Depending on how you plan to use this stitch, you may want to add one more more extra stitches at the beginning/end of each row to neaten things up, because in Row 2 you begin and end with a decrease. There is also a slight curl to the edges.
Multiple of 4 + 1
Row 1: purl
Row 2: k2tog *(k1, yo, k1) into same stitch, sl 1-k2tog-psso; repeat from *, end last repeat with (k, yo, k1) into same stitch, ssk
In my sample, I added 2 extra stitches, worked in garter stitch, to separate my mock cable panels. You do not have to do this - you can just repeat the mock cable pattern as many times as you like without something separating the panels.
Play around with the spacing, making them closer or further apart. If you want a different stitch separating your panels, and don't like garter stitch, try a true cable or simple mesh stitch.
Cast on 7 stitches (per panel)
Rows 1 and 3: (WS) k2, p3, k2
Row 2: p2, k3, p2
Row 4: p2, knit into 3rd stitch on left needle, then knit into the second stitch, and finally knit into the first stitch, dropping all three from left needle, p2
