Divide For Front and Back

I just finished round 50 of the body of my sweater. The sweater is complete to the underarm. 

The next step is to divide the stitches into two sets, one set for the front and one set for the back. The back and front will be knit separately from the underarm to the top. The directions in the pattern read:

Divide for Front and Back 

Work 78 sts across the back in established pattern until piece meas 24.5" [row 88].

There are two markers on your needle. On the last round, work to the marker that you put the safety pin on.

Knit the last stitch. Slip the marker.

The next 78 sts on your left needle point are the front sts. With the circular needle used for the rib, slip the sts to the next marker onto the rib needle. You are putting the front sts on a holder. Rather than trying to fit 78 sts onto a needle holder, use the smaller circular needle.

When you are slipping the stitches onto the holder, insert the needle point just like you were going to do a purl stitch and remove from the left needle.

Remove the markers and put them away. I always lose them in the couch!

The front stitches are now on the silver needle, the back stitches are on the black circular needle.

The next step is to work the back in the established pattern. The established pattern in this sweater is stockinette stitch. The right side presents as knit stitches and the wrong side as purl stitches. While we working in the round, we were able to produce stockinette stitch by knitting every stitch.

From this point on, we are going to be working across the row, turning and working across the row again. When the right side is facing, knit all the stitches, when the wrong side is facing, purl all the stitches.

Pick up the needle ends with the back stitches on it (my black needle). Be sure that the needle with the yarn attached is in your left hand. You will be working a wrong side row.

Purl across all the stitches.

When you get to the end of the row, turn. Knit the next row. Continue this manner until you finish 88  rows from the beginning of the body.

Once you have worked a few rows, you will hardly notice the front stitches that are on hold.

I

If you are having trouble keeping track of your rows, look at the right side of your work, the knit side.

Notice that each knit stitch has two sides and a space between. I find a line of knit sts, and then with a needle point, poke into the space of the first stitch. Row 1. I poke into the stitch above it in the line. Row 2. I continue in this manner until I reach the needle. I do not count the loop on the needle as a row.