This is the proper layout to category 5 cabling. The first thing you need to know is that this scheme is visualized from the top of the jack, with the copper contacts facing up. Each wire is labeled from 1 to 8.

The good stuff
One way to help remember the layout is that the colors always alternate between a solid and a white/mix combo. With the exception of the blue pair, all pairs begin with their white combo; the blue begins with a solid. Use the following chart as a reference.

Why should I care how I wire a patch cord?
There is a very logical and sound reason as to why the twisted pair specification was developed. Take “twisted-pair” ethernet, for example. The actual scheme uses pairs 2 and 3. Notice that by wiring it in coordinance with the above diagram produces two twisted pairs: wires 3 and 6 are twisted and wires 1 and 2 are twisted. Wiring it the improper “conventional” will produce a cross between wires 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8. This fails to cross wires 3 and 6 properly and introduces the possibility of cross-talk; the true twisted-pair scheme eliminates cross-talk, even at 100 Mbps. If this patch cord is used for twinax connectivity, notice that pair 1 (wires 4 and 5) get properly crossed as well. It even works for leased- lines that use pairs 3 and 4. No matter the wiring need, it properly crosses each wire with its appropriate counterpart, always eliminating cross-talk. PLEASE always make patch cords this way; flat cord will not allow you to make a correct patch cord and it uses stranded wire, not solid as in UTP (unshielded twisted-pair).

If this is to be printed, I recommond printing it on a color printer; they grays it the chart will be too dark for the text to show through on a black & white printer.