Understanding the cable charts

I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out the cable charts, as I've just started the back. So for my size (36") I knit 14, work row 1 of A, k10, row one of B, k10, row one C, k14. Buuuut... What's row 1? I can normally read cable charts well (I survived Knitty's Mariah) but I don't get this one. I thought row one might be the one where the cable is, but I can't tell because the numbers aren't lined up with the boxes. Also, what's with the two plain rows below it?

Furthermore, how many rows does this thing repeat for? The pattern only specifies two, but the charts are numbered to 9. But there's more than 9 rows on the charts. Do I work from 1-9 and start over, work from 1-the top of the picture and start over, or work from 1- the top and then do the two unnumbered rows below it?

Thanks for any clarification you can offer. I'll be making this in Plymouth Galway Paint, in a bunch of reds.

Stupid Gauge Question

OK, this is probably a very stupid question coming from the Administrator of this KAL, but... I seem to have misplaced my copy of Knitscene with the pattern in it. I already re-wrote and charted it in the round so I have the "pattern" but what I don't have is the gauge. I just knit a swatch and washed, blocked and measured it—about time, eh?—and have my gauge established, but I don't know what the target gauge is.

Can anyone tell me what the pattern's gauge recommendation is and also the biggest size and how many to cast on?

Thanks...

Signed,
Horribly Embarrassed

Question

I began the CPH in November, before I really knew how to read a chart.
So, I read the chart backwards and my center cables twist the opposite way than they should. I just recently cast on the sleeves and I have done one cable twist-- like the wrong cables on the back.
So my question is: Should I make the sleeve cables the correct way or to match the back of my sweater?

Thanks guys!
Allie