Quick question on a pattern

Pattern Central
1

I am making fingerless gloves from a pattern found in the book "Vogue Knitting, Teen Knits. On the go"
The part I am stuck on says “Work 4 rows in St st and stripe apt. Inc 1 st each side on next row, then every other row 4 times more”

What I want to know is am I supposed to knit/purl one stitch and then cast on or cast on first and then finish the row?

2

You’re not actually casting on, you’re increasing. Any of the increases found under the 'Free Video’s Tab at the top of the page will work. But yes, you do get a better finish if you do your decrease one stitch in from the edge.