Sleeve decreases

#1

Hello! I’m testing a pattern for someone who has been MIA for a few days and I can’t move on until I get this figured out. Super frustrating. I’m sure I’m over thinking the pattern at this point but here’s where I’m at. This is a top-down, drop-shoulder sweater, knit in (k4,p2) with cabled (c4b) body and sleeves. Body is done and I’m on the first sleeve.
This is how the pattern reads:
The first 4 sts of the rnd is a cable column, and it is written as “work 4”.
The first dec rnd says: Work 4, p2tog, patt to last 2 sts, ssp.
Work 7 rnds in patt.

Dec Rnd 2: Work 4, k2tog, patt to last 2 sts, ssk.
Work 7 rnds in patt

Now I’m this second dec round I’ve decreased out the purls between the k4 columns at the beginning and end of the decrease round. So I’m knitting 12 knit sts in a row for 7 rounds. Am I missing something? Does “in pattern” mean something else here? I’m here all day, so please ask clarifying questions as needed. Thank you!

#2

That makes sense, 12 knit sts in a row, 4 knits on either side of the 4stitch cable column. That’s 12 sts in a row. As you continue decreasing you may get to the p2 on either side of the cable again.
I wonder if it might be better for the cable if the original p2 on either side of the cable was maintained and the decreases started in the k4 panels. That way the cable would always pop a bit.

#3

It just looks really bad - I can’t say I’ve seen a knit sleeve with a big patch of knit stitches where there should be a cable. I don’t see this happening in any of the photos of finished pieces. The next cable row will be 2 knit stitches in front of 1 knit stitch surrounded by knits. So pretty much invisible.

Thanks for responding and letting me rant! I’m just irritated that my messages have gone unanswered by the designer. In my mind, there’s no way that this is correct and I must be doing something wrong. Anyway, if I hear back from her maybe I’ll pass on your suggestion :slight_smile:

#4

You’re a conscientious test knitter. I can’t say that I would like the look as written either. It’s not you.