have finished your decrease rows.

In the first shaping row, you knit 34 stitches, do the decrease (Sl 1,K1,psso) and then physically turn your knitting so that it is facing the other way. You should have 14 stitches still on the right hand needle and 35 stitches on the left hand needle.

Knit 19 stitches from that point and then purl 2 together. Again you physically turn your knitting so that it is facing the other way. You should have 13 stitches on the left hand needle.

When you do the next row, you knit 19, slip the last stitch that you knitted on the previous row onto the right hand needle, knit the first stitch still on the left hand needle and pass the slipped stitch over.

As you continue knitting each row, the stitches left at each end will decrease by one for each row, until you get to the point where you use all the remaining stitches on both needles to complete the row.

It sounds more complicated than it is. I suggest that you just give it a go, and if you have any problems call back in and post a comment on this page with any questions you have.

Hope this helps...