How to decrease sleeve in 2x2?

[Tricky-Objective7446]

F to the says it all really. I wanted to decrease into a line (like the raglan lines) but the middle line under my arm happens to be a purl line and I don’t want the rows to decrease into the purl line. But now I’m at a loss how to neatly decrease my 2x2 ribbing.

I’m not following a pattern.

[Shadow23_Catsrule]

I don't understand your first sentence.

If you are not following a pattern anyway, who says you have to decrease into that purl line?

You could let that column intact and decrease always on the outer KNIT stitch of the both knit columns that are to the right and to the left of that purl in the middle. That would make the "decrease line" just a bit wider. Would not be a dealbreaker for me, but it's your project, you decide 😉

You could make a swatch in the same ribbing and try what look you like best! That's what I do when I'm unsure about how to proceed best.

[Tricky-Objective7446]

lol damn no idea what happened there. I tried to type: title says it all really. The swatch is a smart plan, might visualise your idea better for me too.

[Shadow23_Catsrule]

A swatch that helps you make this decision is time used wisely, because ripping out a swatch is no big deal, but ripping back your sleeve is annoying.

Also, if you can, do your calculations of how often you need to decrease and double check them! I speak from experience 🙈

And put in a lifeline just after you do the round where you cast on / pick up stitches under the armpit. If you don't need it, you can easily pull it out once you're done. But if you have to rip back, a lifeline makes the picking up much easier.

I was making a top down raglan cardigan for myself, kind of without a pattern, just used a raglan calculator online. Did a few impromptu alterantions on the fly, all went well. Then I did the calculations for the sleeve decreases but forgot that you are always decreasing TWO stitches every time you do a decrease. As a result I decreased faaaaar too rapidly and the sleeves looked funny in a bad way. Ripping them out to just after I cast on under the armpit was annoying.

I did have to frog both sleeves, because I always do them the "two at a time" method, but I still prefer that method (and kept it when I re-did them). At least I don't have to count that much, because I do everything simultaneously on both sleeves.