Reading Pattern Stitches

When we refer to “pattern stitches,” we mean the sequence of stitches and rows required to obtain a given texture to the knitting. One example of this is the “garter stitch” (every stitch in every row is knit) and “stockinette stitch (every stitch in one row is knit; every stitch in the next row is purled).

Here are some examples of different ways of stating some pattern stitches, followed by a translation. To get the most benefit from these instructions, cover up the translation and see if you have interpreted the pattern correctly.

K 2, *P 3, K 4 ; rep from * across.
Knit the first 2 stitches, purl the next 3 stitches, knit the next 4 stitches; continue to purl 3 and knit 4 all across the row until all stiches have been worked. The K 2, which is outside of the *, is worked only at the beginning of the row.

*P 4, K 2; rep from * across, end P 3.
Purl the first 4 stitches, knit the next 2 stitches; continue to purl 4 and knit 2 all across the row until you have 3 stitches remaining, which you purl. The P 3, which is outside the *, is worked only at the end of the row.
K the K sts and P the P sts as they face you.Remember that a knit stitch is a smooth V shape, and a purl stitch is a nubby U shape. When the next stitch facing is a knit stitch, it is to be knitted. When the next stitch facing is a purl stitch, it is to be purled. (Or you could reverse the directions and K the P stitches and P the K stitches.)

* K 7, P 2; rep from * twice, K 10.
Knit the first 7 stitches, purl the next 2 stitches; knit 7 and purl 2 twice more; knit the last 10 stitches. The K 7, P 2 has been worked a total of 3 times.
[K 2, P2] 3 times, K 8.
Knit the first 2 stitches, purl the next 2 stitches, knit 2 and purl 2 twice more, knit the last 8 stitches. The [K 2, P 2] has been worked a total of 3 times.
* K 3, [P 1, K 1] twice; rep from * once, P 7.Knit the first 3 stitches, purl the next stitch, knit the next stitch, purl the next stitch, knit the next stitch, knit the next 3 stitches, purl the next stitch, knit the next stitch, purl the next stitch, knit the next stitch, purl the last 7 stitches. All the instructions between the * and the ; were worked a total of 2 times.
The front and back of your work: The front of the work is the side you have chosen to face out, whereas the back of the work is the opposite side.