Stitches

What does the * mean when knitting?

I have recently started knitting with a monthly magazine. I am confused as to what to do with the follow pattern: 'P4, *k2, p4, rep from * to end' Does this mean the pattern will be: 'P4, *k2, p4, *k2, p4, P4, *k2, p4, P4, *k2...........' or do I start with the *k2 then p4,P4, *k2, p4, P4......

Public Comments

1. P4, k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4, etc. Because rep means repeat and you repeat from after the * to the end.. if that makes sensee.
2. 'P4, *k2, p4, rep from * to end' if you had 75 stitches on your needle it would be funny to repeat that over and over again so the * to end lets you know to knit 2 and purl 4 to the end of the stitches. So do the p4 for the start of your row and then just the knit 2 and purl 4 over and over again to the end of the row.
3. The asterisks simply indicate a section of the instructions that you will repeat several times. It's easier to say "repeat this section X times" than to write it out over and over again. Sometimes they use square brackets instead, to indicate a repeating section. Sometimes they use other symbols, but you can recognize it by the "rep" abbreviation which stands for "repeat." Execute the instructions before the asterisk normally. Execute the instructions between the asterisks. Then repeat the sequence between the asterisks the number of times indicated, or until you run out of stitches to work. Execute any remaining instructions after the second asterisk. Sometimes they tell you to repeat the section a certain number of times, such as P4, *k2, p4, rep 3 times more from * Sometimes they tell you to just keep going until you reach the end of the row. Sometimes they tell you to go until there are a certain number of stitches left at the end, then do some other final instruction, such as: P10, *k2, p4* repeat until 12 sts remain, k2, P10 Sometimes there is a beginning asterisk and no closing asterisk, as in this case (where they end the repeat section with "rep from*." Sometimes they just give you the symbols and assume you know what it means, like this: P4, [k2, p4] to end
4. You start with P4 then repeat the stitches after the *, that will be k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p4 and so on until you reach the end which should be ending with p4. This will keep the pattern balanced.