I am knitting for the first time and it is a simple 2 knit 2 purl stitch pattern for a scarf. But every few rows I get this strange “shift” in that pattern. I can’t seen to figure out what causes it. If anyone can help please?!
20201220_192112|1200x675
It looks like you’re getting mixed up on when to knit or purl. Rather than shifting by 1 stitch, it appears to me that your ribs are actually getting inverted. Here’s a good way to prevent this from happening:
Instead of keeping track of what row you’re on, or remembering what you did last row, just follow this very simple rule of thumb. Whether you’re on a right or wrong side, if you see a V shape, knit that stitch. If you see a little bump, purl that stitch. Knit and purl are opposites of each other, so what you knit on the right side you will be purling on the wrong side. But it’s much easier to just look and see what to do than try to remember which side is which!
3 Likes
Oh I see. I guess despite paying close attention to what I’m doing I might be mixing up my stitches. Thank you!
Welcome to KH!
Can you tell us the name of the pattern?
It looks like it might be broken rib.
Hello and welcome!!
How many stitches did u cast on at the very beginning? If u want to do a K2 P2 rib stitch, then you should cast on a number of stitches that is divisible by 4. (Like 24, 28, 32, something like that) It looks like you cast on something different.
Knitcindy
Hi! I cast on 33 because I followed a youtube video tutorial for a “mistake rib infinity scarf”.
In the video they refer to it as the “Mistake rib infinity scarf”. 
This was the video I followed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10eT67E1hc
Very nice. Yes, for the mistake rib a multiple of 4 plus one is perfect.
So at some point you may have repeated a row 1 or row 2 instead of alternating the two rows. It’s easy to do that especially if you put your knitting down for awhile.
It may help to place a marker or safety pin into the scarf on the row 1 side. Then when you turn or when you pick up your knitting and see the marker, you’ll always know to work a row 1.
2 Likes
I think that might be it! I usually keep track of what row I am on in a notebook but this seems the most likely culprit to my knitting “shift” I think. Thank you so much for the help. Everyone is so nice here!
2 Likes