Lace Pattern?

I am at the decreasing stage in my sweater. My lace pattern is in blocks of nine stitches. When I come to a section where there have been decreases, and not 9 sts., how do I know what part of the pattern to knit first??? I kinda fumbled thru the first row, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. There are 4 different rows to the pattern, and in between each row there is a purl row.
Thanks!!!
Lori

You kind of have to count back from where the next repeat starts to know where to start after the decrease.

If you’re working from a chart, you can mark the chart to show where you decreased, or if you’re working from a written pattern, copy the directions and cross off the stitches you eliminated.

If the first stitch after some of the decreases should be a yo, just eliminate it and count that as your decrease.

Thanks Ingrid. I am doing it that way, glad to know it is right!!!
Lori