Is this what you would do?

#1

I’m making this pattern, and I just want to double-check if what I think is right.

When it’s time to decrease for the armholes, I have to continue the smocking pattern, which is

Smock Pattern (multiple of 4 sts plus 2)
Row 1 (RS): K1, *k1, p2, k1; repeat from * across, end with k1.
Row 2 (WS): P1, *p1, k2, p1; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Row 3 (RS): K1, *TL, TR; repeat from * across, end with k1.
Row 4: P1, *k1, p2, k1; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Row 5: K1, p1, *TR, p2; repeat from * across, end with TR, p1, k1.
Row 6: P1, *k1, p2, k1; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Row 7: K1, *TR, TL; repeat from * across, end with p1.
Rows 8, 10, 12 and 14: *P2, k2; repeat from * across, end with p2.
Row 9, 11 and 13: *K2, p2; repeat from * across, end with k2.

I have to bind-off 4 sts at the beginning of 2 rows, so I was thinking I leave the initial K1 (or P1) and then bind-off 4 sts of a pattern repeat. Is that right?

#2

No, for the underarm, the first stitch has to be bound off, you can’t just leave it. So BO 4 and then pick up the pattern on the 5th st of whatever row you’re on. If it’s a row with the Twists, then just do them in stockinette - k on RS, p on WS.

#3

Ugh, as soon as I read your answer, I figured out how silly it was. I can’t leave one then bind off 4 :doh:. I had it stuck in my head that it was decreases, not binding off, even though I corrected my original post.

So, if I understand correctly, if it’s a twist I do the remaining sts of that repeat in st st, then re-start the next row (after all the binding off) with a k1 (or p1) and go from there.

#4

Well, if there’s a twist in any of those 1st 4 sts, you just wouldn’t do it, but you could do the next twist. If there’s a half twist involved, just knit the 2nd st of the twist and go on to the next st. You have to BO over 2 rows, so the WS row would also begin with the 5th st, but that’s mostly alternating purls and knits. Actually the 5th st is part of the BO in that you have to work it in order to bind off the 4th st, so you’d want to do it however it should be done unless it’s part of a twist.