they think I know what I'm doing!!

[cgday]

Having some problems with this pattern as far as the decrease goes.

**dec 1 st at armhole edge on next and foil 2 alt rows at the same
time dec 1 st at front slope edge as set on every 3rd row from
previous dec. 29 sts.
Dec 1 st at front slope edge only on every foll 3rd row from previous
dec until 22 sts rem.
Cont straight until work meas 8Y2 in (22

So do I count the purl rows (alt) when determining every following 3rd row or does this just mean the pattern rows ?

[suzeeq]

An 'alt row' means every other row, patterned or plain. Start by decreasing on the next row then work a row plain, dec on next row, plain row and dec on next row. That's at the armhole edge only. At the neck edge you begin the decs on the 3rd row which would be a purl row. Then work 2 rows and dec on the 3rd one again, only it would be at the end of a knit row.

You're doing decs at both the armhole and neck edges, but at different rates - every other row for the armhole, and every 3rd row at the neck.