Cast off at beginning of row for arm hole (in pattern?)

First sweater.
Mistake rib (off-set rows of 2x2)

  1. Shaping the raglans (back). The pattern does not specify to cast off the arm-hole stitches “in pattern,” for these stitches, or for the sleeve shoulder edges. It does specify to cast off in pattern for the final neck cast off. Should I do it anyway? I realize it probably doesn’t matter a whole lot in a seam.

  2. I’ve watched a few videos on casting off in pattern, and some knitters cast off every stitch with the yarn in back. Why is this? What happens if you don’t? Is it aesthetic? If you are casting off on both the right and wrong side, would you ever cast off every stitch with the yarn in front?

Thanks for your expertise!

What is the name and pattern designer please?
This is more a case of personal preference.
As you say, if it’s going to be part of a seam, it probably doesn’t matter. If you would like to cast off for the underarm in pattern that should be fine. If there are sleeves to be attached or if there are are sts to be picked up from the underarm for the sleeves it may be easier to have the cast off in knit stitch. (Patterns with stitches like cables or other bulky sts have you omit the cable at the cast off row so that’s an exception.)
In general it doesn’t matter if the yarn is held to the front or back after the stitch is made. You can bring to the front after a knit stitch, cast off then work the next stitch as purl or you can leave at the back after the knit, cast off then bring to the front to purl the next stitch for example.
The only time I cast off with the yarn consistently to the front is a cast off in purl, which I’m doing right now on a baby hat.

Thank you. It’s a free pattern https://www.yarnspirations.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-catalog-spinrite/default/dwda840c07/PDF/BRK0129-008596M.pdf
If you look at my other questions, I’ve been asking about this sweater (procrastinating over it) for 4 years now!

It’s been waiting for you all this time! Good that you’re getting to it and finishing up. It’s going to be lovely. Please let us see a photo when you finish.
Thank you for the pattern link.

I’ve made a few sweaters so I have seamed a few times now. I find it much easier to seam sleeves or sides if there are all knit stitches rather than a mixture of knits and purls. For me it makes it significantly easier to to seam and I’d recommend it.
The cast off for neck I like in pattern as it tends to give a bit more stretch which is needed whereas if I do a knit bind off on the neck edge it makes it tighter and lack stretch.

This pattern looks so soft and snugly.

I’ve reached length and am about to begin the armholes. I realize now the pattern did actually specify, “Keeping cont of pat, cast off…” I assume this means for both the first few cast off stitches and then the rest of the row, too. I think I was going to cast off in pattern anyway.

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