Greetings Knitters:

I am reading a pattern. It says ...

work in K1, P1 rib for 1.5 inches (I got this - easy)

ending with a RS row. ????? what... isn't the K1, P1 rib the same front and front (back)?

I really didn't know there was a front or back on a K1, P1 ribbing.

David

A question first are you knitting in the round or a flat piece back and forth?

If in the round you will notice that one side of the caston edge is different than the other and you may want to decide which one you want to show.

If you are knitting a flat piece then the pattern may want you to have a knit sts. showing first and not a purl sts.

I'll just add that , even if you're knitting a flat piece, you'll still want to choose which cast-on edge you want showing.

Thank you for the detailed answer.

I guess I should have added I am knitting the right front of a sweater vest with a single cable accent that runs up each side of the center front.

David

David,

I am sure others will jump in on this topic as well. So it is important that you use the correct "right or rs" to start with.

I agree that at first it seems like either would be correct but in this case there is a RS. This sounds like a design I have been thinking of knitting as well.

Best of luck,

I have a slightly different take from Knitski's.

If you are working in the flat with a 1x1 rib that always starts with a knit stitch, with pattern instructions that say "ending with RS" or "ending with WS", it's helping to orient you for the following set of instructions. It is as you are coming to the end of your inch or inch and a half of ribbing that you will need to decide whether you want to end with the row you are currently working, or work another row.

If you are doing a 1x1 rib that starts one row with a knit and the next row with a purl, I like to make the purl start row my Right side and pair it up with a purl side row start with the pice that I will be seaming since I generally prefer to seam in a purl ditch. However, sometimes it makes for a more invisible look to have two knit stitches together and seam through half a stitch. Knowing how you like your seams to look allows you to plan ahead in your knitting.

I would like to add, that all your knit pieces should have the SAME Cast On row showing on the PUBLIC side (Right Side) of your completed work. You wouldn't want left or right side of vest, etc. to have two different edges facing the PUBLIC side(the side that people see when you wear the garment). You can (I believe) choose any Cast On you like unless directions state otherwise. I personally like the smooth (Knit)side showing toward the public side as opposed to the bumpy side (purl). I use the Long Tail Cast On in most cases.
On some other projects, I like to use the Long Tail Cast On, with the purl stitch (bumpy)side facing the public side, using that side to better blend with certain stitches. I hope I have helped in some way, and not added any confusion.
Good Luck