this is K

this is P

How to knit
A knit stitch is the most basic type of stitch.

1. With the main working yarn at the back of the work, insert the right-hand needle through the bottom of the first stitch and to the back of the left-hand needle, making a cross with the needles. Take the main working yarn around the back of the right-hand needle and then between both needles.

2. Slide the right-hand needle down through the top of the loop on the left-hand needle and under, pulling the yarn lying over the right-hand needle through the loop. Pull the yarn tight.

3. Slip the original stitch off the left-hand needle.

4. Repeat these steps until all the stitches on the left needle have been knitted. This is called a row.

Read more: How to knit and purl | iVillage UK http://www.ivillage.co.uk/how-knit-andpurl/79654#ixzz1gDMfv0hu Parenting: Information & advice

Symbols
K = knit P = purl sl = slip the stitches onto the cable needle BO = Bind off That's all you need to know for this pattern.

Cast on

The best method I've found

I've tried various methods of casting on the stitches and found this one to be the easiest and give the nicest edge. It also eliminates the guess work on how much yarn to start with. 1. Create a slip knot on your left needle. 2. Knit into slip knot, and slip the stitch on the left needle. 3. Place the new stitch onto left needle. You now have two stitches on the left needle 4. Knit into the gap in between the last two stitches on left needle. 5. Place knitted stitch onto left needle. You now have three stitches on the left needle 6. Repeat this step until the number of stitches required are on your left needle. 7. Now, begin knitting normally

The Pattern
It's time to get started. Needles - size 8 Yarn - I used 2 balls of Lions Brand worsted weight yarn Use a solid light color yarn so the cable shows well. Gage - None. This pattern can be any size you like. Cast on 38 stitches. Row 1 - K2, P2 to end Row 2 - P2, K2 to end repeat until you have 2" Pattern Row 1 - K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6 Row 2 - P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6 Row 3 - repeat row 1 Row 4 - repeat row 2 Row 5 - K6,P2,sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6, P2, sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6 Row 6 - repeat row 2. That's the whole pattern. Now you just repeat the pattern until you have the length scarf you want. Then: K2, P2 to end

P2, K2 to end repeat until you have 2" Cast Off Method K2, BO 1, *P1, BO 1, P1, BO 1, K1, BO 1, K1 BO 1, repeat from * until end Knit 2 stitches. Put the left handle needle into the first stitch you knitted on the right hand needle and lift it over the 2nd stitch and off the needle. You have bound off 1 stitch. Purl 1 stitch to keep the rib pattern. Bind off 1 stitch as before. Purl 1 stitch. Bind off 1 stitch. Knit 1 stitch to keep the rib pattern correct. Bind off 1 stitch. Continue until all the stitches are bound off.

Using bulkier yarn

When using a 5 bulky yarn. Use size 10 needles and use the pattern below Pattern Cast on 38 stitches. K2,P2 for 2" Row 1- K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6 Row 2 - P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6 Row 3 - repeat row 1 Row 4 - repeat row 2 Row 5 - repeat row 1 Row 6 - repeat row 2 Row 7 - K6,P2,sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6, P2, sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6 Row 8 - repeat row 2. With the bulkier yarn, you need to add the extra two rows to stretch the cable out a bit to make the bulkier yarn sit smoother. I tried doing 3 cables with the bulkier yarn but I found it to be just a bit too heavy.

Variations
Now that you're comfortable with doing cable knit, you can start getting creative. Here are a few variations you can do. 1. Instead of doing the middle row just knit/purl, cable knit that section as well to make 3 cables. You can make all the cables go the same way by holding all the sl 3 stitches to the

front. 2. Decrease the number of stitches and do the center panel with only 2 stitches instead of 6. 3. Do the center panel with another pattern Seed Stitch Row 1 = K1,P1 Row 2 = P1,K1

The Double Moss Stitch Row 1 = Knit two, purl two across. Row 2 = Knit two, purl two across. Row 3 = Purl two, knit two across. Row 4 = Purl two, knit two across.