Cast on 12 sts. Set up: Row A (RS): [P1, k1] 3 times, p1, place marker, k2, place marker, p1, k1, sl1. Row B: P1, k1, p1, k2, slip marker, [p1, k1] 3 times, sl1 wyif. Repeat 16 pattern rows for first half of work (use a bit less than half the yarn available).
Shown with a cast-on count of 13 stitches.