Reading a New Pattern - Take 27

I've chosen a fun scarf pattern to have as an on-the-go project.  It looked easy.  It was a free pattern on a half sheet of paper at the craft store. You would think if the lines of instructions are shorter than your hand it can't be too difficult to figure out.  Even for a newbie, like me.  Well, as you have probably guessed, the score is now pattern 27 - me 0.  And I am in awe that it is the first row that has stumped me.  I've started it over and over and I keep ending up with too many stitches at the end of the row.  Does this happen to anyone else?  (Please raise your hands, I know I can't be alone.)


Here is the devilish row in question:  (RS) K1. KB1. P2. *KB1. (P2. K1. P1. K1) twice. P2. Rep from * twice more. KB1. P2. KB1. K1.


It's the middle part where I get lost...I think.  Is the first "twice" starting from the parentheses or the asterisk? I start going through it and forget if I did the first "twice" twice or if I'm on the second "twice" for the first time.  Either way, it never adds up to 48 stitches.  Right now I am halfway through and had to set it down.  I can already tell I'm off of the count and have no idea why.

Now, lest you think I'm really thick, I have completed knitting projects under my belt.  Several scarves, hats and even a pair of mittens.  I love the process of knitting, of having works in progress when I have to wait somewhere or hanging out at the coffee shop with girlfriends.  I love the feel of the yarn as I'm knitting and the calming affect of a repeat pattern.  But this scarf has brought out my inner competitor.  The pattern will be defeated!  I will wear this scarf in smug victory!


To be continued...