Checkerboard stitch

   Another stitch we can obtain just combining knit and purl stitches is checkerboard stitch. The name is due to the final result, resembling a chess or checkers board.

    

   This stitch is reversible, both sides looks like the same, so it is a good choice for scarfs or cowls. The number of stitches to be casted on depends on the size of the squares we want in our "board". If each of the squares is going to be formed by 4 stitches, we will cast on a multiple of 4 number of stitches. If each of our squares is going to be formed by 6 stitches, we will cast on a multiple of 6 number of stitches. Depending on the thickness of the yarn and the size we want the squares to be, we will cast on a different number of stitches. The number of rows to be knitted between changes, will also depend on the square size. You will easily understand what I mean when you see the instructions and the final result.

  

    The sample you can see below is made with 5'5 mm needles, and a yarn intended to be knitted with 5-6 mm needles.
 
    Cast on a multiple of 4 number of stitches. Knit as explained. Remember, K means knit and P means purl.
  
    Row 1 : *4K, 4P*
    Rows 2, 3, and 4 : knit all the stitches as they appear
    Row 5 : *4P, 4K*
    Rows 6, 7, and 8 : knit all the stitches as they appear
    Repeat these 8 rows as many times as needed.
  
    As you can see, in these instructions you have a multiple of 8 number of stitches, not a multiple of 4, for each row. If we happen to have a multiple of 4 number of stitches, but not a multiple of 8, we will have to knit 4 more stitches at row 1 and to purl 4 more stitches at row 5. We will knit 4 stitches and purl 4 stitches alternatively until the end of the row. The same must be considerated for the following diagram.
 
    Repeat the piece between arrows until the end of the row. Repeat this 8 rows as many times as needed.

 
    Here you can see the final appearance of this stitch.