Trying to understand first pattern

How-to Questions
1

Hello!

I’ve been practising making scarves to get used to things like cables, textured patterns, etc. I’m now undertaking my first larger project. And… I’m already confused.

Here’s an excerpt:

Ribbing: Row 1 (RS): K2, * p2, k2, rep from * across.

Row 2: P2, * k2, p2, rep from * across. Rep these 2 rows until piece measures 3” from beg, end on RS. Change to
larger needles and p the next row, dec 7(7-11-15-15) sts across – 99(111-119-127-139) sts.

I’m making the XL version of this cardigan. I cast on the required 154 stitches, did the ribbing. Now have one size larger needles and ready to start the rest of the back. I’m confused because based on the Row 2 instructions, after I make a 3" tall ribbed section I move to slightly larger needles and decrease by 15 stitches (from even (154) to odd (139). Do I decrease all 15 at the start of the first purl row? Or 7 on one side and 8 on the other? Or is there another approach which should be obvious but to which I’m oblivious? Help!

-Rookie3637

2

If it helps, here is the full pattern:

http://www.berroco.com/sites/default/files/downloads/patterns/Rockport%20_%20Berroco.pdf

3

In this type of situation you are usually menat to decrease EVENLY across the row.

So, starting with 154sts and decreasing 15sts to end with 139 you…
154/15 = 10.2
need to decrease one st for EVERY 10sts (round here).

Therefore…
Work 2, (dec 1, work 8) x 15, work remaining 2sts

Notice, the parenthesis use 10 sts (the two for your decrease + 8) but end with 9.

4

Thank you!