Stitches

How do I read a Knitting Pattern?

What does K 1 mean? What does it mean to cast on? Basically, how do I read a knitting pattern? Note: I know how to do the Purl and Knit stitch. Cast on 15 sts. Knit across. Row 2 : K 1, K 2 tog, K across row. Row 3: K 1, P 2 tog, P across to last st, P 1. Rows 4, 5, 6, & 7: Repeat rows 2 & 3. ( 9 sts) Row 8: Cast on 2 sts at beg of row, then K 1, K 2 tog, K across row. Row 9: Cast on 2 sts at beg of row, then K 1, P 2 tog, P across to last st, K 1.

Public Comments

1. K is knit. Tog is "together". Here is how you cast on http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_kn.php3 .
2. k1 means knit one stitch, knit across means knit right across all the stitiches and that's called 1 row.k2tog means to knit two stitches together by putting the right hand needle through the next two stitches instead of just one. p across to last stitch means to purl stitch across the row to the last stitch and purl the last stitch. hope this helps
3. K2tog, stands of knit 2 together. slip your needle into 2 instead of one stitch to knit. the same with the P2tog, just do it like perling though. i have always fourna p2tog kind of finicky to deal with. as far as row 8 where you are casting on 2 stitches. i would just do the backwards loop cast on. assuming you are right handed take your left thumb, and with your working yarn make a loop, slide it on to your right needle. I hope this helps you :)
4. Casting on means putting the first stitches on the needle. There are several methods to cast on, the internet has some good guides, especially the lion brand yarn website (google it and click on guides or patterns). So, for this pattern you would start with 15 stitches on the needle, then for the first row you would knit each of those stitches. For row two you would knit the first stitch, then you knit two stitches together, to do this you pick up two stitches on your needle, and act like they are one stitch, then you would knit the rest of the row regularly. For the third row you would knit the first stitch, the purl 2 together (just like knitting two together, pick up two on the needle, then purl as if they were one stitch) then pearl the rest of the row, and i think that P1 should be K1 meaning you would knit the last stitch on the needle. You would then repeat those two rows (in order) twice each. For Row 8 your would cast on two more stitches, then knit one, then knit two together, then knit the rest of the row, for Row nine you would cast on two more stitches, then knit one stitch, purl two stitches together, purl the rest of the row except the last stitch which you knit. Hope that helps
5. k1 means knit one stitches. cast on 15 stitches knit 15 stitches knit 1, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row knit 1, purl 2 together, purl to the end on the next 4 rows: repeate rows 2 and 3 after that you should have 9 stitches cast on 2 stitches at the beginning of this row, then knit 1 stitch, knit 2 together, knit to the end. cast on 2 stitche at the beginning of this row, knit 1 purl 2 together and purl to the last stitch, knit last stitch if you have any other question or problem just ask.
6. I see you have gotten some great answers! I just wanted to add what I do when I get stuck with a hard to read pattern: Write down step by step on a seperate sheet of paper. Look up all those abbreviations and write down the real word.. also when there are steps in between * * it means to repeat the step.. just write down the step over asmany times as it says.. All this might make you pattern look longer.. But it really helps to have everything clear!