Set up row?

How-to Questions
1

I am knitting a scarf for my daughter and I am kind of confused by the instructions. It starts out with the I Cord cast-on, which was truly wonderful to learn. After the cast-on it lists a “set up row”. Then it goes on to list Row 1, Row 2, etc. I will post the instructions so that it makes more sense. I have not heard of a set up row before and not sure if I knit the set up row and then start with Row 1 or go on to Row 2. Isn’t Row 1 supposed to be your first row? Any help would be appreciated!

Here is the pattern:

Cast on 30 sts using I Cord cast on.
Set up row: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, knit 20, p2, k1, sl 1 wyif, k1
A Touch of Whimsy pattern:
Row 1 and all odd rows: sl 1 wyif, k1, sl 1 wyif, k2, purl 20, k2, sl 1 wyif, k1, sl 1
wyif
Row 2: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, cb4, k1, yo, ssk, k5, p2, k1, sl 1
wyif, k1
Row 4: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, k3, k2tog x2, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, ssk x2, k3,
p2, k1, sl 1 wyif, k1
Row 6: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, k2, k2tog x2, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, ssk x2, k2,
p2, k1, sl 1 wyif, k1
Row 8: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, k1, k2tog x2, yo, k1, yo, k2, cf4, k2, yo, k1, yo, ssk
x2, k1, p2, k1, sl 1 wyif, k1
Row 10: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, k2tog x2, yo, k1, yo, k10, yo, k1, yo, ssk x2, p2, k1,
sl 1 wyif, k1
Row 12: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1, p2, k2tog, k2, yo, k12, yo, k2, ssk, p2, k1, sl 1 wyif, k1
Repeat pattern until you have reached desired length, finishing with row 12 of
pattern.
End with Row 1
Bind off using ICord bind off.
Weave in ends.
Annie Modesitt’s slip stitch edging:
RS: k1, sl 1 wyif, k1 on each edge
WS: sl 1 wyif, k1, sl 1 wyif on each edge
Design Note Used by permission from Annie Modesitt.
Cb4-cable back 4: slip 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold the cable needle at
the back of your work, knit the next 2 sts on the left needle; then knit the 2 sts
from the cable needle.
Cf4-cable front 4: slip 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold the cable needle at the
front of your work, knit the next 2 sts on the left needle; then knit the 2 sts from
the cable needle.
ICord cast on: cast on 3 sts. Slip these sts back onto the left hand needle.
Row 1: kfb of the 1st st. creating another st, k2.
Slip the last 3 sts from the right hand needle to the left needle
Row 2: kfb of the 1st st creating another st., k2. Then slip the last 3 sts from the
right needle to the left needle.
Repeat these steps until you have all of the sts needed for your cast PLUS 2
more sts. THEN slip the last 3 sts from the right hand needle to the left hand
needle, k2tog, k1. Slip last 2 sts from right hand needle to the left hand needle,
k2tog.
I Cord bind off: Cast on 3 sts at the beginning of the row using the cable cast
on.
K2, k2tog
Slip 3 sts from the right hand needle back onto the left hand needle. The working
yarn is going to come from the back of the 3rd st as with any ICord, pull the yarn
snuggly across the back.
K2, k2tog
Slip 3 sts from RH needle to LH needle and continue in this fashion until 3 ICord
sts remain, slip these 3 sts onto your left hand needle.
K1, k2tog
Slip these 2 sts onto the LH needle
K2tog
You now have an ICord bind off.

2

Yes, I believe it means you do the “set-up” row, only once that’s why it isn’t the 1st row of the pattern. So do the “set up” row then start your piece.

3

BigSis has it right. You just do the setup row once. The way I think of the setup row is as a “foundation” for the pattern that follows it. It gets the stitches oriented or arranged properly for the pattern that follows. (There’s gotta be a better way to say that, but I can’t think of one!)

You see them a lot in cable patterns, where the set up row will have you do knits and purls in the order that will be established in the pattern. Hope that (sorta) makes sense!