I don't understand a pattern

#1

I’m trying to knit a sweater from “Donegal Tweed” by Debbie Bliss.
The pattern begins like this:
Cast on 73 sts
Begin with a knit row and work 4 rows in stockinette stitch.
So, I did the following:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Pearl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Pearl
Then there is a decrease row:
K4, skpo, knit to last 6 sts, K2tog, K4
Here’s where I’m stuck. It says "work 3 rows."
What do I do? Stockinette stitch (knit a row, pearl a row, knit a row) or do I knit all three rows?
Help would be greatly appreciated.

#2

Without seeing the pattern, Im taking a wild guess here…

I would assume it means to work stockinette for 3 rows unless otherwise indicated in the pattern.

What is the next instruction?

#3

The next instruction is to work the last four rows 5 times.
I think you’re right. The pattern is essentially stockinette. So, I think “work three rows” means:

Pearl across
Knit across
Pearl across

I believe I should start with a pearl row because the row before it (the decrease row) was a knit row.
Does that sound right?

#4

When you ‘work’ rows, you continue in the stitch pattern which is stockinette for this one.

#5

Hi Sue,
Yes, I do believe I’d continue with stockinette. However, do I knit a row, pearl a row, knit a row…or pearl, knit, pearl?
I did knit, pearl, knit and it didn’t look right. That’s what caused me to post this thread.
I think I should continue with pearl, knit, pearl since the decrease row was a knit row.
Does that sound right?
Karen

#6

Since you did the dec row on the knit side, the next one will be a purl row.

#7

Thank you!