Hi. Wondered if someone can help. I’ve started this baby tunic and completed 14 rows. All good so far lol. It has a 4 row repeat pattern cables and a lace design- with the cable pattern row 3 of the repeat. However, a few rows on it’s telling me to now cable every row- can this be correct? I emailed the Sirdar help line to confirm what the patt6 and Patt2 meant and ask about the cable repeating every row, but they didn’t answer my question. I really want to master this pattern, but I’m beginning to feel it’s going to beat me. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Hello
I can’t see the 4 row repeat pattern but you’ve obviously worked this out from the rows given.
Patt 2 and patt 6 means pattern 2 sts, pattern 6 sts. This means maintaining the pattern, as previously set, for the given number of stitches. Generally you’ll be keeping the lace and cables aligned whilst also shaping the dress.
The cable won’t suddenly change to every row, what line in the instruction is leading you to think this?
No need to feel like the pattern will beat you, we’ll help, you’ll manage it.
Hi. Thanks for your reply. It’s on the instructions for the back, after row 14, where it says next row. When I contacted Sirdar, they said the Patt 6 was the cable and it’s saying to patt6 every row. It’s the middle column of the pattern towards the bottom of the page. It has 4 ‘next rows’ one after the other, that say to Patt6.
Patt 6 refers to pattern 6 stitches. The reply from sirdar I would interpret that they mean it is the column of cable pattern, not to make a cable cross every row.
I can see a cable cross on row 11, it has 6 sts, P2, C4B, this is 6 sts. On row 13 the same 6 sts are worked as P2 K4.
You’ve said the repeat is every 4 rows, I can’t see row 7 to see if there is a cable cross there, that would be 4 rows prior to row 11 which I can see.
The pattern in those 6 sts will be cable cross, then wrong side, then p2 k4, then wrong side, then the next cable cross p2 cb4. Does that make sense? After row 11, if the cross is every 4 rows then it will be rows 15, 19, 23 and so on you’ll need to track these row numbers to maintain the pattern.
The reason they give instruction as ‘next row’ and don’t tell you to cable cross or work as p2 k4 is that for different sizes a different number of rows will have been worked, this way they reduce the pattern to fewer pages by giving reduced instructions.
I’ve completed up to row 14, then I have to pattern another 4 rows, which I’m ok with. Then this is the next instructions that are confusing me, as it’s saying to patt6, Patt2 and Patt6 every row.
Yes. Just work the next rows almost the same way you did for the previous ‘work 4 rows in patt as set’.
That’s all it is really, it’s just that there is some shaping in the dress and you might be doing some increases or decreases but you will keep the cable pattern aligned, the patt 6 means work these 6 sts as set in the pattern, work them the same as before. If it was a cable cross every 4 rows then cross on whichever row is your 4th row. Not every row.
I had a quick Google and whilst AI isn’t always accurate,I did find the below.
AI Overview
(a baby girl’s tunic featuring cable columns and stocking stitch) has received user complaints regarding confusing, poorly written, or potentially incorrect instructions. Experienced knitters have reported issues with the pattern flow, particularly regarding the cable, stitch count, and shaping, making it frustrating to follow.
Key issues reported with Sirdar 5295 include:
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Confusing Instructions: Users have described the pattern as “very complicated” or “poorly written”.
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Stitch Count/Pattern Discrepancies: There are reports that the row counts and cable stitches do not align correctly, especially when managing cable, stockinette, and shaping simultaneously.
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Error Potential: Some users believe there are direct errors in the instructions, forcing them to abandon the project.
For assistance, users have consulted knitting forums to determine how to manage the increased stitches and align the cables with the side stitches. While some find it “easy to follow,” the common consensus from negative reviews is that it requires careful attention to avoid mistakes.
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Thanks for your help x
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Honestly I don’t find the AI answers helpful in the slightest. AI doesn’t know how to knit. It most likely found your question here and reported knitters need help with it.
Whilst some patterns do have errors I am not seeing one here. Knitters finding a pattern tricky can be because they are encountering a new challenge rather than there always being a problem with the pattern.
I see no problem with the stitch count. I have counted a few row to check and can see for instance that the rows 10, 11, 13 all add up correctly to 89 sts.
Next row introduces some shaping in the dress, it is written in a standard format instructing where the pattern is to be kept aligned and where the decreases are positioned, there are 4 sts decreased in total on the first ‘next row’ and the given resulting stitch count is correct. (85)
The abbreviation ‘patt’ you understood for working 4 more rows as set. It means the same here, pattern, maintain pattern, follow the pattern for these 6 sts.
Do you have stitch markers placed either side of the cable columns?
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Yes, I’ve found it perfectly correct up to rows 18, but after that is where it gets confusing, given this was the reply (below) I received from Sirdar. The next row tells me to Patt6, then the row after that tells me to Pat6. It’s telling me to pat6 ie cable 2 rows one after the other. I think I’m going to give up!
Knitting Helpline New (Sirdar)
Jan 22, 2026, 11:53 GMT
Hello
So patt6 is the p2 and the C4B (which is worked over 4 rows).
I do hope this helps
Kind regards
You can do this. You will get that aha moment when it clicks.
The cable cross happens every 4 rows. On the other 3 rows you sill work the stitches in that cable column without crossing them, you do just the same . Patt 6 is just the 6 sts related to the cable column. You worked a cross on row 11, the next cross would have been row 15 which was the first row you did as part of the instruction to work 4 more rows in pattern. The other rows of those 4 rows were still the cable column, they just didn’t have cable crosses on those rows. You have already continued the pattern for 4 rows without it being explicitly written out word for word. You will just continue in this way.
See if this pic helps
When you reach the “patt 6” you will either do the cable cross or work the stitches without the cable cross. You will continue making the cable cross every 4 rows, just like before.
The pattern is as you have been working it but now there are some decreases (marked in green).
Let us know if the picture helps or if you have that moment when it clicks. You may need someone to explain to a different way which is fine.
Patt 6 over 4 rows
RS p2, C4B
WS
RS P2, K4
WS
That’s 4 rows. Each row works 6 stitches, these are referred to as patt 6.
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Thanks so much for your advice, it’s much appreciated. Your photo is helpful- it confirms where I thought the decreases would be undertaken. I think the reply from Sirdar confused me- you’ve explained it much better. I do think the pattern could be written in a more comprehensive way, given it stated it was suitable for intermediate knitters and I’m a bit concerned that some experienced knitters have reviewed it and said it’s inaccurate, but I’ll press on with it, but think I’ll employ rescue lines lol. Many thanks again for your help x
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It sounds like you are able to continue which is good news.
Patterns being marked with levels such as beginner or intermediate can be misleading and those classifications probably include a very wide variety of skills. Experience is unique to an individual really, depending on what they have made before and what they have encountered before in patterns. I personally don’t find this pattern confusing (in the section I have read) but if I tried even the most basic sock I would be totally lost, socks just don’t feature in my prior experience.
I’d be interested to see where people have said there are pattern errors and whether there are in fact errors (which need reporting to the publisher so they can ammend it) or if it was just an individual knitter who found it tricky. I do see one person on Ravelry found it hard (calculating stitch count during shaping) but 9 others made it without reporting problems. There is a huge leap to be taken when a pattern stops giving stitch by stitch, row by row, instructions and there is an expectation for the knitter to continue on their own, some people would like the instructions to continue in full for the entire project (which would make patterns many pages long) whilst others are happier with the abbreviated version (which makes it easier to find key information without searching row by row).
We are here if you get stuck again… we all need to talk through our knitting dilemmas from time to time and get advice from knitters with more, or different, experience.
Let us know how you get on.
Thanks again. That’s funny re the socks, because I’ve knitted over a dozen pairs on 9” circular and also by magic loop. Even knitted an intarsia pair with Spider-Man on them for my little grandson lol. I do take your point about previous experience- I’ve done a reasonable amount of cable work in the past, without any issues, so 
I’ll be able to complete this one. I found a post from a year ago on here re the same pattern from an experienced knitter who was having problems, but couldn’t see any replies to her queries. Also a couple on Amazon. Thanks again for all your help x
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Here’s a note from someone on Ravelry who did this project. You are not alone in your confusion!
"Once again a problem with a Sirdar pattern .
Pattern says to continue in pattern, but doesn’t say which row to start the pattern sequence.
27/1 I suppose I can work it out but there are decreases involved, so have emailed Sirdar for help. (Why are there so mnay problems with their patterns? even the help line email address on the pattern doesn’t work and you have to send to another site)
Reply from Sirdar. Pattern repeats start at row 3!
Very ambiguous instructions. I have had to write them out row by row."
Maybe writing them out row by row might help? At least until you can see the flow of the pattern.
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I think the cable cross is at row 3 rather than the repeat at row 3. I’m working a cable pattern which has 12 rows repeated, the cable cross is row 9 of the repeat.
There are other knitters (on amazon and ravelry) who have found the pattern clear and easy. I think it just depends on what an individual knitter has come across before and what is new (the abbreviation patt can be really confusing if you don’t know it) . A few years back I spent 4 days counting stitches trying to work out how to maintain a lace pattern in a centre panel. I couldn’t believe how difficult and frustrating it was (I eventually solved it), but now I wouldn’t struggle with something like that. I still struggle with plenty of other things which are new to me of course (And don’t mention socks!).
Thanks for your reply. Have to say Sirdar on line help does seem to give very brief answers to questions. I’ve done the same- worked out the pattern repeat and written it down- so far so good. I’m going to persevere and hopefully won’t go mad in the process! lol.
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Thanks again to you both. So far so good lol. Managing the pattern and decreases. Have found you need to keep a careful note of where abouts you are in the in the 4 row repeat, as the pattern instructions aren’t explicit in this respect. However, I’ve got to the ‘continue with further 33 rows (with the decreases) and as long as I keep my whits about me lol, I’m doing ok. I’m using a lifeline just in case😂 x
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You are using all the bells and whistles, lifelines, markers, keeping track of rows and decreases! Good going and the result is lovely.
Thank you for encouraging me to keep going, when I was about to give up! lol x
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