Knitting newbie help!!!?

[chickie ツ]

KNITTING NEWBIE! HELP ME MAKE SENSE OF THIS PATTERN PLEASE! SIMPLIFY THE ABBREVIATIONS PLEASE!

Gauge: 3.5 sts/1 in.
Yarn: I love this yarn! ($1.99!!!) about 200 yards
(you could probably use any bulky weight yarn for a substitute)
Needles: size 10 US 16 in. circular, and set of size 10 US DPN
(Note: the yarn called for size 8, the larger gauged needles will make hat more slouchy!)
Size: One size fits most
CO 68 sts using the circular needles
1. Work 2 X 2 rib for 2.5"
2. Knit all stitches while increasing by 12 stitches evenly (80 sts)
3. Knit all stitches while increasing by 8 stitches evenly (88 sts)
4. *K1, P1*
5. Purl all stitches
6. Repeat rows 4 and 5 until piece measures 8" from CO.

Decreasing Crown (switch to DPNs when necessary)
7. *P9, P2G* (80 sts)
8. Purl all stitches
9. *P6, P2G* (70sts)
10. Purl all stitches
11. *P5, P2G* (60 sts)
12. *P4, P2G* (50 sts)
13. *P3, P2G* (40 sts)
14. *P2, P2g* (30 sts)
15. *P1, P2G* (20 sts)
16. *P2G* (10 sts)
17. *P2G* (5 sts)
18. cut yarn, thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight and weave in remaining yarn.
Note: pattern within ** should be repeated

This hat is reversable. The front side has a bumpy texture throughout body. The reverse side has a mock 1 X 1 rib.
*P9, P2G* (80 sts)

does that mean to purl 9 stitches then P2G once? does the P2G count as one or two stitches?

 

[Julie]

p 9 P2G means purl 9, then purl 2 together. the purl 2 together stitches dont count. for example:

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.*purl 2 together* [and repeat]

so, you would have made 10 stitches out of 11

 

[sian m]

The pattern writer has decided to use a larger needle than that suggested by the ball band to give a looser stitch. You need a circular needle and a set of double pointed pins of the same size as the circular. Cast on 68 stitches. Work the ribbing for 2 and a half inches.
Next row all knit and increase 12 stiches across the row.
Next row knit and increase 8 stiches. ( knit into the front of the stitch and then into the back of the loop before dropping it off the needle,)
You now have 88 stitches in all.
Next row knit 1 purl 1 all the way across.
Repeat rows 4 and 5 till the work measures 8 inches from the beginning.
G means together (usually written as tog.) so...
(row 7 - not really 7 but the number of rows you've knitted to get to 8 inches) purl 9 purl 2 together. Repeat across the row. (60 stitches)
Next row purl right across.
Decrease the number of stiches the pattern says every row then till you're down to 5 stitches.
You use the double pins when it gets a bit difficult with the circular needle - you'll know when!
Mark the beginning of the row with a stitch marker - a small safety pin or hair grip works fine.
Good luck
Sian