I desperately need help! I have been knitting for a few years, just basic knit stitch. I finally attempted purling, and am working on a cowl neck scarf that also pulls up into a hood. (Very cute if I could do it.) The project begins with a knit stitch- that part is done. Now it transitioning to 80 stitches around, 4x knit stitch then 4x purl. Here is my problem:
First, I thought I was alternating knit/purl fine, and ended up with so many added stitches. It was awful! I pulled it all out.
Now, I've tried again and have the correct 80 stitches around the circular needles; however despite careful counting and reviewing MANY MANY videos online to chech my tehcnique- it's still awful! Instead of looking like nice vertical rows of purling popped up, it looks more like a checkerboard of purl block here and knit block there. Perhaps I should post a picture... Anyone have some advice? HELP!

You should post a picture, as I can't imagine what it is that you mean.

Also post a photo of the finished scarf and the instructions.

Are you sure you're knitting the knit and purl stitches in after doing the "yarn over" part of the stitch? That could account for the extra stitches.

Also, if the pattern calls for alternate knitting and purling, you will have a checkerboard pattern.

If the pattern calls for one row of knitted stitches followed by a row of purling, you'll have get the smoother look rather than a checkerboard.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GardenSprite,

I know knitting is not easy task, but as you are making scarf it is easier than that of any other object like socks, just post a pic so that we can have idea what you have done.

All you have to remember is the tail, (yarn you working with) in front is purlandtail in back is knit. Just follow that with your working knit needles as the follower to that. It all you have to remember for the purl and knit. I hope I helped.