Casting on for k2 p2 ribbing

How-to Questions
1

I’m getting ready to start a hat that has k2p2 ribbing. I think I need to k2p2 to cast on but I have no idea how to do it.

Here’s a link to the pattern. http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW2565.pdf

2

You don’t really need to cast on in knits and purls. You can use your favorite cast on; a stretchy one is good here.
This hat starts with k1p1 rib for two rows so you’re better off casting on as usual and working the k1p1.

(If you want to give it a try, you can do long tail cast on as knits and purls but it’s really not necessary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdW0dpYywNQ)

3

The pattern says K6, M1. What does the M mean?

4

[Knitting Fundamentals: How to Do an M1 Increase](Knitting Fundamentals: How to Do an M1 Increase)

5

The pattern gives a very nice list of abbreviations at the end but fails to include the M1. GG’s site has a very nice video for this increase.