X-Mas Tree Skirt Pattern

[SweetPea99]

I need some advise on the below pattern.
The pattern states to CO 10 sts, then knit 4 rows even....i've done this, but the work I did, looks nothing like the picture; am I missing something? Does this mean to turn the work in order to get the smooth edge? The cables I've done, look fine, it is just at the start. Here is the actual pattern and a link to the picture:
http://www.gallentine.org/Knitting/treeskirt.jpg
Cable Abbreviations:

c6f: Slip 3 sts to cable holder & hold in front of work, k3, k3 from cable holder
c6b: Slip 3 sts to cable holder & hold in back of work, k3, k3 from cable holder

Section (make 7):

Cast On 10 sts. Knit 4 rows even

Row 5: (right side) k1, inc 1, work to last 2 sts, inc 1, k1. 12 sts
Row 6: knit.
Rows 7 and 8: Repeat rows 5 and 6. 14 sts
Row 9: Row 5
Row 10 and all even rows: Purl
Repeat rows 9 and 10 until there are 36 sts, ending with purl row.
Knit 2 rows
Next row: Row 5
Next row: knit

Cable Pattern section

Rows 1,5: (right side) k
Row 2 & all even rows: p2, k1, p9, k1, p across to last 13 sts, k1,p9, k1, p2
Row 3: k3, c6f, k3, k1, m1, k to last 13 sts, m1, k1, c6f, k to end.
Row 7: k6, c6b, k1, m1, k to last 13 sts, m1, k1, k3, c6b, k to end
Row 8: row 2
Repeat rows 1-8 for pattern till there are 90 sts (or desired size), ending with row 8.

Border:
Row 1: k9, k2tog, k across to last 6 sts, k2tog, k to end
Rows 2, 3, 4: k
Row 5: k1, inc 1, k across to last 3 sts, inc, k2
Knit 4 more rows
Bind off. Sew sections together. Weave yarn ends in.

[tarrentella]

Im not sure i understand your problem? knit 4 rows even is knitting back and forth for 4 rows to create a band of garter stitch before going starting the increases at row 5 and then going into stockinette and the cables from row 10 onward.

[SweetPea99]

I know that it sounds strange, but when you look at the picture of the tree skirt, it has a smooth edge on the main side but when I do it ... it is not smooth .... I just wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong or maybe reading the pattern wrong.

Thanks for the reply

[MerigoldinWA]

The picture on the link, as it comes across on my computer, doesn't show the cast on edge. It should just look like a cast on edge where you are starting. Maybe they did a different cast on from yours? That part will end up way under the tree next to the trunk anyway, so in use it should not show.

[SweetPea99]

Thanks so much. I've taken this apart so many times and just finally said, maybe they did something different .. so I started over and it looks fine. Once you get further into the pattern, it seems to balance everything out and the cables fit this pattern so well.

Thanks again

[MerigoldinWA]

I'm glad it is working out, Sweet Pea.

[SweetPea99]

All was going good until I messed up with the increases ... I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and ended up with a big twisted mess. Knitting can be so frustrating when you are a beginner ....