How do you tell which side is the "work side" of a k2p2 rib knit?

Question

I'm knitting my first sweater: the wheat cable vest from the March 2008 issue of Creative Knitting. I've just started the back, and it says to work in the k2p2 rib until the back measures 5 1/2 inches, "ending with a WS row." Both sides look identical to me! So, does it matter, or is there a way to tell which side is the "right side" and which side is the "work side" on this particular pattern?

Answer 1

if i read this right, it is the side that you decide is the front.  the main thing is the 5.5 in as your goal, then from there start your pattern, keeping in mind the side you decide will be your ws.

Answer 2

K2P2 rib knit is the same on both sides. When you turn for each row, you K in the P's and vice versa. The right and wrong sides come into play in the stocking and fancy stitches.

I used to have a machine. That's where KP is difficult. I had no pearling bar, so had to work the pearl stitches by hand.

Answer 3

id say to pick which side you want the right and wrong side is, mark it with a row or stitch marker.

a knit 2 purl 2 rib stitch pattern is completely reverseable so there is no right side.

Answer 4

If there is an   even  number of stitches then  it means that the first and last set of 2 stitches will be the same either knit or purl, so it will be the same on  both sides.

Answer 5

WS = wrong side, which may also be the "work side" in some patterns.

If the total stitches is a multiple of 4, there's not a lot of difference.  When it comes time to seam-up, it's easier if you have one piece of "beginning yarn" at each seam, rather than two at one and none at the other (reason to end with a WS row both times).  

The first row *after* the cast-on is usually considered to be the right side.  As you begin this row, note where the tag end of the "beginning yarn" is.  Is it at your right or your left?  Make a note.  On any WS row the tag end will be in the opposite position.