What does preliminary work mean?

What does "work even" mean in this knitting pattern?

• This is the section for a thumb gusset of a hand worked in a round. This is unlike any pattern I have followed yet and I only understand up to the 2nd row, and then I'm lost. What does it mean to work even, with all sts as they appear? And what is that last blurb saying about the 3rd round another 3 times? Please help. Here is the pattern: Round 1: k1, pm, k to last st, pm, k1 Round 2 (increase round): k1, m1, sl m, k to last 2 sts, sl m, m1, k1 Round 3: work even, working on sts as they appear Round 4: As round 3 Round 5 (increase round): k1, m1, k1, sl m, k to last 2 sts, sl m, k1, m1, k1 Round 6: work even, working on sts as they appear Round 7: As round 6 Continue in this manner, working the increase round every 3rd round another 3 times, then every 4th round another 3 times. 18 sts rem between two markers. Work 2 rounds even.

• Answer:

  Here is a round-by-round explanation: Round 1: k1, pm, k to last st, pm, k1 - Knit 1 stitch and place a marker. The marker will indicate where increases for the thumb gusset will happen. Knit to the last stitch and place a marker for the other location for an increase. Knit 1 to finish the round. Round 2 (increase round): k1, m1, sl m, k to last 2 sts, sl m, m1, k1 - You will use those markers to start the increases for the thumb gusset. Knit 1, make 1 (http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/make-1-left-continental ), slip the marker, knit to the last 2 stitches, slip the marker, make 1, knit 1. Notice that you increase using the "make 1" technique before the first marker and after the second one. Round 3: work even, working on sts as they appear - Work even means "do not increase" in this round. Working the stitches as they appear usually means to knit the stitches that appear as knit stitches and purl the stitches that appear as purl stitches. Round 4: As round 3 - Repeat Round 3. Round 5 (increase round): k1, m1, k1, sl m, k to last 2 sts, sl m, k1, m1, k1 - In this increase round, knit 1, make 1, knit 1, slip the marker, knit to the last 2 stitches, slip the marker, knit 1, make 1, knit 1. Round 6: work even, working on sts as they appear - Again, no increases on this round; knit the knits and purl the purls. Round 7: As round 6 - Same as round 6. Continue in this manner, working the increase round every 3rd round another 3 times, then every 4th round another 3 times. 18 sts rem between two markers. Work 2 rounds even. - You will increase on Round 8, Round 11, Round 14, Round 18, Round 22, and Round 26, after which you will have 18 stitches between the 2 markers. You will work even, knitting the knits and purling the purls on Rounds 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, and 28. It appears that you will make the increases (M1) immediately after the first stitch of the round and immediately before the last stitch of the round.