Need help with SNB Mock-cable rib pattern!

#1

Hello!

I need help with a mock-cable pattern that calls for a scarf in the SNB Nation (pg. 39).

Here’s the pattern:
Row 1: *P1, k the second st on the left needle, leave this st on the needle and k the first st on the left needle; drop both sts off needle; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2: *K1, p2; rep frokm * to last st, k1.

I don’t understand where it says to leave this st on the needle after knitting the second st on the left needle, and k the first st on the left needle; drop both sts off needle. I’m confused! :?? It looks so easy but once I tried the pattern, I just got lost. If anyone can help explain or any ideas, tips or suggestions, it will be greatly appreciated! Thanks! :muah:

#2

You are making a 2 stitch cable, instead of knitting into the next stitch after the p1 you go to the 2nd stitch on left needle and knit that. You don’t slide it off because there is a stitch in front of it that you haven’t worked yet. You then have to turn your right needle to knit into the 1st stitch on the left needle and knit it, then slide both the 1st and 2nd stitch on the left needle onto the right. It causes a cross between the 2 stitches or a mini cable. You get the same result by p1, slip next stitch to a cable needle, knit next stitch and then knit stitch on cable needle. You would want to work loosely in order to not fight the yarn to do this.
Hope this helps.