Let's take a closer look at row 1 of the One Ball Shawl. You should have cast on 23 stitches. The directions for row 1 begin at the bottom of the first column after the instructions to cast on and finishing 6 rows of garter stitch. (be careful not to confuse the beginning of the scarf with the beginning of the pattern stitch). Row 1: K4, yo, place marker, >>> 4 stitches consumed, 5 created work Row 1 of Lace stitch over next 15 sts, >> at this point in the shawl, you will only do the pattern once without repeating it K1, yo, k5, yo, sk2p, yo, k5, yo; repeat from * to last st, k1. >> since your 2 yo balance the 2 stitches decreased in the sk2p 15 stitches are both consumed and created place marker, yo, k4 – >>> 4 stitches consumed, 5 created You should have started with 23 stitches and end up with 25. We hope this helps you better understand how this works.