So I've been knitting and crocheting for a short time and have been experimenting with several different patterns. I decided it was time to tackle a cable pattern. I choose this one as the online reviews made it seem kind of easy.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90431AD.html?noImages=3

So, I’ve finished the rib…This is the next row:
Row 1 (RS): K1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, *p2, k6, p2, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl; rep from * across.

So question -in doing a web search I found that I do a combination knit. So does this make it more complicated? Do I need to translate the pattern to combination knit before I start? Any help translating? I always knit to the back =)

I knew that cable patters were going to be a bear….Anything on this one I should change up before I make myself totally nutty!?!

Thanks!
Kelly

Just knit your usual way through the back loop, but for the ktbl sts, knit them through the front loop to make the rib twisted. It'll twist the other direction, but that's okay.

Just knit your usual way through the back loop, but for the ktbl sts, knit them through the front loop to make the rib twisted. It'll twist the other direction, but that's okay.

So ktbl sts, is this just the ones that go on the cable needle? ***Oh still knew to the-ktbl- knit to the back abbreviation, I thought you were talking about a different stitch!***

And just for future reference this is because this pattern calls for the cable needles in the front? If I had a pattern that called for them in the back would I just continue to knit as usual?--ie all in the back?

Probably the k6 sts will form the cable. The ktbl sts will make a twisted knit st so it will 'pop out' from the purl sts. You just twist it the other direction by knitting through the front loop. It has nothing to do with the cable needles, you're not crossing stitches on this row. You don't do that until Row 3 -
Row 3: K1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, *p2, 3/3 LC, p2, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, rep from * across. - the sts I put in bold are the cable cross sts.

OK, just one more question, I hope!

On the Pearl to the back stitch, should I be working that one in the back or the front with the combo knitting technique?

Thanks again for all the great advice!

I don't know if you wrap the knits the same direction as the purls, so I'll just say to make untwisted sts (Ks or Ps) you would knit into the leg closest to the tip. To make twisted ones, knit in the leg further from the tip. Whichever way makes your sts twist.