Can I reverse a pattern?

I don’t mean reverse the stitches in a row. I’m knitting a cardi from the bottom up with an overlapping leaf pattern. The pattern is a series of 12 rows. I was planning on picking up stitches around the armhole to knit the sleeves top down then realized my leaves will be going the opposite direction than the ones on the body. Can I just knit the rows backwards? Row 12 to row 1? Thanks for helping advance!

Interesting. I have never done it, But Im thinking the edges of the leaves might look slightly (very slightly) different. The “v” shape would be pointy end up on the one that if formed upside down. On the main body, the open part of the V would be up. But I think only Sherlock Holms - like people would actually notice it. You have me curious. I might try a little sample.

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Welcome to KnittingHelp!
What is the name of your pattern and designer?
Is it a lace pattern? Because of the yarn overs, lace pattern don’t reverse easily.
Here’s an example.

Give it a try over a swatch with a couple of repeats of the leaf motif.

I don’t have a pattern but the “overlapping leaves” stitch (not lace) is from a book “ Super Stitches Knitting” by Karen Hemingway. It’s a sort of stitch dictionary. https://a.co/d/0gVKjoyz . I will try a swatch and see how it looks. Let you know tomorrow! Haha!

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Oh, good no yarn overs but a pretty design. The stitch shape will differ as Fluffy Yarn said but it should work.

Lovely stitch pattern.
You knight also decide the leaves are nic going the opposite way, maybe lay the swatch next to the nidynof the sweater and see how you like it. It could have a feel of trailing ivy with the downwards movement.

UPDATE: knitting the rows backwards (row 12 to 1) didn’t work. Then I tried reversing the SKP and the K2tog but that didn’t help either. At this point I’m just going to wing it. I’ll see how many stitches I need to end up with around the finished shoulders and work increases as I knit the sleeve wrist to shoulder. Wish me luck!

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Keep us updated on the progress and maybe a photo when you finish. We love to see finished projects!

You might already know this, but I’ll mention just in case, there’s a knitting calculator for sleave increases if you need one.
You put in the starting stitch count (after initial straight section) and the ending stitch count (before a final straight section) and the number of rows ( length based on your gauge) and it will work out when to do the increases.
If you need info on how to shape a set in sleeve there is some online too.
Maybe you are able to just make it up as you go though, I wouldn’t be able to.
Here’s one of the calculator sites
https://www.worldknits.com/knitting-calculators

Scroll down a bit for the sleeve section.

I look forward to seeing this lovely cardigan , it’s such a nice stitch pattern.

Oh thank you!!! This is exactly what I need. I will definitely post a pick when I’m done. I’m currently frogging about 12 rows right now! Hahaha!

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