How did I do this? (pattern suddenly on wrong side)

[ninedosus]

I just started knitting, and started a really simple scarf as my first project. I was knitting 4 rows and then purling one to make a sort of stripey pattern. All was going very well until the stripey pattern suddenly turned up on the other side of the scarf instead. I hope that makes sense (the "stripes" were only on one side and the other side was flat, and suddenly the reverse became true).

I have no idea what I did. Does anyone know where I went wrong, or how (short of ripping everything out) I can somehow do what I did again to get it back on the right side. I feel really silly.

[Mirl56]

Sounds like you probably did 2 row of purl instead of just 1, or somehow got out of sync in your knitting/purling rows.

I fear you'll probably have to rip back to that point where it flipped and make sure to do the correct sequence of knit/purl rows.

Or if it's only just a few rows that are off, work the 'new sequence' into the total pattern.

[Jan in CA]

Right, you'll have to rip back to the mistake, but you don't need to take it all out.

That's pretty common and happens even to seasoned knitters. Learn to read your knitting and keep track of where you are. I often use a pencil and paper to make marks for each row of knits then an x or something to mark the purl row. That way you always get the right number.

[trvvn5]

I use a row counter that is stuck to my needles. They're great....so long as you remember to click them forward, which I don't always remember..

[Jan in CA]

I said paper and pencil, but if you want to take a little time these are great. I've got several in different lengths.

How- I take a bag of jump rings like this and put together as many as I've got pattern repeats. For the last one on there I add a bead or make the marker a different color jump ring from the others.

You place it on your needle not on your knitting, and for each for each row you knit you move down the row of rings by picking up the next one and dropping the first one.

For instance if you have a 5 row repeat (4 knit rows, 1 purl row) you use 5 rings. On the second row stick your needle into the next loop down and keep that one on the needles. When you get to the last one you know that is the row you are going to purl.

I'll see if I can find better instructions, too.

Like this, but I prefer the simple jump rings..this one is too confusing.
http://www.karenjoseattle.com/karenj...w-markers.html

[Abby123]

Jan what a great idea.

I make slash marks in paper. Yeh, I'm a low tech gal. But I like the ring idea, too.

[ninedosus]

Thank you so much everyone! I guess I'll go ahead and undo what I've worked already back down to the last point I know was good.

And thank you for all the great suggestions for keeping track of my rows!

[AngelaR]

Jan what a great idea.

I make slash marks in paper. Yeh, I'm a low tech gal. But I like the ring idea, too.

I do the exact same thing when I have printed a pattern our or I make a copy of a book pattern to scribble on.

[Mirl56]

Oh, I like that jump ring idea, too!

[Jan in CA]

Oh, I like that jump ring idea, too!

I didn't invent it, but I love it! I have them with various lengths and they are easy to change if you need to, too.