Our minds work funny sometimes!
First, you decide the size you want and then circle them down, so it will be easy to follow. For example; I'm making the size which has a cast on of 154 sts. When I knit I will follow the numbers that are in the same position as 154 which is at position 2 in the parenthesis. It is much easier for me to see when I circle or underline these numbers for my future reference. See below.
"Back: Using smaller needles, cast on 126 (146-154-166) sts. Work even in rib pattern st for 2(2 1/2 -2 1/2-2 1/2) inches, ending with row 2. On the next row k inc(dec-dec-dec) 1(1-1-0) st in next 1(2-2-0) sts, k 1(0-4-2), *p2, k2tog, k14, k2tog, repeat from * 5(6-6-7) times more, p2, k 1(0-4-2) k inc(dec-dec-dec) 1(1-1-0)st in last 1(2-2-0)sts -116(130-138-150) sts. Change to larger needles and...."
So, my knitting pattern would be like this;
Back: Using smaller needles, cast on 154 sts. Work even in rib pattern st for 2 1/2 inches, ending with row 2. On the next row knit dec 1 st in next 2 sts, k 4, *p2, k2tog, k14, k2tog, repeat from * 6 times more, p2, k4, k dec 1 st in last 2 sts - 138 sts.
I hope this helps.
Thank you for sending in the question.
Happy needling.
Ratcha
My pattern sets a 4 row eyelet pattern on the raglan. The 1st row decreases 1 stitch at each end. 2nd and 4th rows are purl. The 3rd row, is as follows: