how do I follow 1st to 6th rows to set lace pattern for sleeves when the number of stitches are increasing?

by Seana
(Canada)

Hi,

I'm so thankful to have stumbled on your site! I've been working on the sleeves from a pattern (Sirdar 4508 smallest size) and have been so stumped (this is my 4th attempt) on how to do the sleeves. The instructions say that "From 1st to 6th row sets lace patt. Keeping continuity of lace patt as set"...
The issue I'm having is that the 1st row has 23 are and the 6th row has 27.
When I go back (again) to the 1st row to continue the lace pattern, I have to now work that 1st row with 27 stay on my needle when the first time round there were 23.

I'm really confused! The photo of the sweater shows the lace pattern takes up approximately half the sleeves. When I do as the instructions say "From 1st to 6th row sets lace patt. Keeping continuity of lace patt as set and proceed as follows:" one set (1st to 6th row to set lace pattern) and then proceed as follows, the lace pattern is very short.

Any help with this is appreciated!
Please find the pattern instructions below.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this:)

Kind regards,

Seana

It reads as follows:

SLEEVES (Both alike)
Using 2¾mm needles and thumb method cast on 21 27:31:37:39:41 sts, work 4 rows in g-st.
Change to 3¼mm needles and proceed as
follows:-
1st Row. Inc in 1st st, k0 0:0:0:1:2, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 0 0:0:0:1:1 times, k1 0:2:5:3:3, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso, k2) 0 1:1:1:1:1 times, (k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, s1, k1, psso, k3, yfwd, s1, k1, psso, k2) 11:1:2:2:2 times, (k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 1 1:1:0:0:0 times, (k2tog, yfwd) 0 0:0:0:1:1 times, k0 3:3:1:0:1, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 0 0:1:0:0:0 times, inc in next st, k1. 23 29:33:39:41:43 sts.
2nd and 4th Rows. Purl.
3rd Row. (Inc in 1st st) 1 0:0:0:0:0 times,
k2 0:2:2:0:1, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso, k1) 00:0:1:
0:0 times, (k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, s1, k1, psso, k1) 3 4:5:5:6:7 times, (k2tog, yfwd, k1) 0 1:0:1:1:0 times, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 0 1:0:0:1:0 times, (inc in next st) 1 0:0:0:0:0 times, k1 0:1:1:0:0. 25 29:33:39:41:43 sts.
5th Row. (Inc in 1st st) 1 1:0:0:0:0 times, k0 0:1:2:0:1, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 0 0:0:1:0:0
times, (k2tog, yfwd) 0 0:1:1:0:0 times, (k1 3:3:3:0:0, yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 1 1:1:1:0:0 times, (k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, s1, k1, psso, k2tog, yfwd, k3, yfwd, s1, k1, psso) 1 1:2:2:3:3 times, (k2tog, yfwd, k1) 1 1:0:1:1:1 times, (yfwd, s1, k1, psso)
1 1:0:0:1:1 times, (k2tog, yfwd) 1 1:0:0:0:0
times, k0 2:1:1:0:1, (inc in next st, k1) 11:0:0:0:0 times. 27 31:33:39:41:43 sts.
6th Row. Purl.
From 1st to 6th row sets lace patt.
Keeping continuity of lace patt as set proceed as follows:-
For 6th size only
Work 7 rows inc 1 st at each end of 1st and foll 6th row to 47 sts, working inc sts in patt. For 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th sizes only. Work 8:22:30:38:37 rows inc 1 st at each end of 3rd:1st:3rd:1st:8th and every foll 4th:8th: 10th:8th:8th row to 35:39:45:51:55 sts, working inc sts in patt.
For all 6 sizes
Change to 2¾mm needles and proceed as
follows:-
Next Row. (Inc in 1st st) 1 0:0:0:0:0 times,
knit to last 2 0:0:0:0:0 sts, (inc in next st, k1) 1 0:0:0:0:0 times. 29 35:39:45:51:55 sts.
Next Row. Knit.
Next Row. Inc in 1st st, knit to last 2 sts, inc in next st, k1. 31 37:41:47:53:57 sts.
Next Row. K2, inc in next st, (k25 31:11:13:
15:16, inc in next st) 1 1:3:3:3:3 times, k2 2:2:2:2:3. 33 39:45:51:57:61 sts.
Change to 3¼mm needles and working in
st-st (throughout) cont without shaping until
sleeve measures 6 8:12:15:17:20cm, (2½ 3:4¾:6:6½:8in), or length required, ending with a ws row.

Comments for how do I follow 1st to 6th rows to set lace pattern for sleeves when the number of stitches are increasing?

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May 24, 2025
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Thank you!
by: Anonymous

Hi!

Thank you for taking the time to help me! I appreciate it so much!

I will have to try this again and hopefully with the hell of your instructions, I can actually complete this project!

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend,

Seana

May 23, 2025
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working lace sleeve
by: Ratchadawan

Hi Seana,

I'm so sorry I haven't seen your submission. At this moment I can't focus on solving a complicate issue myself due to my recent surgery. I had to turn to my helper to help you out. I hope it works out for you. Thank you for visiting.
Ratcha

Here is my Helper repond to your question;

Hi Seana! You're absolutely not alone—this type of lace-increase situation stumps a lot of knitters. Let’s walk through this together and make it much clearer.

The Problem:
You're working the Sirdar 4508 sleeve, smallest size. The lace pattern is set over Rows 1–6, but during those rows, you’re increasing stitches:

Row 1: 23 sts
Row 6: 27 sts
Then, you're told to "keep continuity of lace pattern as set" while continuing to increase stitches.

What "Keeping Continuity" Means:
This means you’re expected to repeat the lace pattern, adjusting it to fit the new stitch counts as your sleeve grows.

However, you don’t restart Row 1 every 6 rows. Instead:

You continue the lace pattern visually, not row-by-row by number.
So after Row 6, you begin Row 1 of the lace pattern again—but you'll have more stitches to work with.
You’re expected to extend the lace pattern into the new stitches created by increases.
Think of the Lace Like a Band:
If the lace covers roughly half the sleeve (as you noticed from the photo), you’ll be:

Keeping the lace centered (or positioned per the design).
Expanding the lace pattern outward with each increase if applicable.
Maintaining plain stockinette or reverse stockinette on either side of the lace panel as needed.
How to Actually Do It:
Step 1: Understand What the Lace Motif Is

From what I see, the lace looks like a 12-stitch repeat (or similar). It includes combinations like:

(k2tog, yfwd)
(yfwd, s1, k1, psso)
Centered motifs that create diamond shapes or eyelet trails.
You can either chart it yourself or swatch the 6 rows a few times and see the stitch pattern forming. Mark where the lace starts and ends in each row.

Step 2: As You Increase

When the pattern says "work increased stitches in pattern", it means:

If the new stitches fall within the lace panel, you start using them to expand the lace motif logically.
If they fall outside the lace panel, just knit them in stockinette or whatever the surrounding fabric is.
To make this easier:

Use stitch markers to mark off the lace pattern section.
As you increase stitches on either side, decide whether they now belong in the lace panel. If yes, start incorporating lace motifs. If no, keep knitting plain.
You Can Try This:
After Row 6 (you now have 27 sts):

Work Row 1 again, adjusting the lace for the 27 stitches, keeping the lace pattern centered (or however it was laid out in Row 6).
As you increase, add those extra stitches to the outside edges, and once they match the structure of the lace, begin folding them into the lace logic.
Tip:
It’s not about matching Row 1 exactly every time—it’s about reading your knitting and letting the lace "grow" naturally in its pattern. Think of it like a topiary plant—you’re shaping it, not restarting every few inches.

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