Crocheting help please!

So, I'm ending a WS row with 16 Sts. Then, the next row it wants the pattern worked 3 times (pattern is SC, DC) then sc2tog 9 times, leaving the rest unworked....um, maybe I'm not reading it right, because the pattern worked 3 times is 6. Sc2tog 9 times is 18...6+18=24, but I only have 16 to work with! How is that supposed to even work?

I might be wrong but you may need to work the stiches in the same chain

Any way that you could scan and post the instructions?
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I won't type the whole thing out, but the pattern is the "Angel in the Snow Hoodie" from Sweet Baby Crochet by Sandy Scoville and Denise Black

Here's the section I'm working on, word for word... (The pattern stitch is SC in next dc, dc in next sc)

With A, ch 21.

ROW 1(RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across-20 sts. Turn.

ROW 2: Ch1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, work in patt st across. Turn.

Rep row 2 until piece measures 6", ending with WS row.

Shaping Armhole
ROW 1(RS): Sl st in first 5sts, ch 1, sc in same dc as last sl st, dc in next sc, work patt st across-16sts. Turn

ROW 2: Ch 1, sc in same dc, dc in next sc, work patt st across. Turn

Rep row 2 until armhole measures 2 1/2" ending with WS row


Here's where I am confused. The above leaves me with 16 stitches. Then it wants me to do this...

Shape Left-front Neck and Shoulder
ROW 1(RS): Ch 1, sc in same dc, dc in next sc, work patt st 3 times, sc2tog-9sts. Turn, leaving rem sts unworked. (So, work the pattern 3 times=6 stitches...stitch 2 together for 9 stitches requires 18 stitches to stitch together...right?)

ROW 2: Ch 2, work patt st across. Turn

ROW 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in nect sc, work patt st to beg ch-8 sts. Turn leaving beg ch2 un worked.

ROW 4: Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, work patt st across. Turn.

Rep row 4 until armhole measures 4" ending with RS row. Fasten off.

It's hard for me to tell without having it in my hands, lol... But from what I can see, I think you should have 20 stitches....

The first chain starts you off on 21, and you skip one chain, which brings you to 20. And then you are decreasing for your armhole.... Ok... I got it! LOL... yes your right. IT SHOULD BE 18 stitches! Where did you get the pattern? If it's an online one that someone created, You may be one of those lucky people that found an error in the instructions!

My advise is to leave a marker at this point and leave a mark on your instructions. Just go ahead and work it anyway and see how it works. If it doesnt. You may need to modify it. OR you can ask the creator, they usually help and correct any mistakes!

IF it is not and it's a pattern from something like a pattern book. It's still a mistake. If's my brain is working right anyway.... And my advise is to go ahead and work it. Depending on your skill level you may be able to fix it no problem. Just trust your knowledge, lol... You seem to have it. That's all I can tell you dear. I'm sorry.

Thanks for taking a look at it. I have a lady or two I will ask here...I was just trying to figure it out on my own! (Well, with HF help ) It surely is in a book. Sigh, ok, I will get it. If anybody else has anything to add, please do!

I have had to fix them from books before. I am not too shabby! :) lol... but it's hard to figure it out, without seeing it. My brain doesnt work that well, lol... I'm usually on here late at night, running on fumes!

Um... this is why I prefer diagram crochet.

Diagram crochet...never heard of it!

Hmm, maybe it wants me to work it until there are 9 stitches total for the next row. I will give it a shot. Can always rip it out and try again.

Each stich has a little symbol, and the symbols are printed in a chart or blueprint form. Here is an example of a granny square.





(sorry about the size)
The little "o" is a chain, the solid "o" is a slip stitch, and the "T" with a dash in it is a double crochet.
(Although I generally turn my work when making motifs instead of slip stitching up to the next starting point)

I find it much easier to follow because you always know where to put the hook and and how. Greatly reduces the need to count or the chances of getting lost. At least for me it does since I tend to do odd (detailed flowers) unusual (large motif shawls) and non-repeating patterns.