hello, i wish to knit a scarf but since i’m a beginner, i have no experience in reading knitting instructions so i will appreciate any help given.
rows 1-6 p1* k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
does it mean that i do a purl, 3 knits, 3 purls, 3 knits, 3 purls, all the way and for the last, do a knit. and when i start the 2nd row, do i start with a purl, 3 knits, 3 purls, 3 knits, 3 purls and end with a knit?
Yes
It would help if you’d include a link the pattern when asking questions. There are a lot of scarf patterns so our answers depend on which one. 
That is correct for row 1.
Row 2 depends on the pattern. Is it ribbed? For ribbing you knit the knit stitches and purl the purls. Each stitch has two sides, one is a knit the opposite side is a purl. Here’s a sample of what the stitches look like. On the sample you see 4 knits, 4 purls, 4 knits. On the other side it will look like 4 purls, 4 knits, 4 purls.
I was going to ask if there was a picture because it seemed like an awfully odd garter stitch type thing the way it’s written here.
But I recalled questioning something like that and trying it, it does have a different look.
hi again. thanks for answering my question.
i’m scanning the picture now. i got it from the store where i purchased my materials.
sorry, but what does ribbed means?
Ribbing is used a lot of places, but often on the edge of hats and the ankle part of socks. Here’s the bottom of a hat I just made. The tan part is a knit 2, purl 2 rib. The part that is bumped out and looks like V’s is the knit on this side. The bumpy looking part that’s inset is purled.
<a href=“http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g106/Istevella/?action=view¤t=File0129.jpg” target="_blank"><img src=“http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g106/Istevella/File0129.jpg” border=“0” alt=“Photobucket”></a>
this is the picture
thanks, i realised i did ribbing but i was taught in chinese by the shop person 
i’m not sure if the scarf i’m doing is ribbing though?
For that I would say to trust the pattern exactly until the pattern proves to be wrong.
It says to start with P1 on rows 1-6 so start with it on those rows.
I would think someone writing out a cable pattern would have sense to say do the opposite on the even rows if that’s what they want.
The picture doesn’t show rows 1-6 so can’t really tell from it.
You’re a beginner? Once you get into the cables it will probably look bad for quite a few rows. It will all work out. It’ll look like you should knit tighter but that will only make it worse.
Use masking tape or some other kind of mark to keep your place in the pattern.
yup, it says for row 7, slip next 6 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front, p1, k3, p1, slip last stitch from cable needle to left needle and purl it. i think i’ll need help when i get there again
:sad:
thank you so much though! now i can work on my first 6 rows! 
Your pattern sounds more like an “intermediate” type of pattern but I applaud your bravery at attempting something so challenging!!!
Here’s a link for something a little more “beginner” -ish if you want to try it!!!
HTH, knitcindy
That’s a pretty ambitious pattern for a new knitter, but it can be done. Just take it one step at a time. Here are some tutorials on cabling.
http://www.knittinghelp.com/apps/flash/video_player/play/10/1
http://www.knitpicks.com/images/pdf/easycables.pdf
Your scarf looks like a sort of cable pattern so except for the rows where the stitches cross it is like ribbing.
hi again, i finished my 6 rows.
i’m at the cabling part. do i have to purchase a cable needle?
No, you can use a dpn, another needle, a chopstick, skewer or anything else that’s straight and smaller than your working needles.
The Crochet Dude does’t use anything except his fingers to hold the stitches. I know how he doesn it, he pinches them, but I don’t know how he manages to do it.
okay! i was thinking of a toothpick :X
thanks! btw, who’s the Crochet Dude?
Yeah, a toothpick works.
