What “rep from * 3 more times” actually means

It’s the line almost everyone gets wrong at least once. The rule is short: as written, plus 3 more.

Read it like this

Everything between the asterisks is one repeat. Work it once as written, then 3 more times: that’s 4 repeats in total.

“Repeat 3 times” vs “3 more times”

“Rep from * 3 more times” = 4 in total. “Work [ ] 3 times” or “(…) 3 times” usually means exactly 3 in total. When a pattern gives a stitch count at the end of the row, use it to check which one the designer meant.

Repeats inside repeats

Some patterns nest them: *sc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st*. Work what’s inside the brackets into one stitch, and repeat the whole asterisk section as told.

“Rep from * to end”

Keep repeating until you run out of stitches. If you have leftovers, count your previous row: a missed stitch usually shows up here.