How To Purl Stitch

The purl stitch is the stitch that most people learn directly after they first learn to knit. It is a simple stitch requiring minimal effort and knowledge, because it is the exact opposite of the knit stitch. Since it is the opposite of the knit stitch, you just have to rework what you already memorized making it much easier to learn. It's a great stitch to learn however as it can be used in many different combinations with the knit stitch to make a knitted piece more eye catching by adding texture to the piece.

This stitch is used in many different projects and for many different things as its simplicity allows it to easily be worked into many of the more basic needle knitting projects while its visual appearance makes it easy to incorporate into more complex designs and projects. In fact you can do a multitude of different patterns with just the knit stitch and the purl stitch like the King Charles brocade or the more basic rib and garter stitch. You will love working with this stitch and learning it will not be wasted time.

How to Purl

Cast on however many stitches you want using the steps I outline in my first article how to start knitting

Step 1: Insert your right-hand needle into the front of the first stitch on your left-hand needle.

Step 2: Take your yarn and wind it around the tip of your right-hand needle in a clockwise motion. (Around the bottom then the top)

Step 3: Using the needle in your right hand draw the yarn back through the stitch on your left-hand needle.

Step 4: Slip the stitch still on your left needle off the needle.

Now you should have a stitch on your right-hand needle, if you do then congratulations.

What Does The Purl Stitch Acttually do

You should have noticed how much this stitch resembles the knit stitch. What you may not have notice quite yet is what it does to your piece. Again, this stitch is not supposed to be fancy or delicate it is only supposed to be used to add some flare to your piece and that is exactly what it does. Basically all the purl stitch does is create a raised row of stitches, that doesn’t sound like such a great thing but a raised row adds depth and texture to your piece. It can also be used for more delicate designs (the King Charles Brocade is one of these) but I want to fucus on the basics first and the basics of the purl stitch is learning how to purl stitch. And, one day you can do something like this.

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