How To Knit The Purl Stitch For Beginners (Tutorial)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.Learning how to knit the purl stitch is really simple.
Once you have practiced the basic knit stitch, you will be ready to learn the purl stitch.
This is usually the second stitch new knitters learn how to do.
The knit and purl stitches work together in most patterns, so you must know both.
Once you learn how to master some basic stitches and techniques in these knitting lessons, you can make practically anything!
How To Purl Stitch Video Tutorial
Watching a video tutorial in the English style of knitting is a great way to learn how to purl, especially if you prefer to hold the yarn in your right hand.
By following the visual step-by-step instructions, you’ll quickly grasp how to position the yarn and needles correctly to create smooth, even purl stitches.
Related post: Continental vs English Knitting
You can see more full tutorials on my YouTube channel here.
Purl Stitch Step-By-Step Tutorial
Welcome to the Purl Stitch Step-By-Step Tutorial!
The purl stitch is one of the foundational techniques in knitting, often paired with the knit stitch to create a variety of textures and patterns.
Mastering the purl stitch opens up endless possibilities for your projects, from ribbing and garter stitch to intricate designs.
In this tutorial, I will guide you through each step to help you confidently incorporate purl stitches into your knitting, whether you’re a beginner trying this for the first time or looking to refine your skills.
Let’s get started!
Pattern Notes
- I used 9 mm/US 13 knitting needles (straight needles) and super bulky yarn for this tutorial.
- You can cast on around 10 or 12 stitches for this sample swatch.
- You will start to purl on the right side of the knitted fabric.
- The back of the work looks the same as the front of the work.
- The front of the work will show a horizontal bump for each stitch.
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes
How Do You Do A Purl Stitch?
- Step 1 – Insert the needle into the front of the stitch (front of your work)
The first step is to cast on a number of stitches for your practise sample, like 10 or 12.
You can use the thumb cast-on method/longtail cast on.
With your right hand needle, place the front of the needle up into the front of the first stitch (or first loop) on the left hand needle.
- Step 2 – Wrap the yarn around the needle
Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle from the front.
- Step 3 – Push the right-hand needle to the back of the stitch
With the yarn wrapped around the right-hand needle, take it and push it down and then up into the back of the stitch that is still on the left-hand needle.
Hold the working yarn attached to the ball in your right hand or wrapped around your index finger. - Step 4 – Slide the stitch off the needle
Slide the loop off the left needle, and you will have one completed purl stitch on the right needle.
You can see the purl bump of the stitch just created on the right-hand needle.
Repeat in the next stitch (into a new loop) and continue to purl the other stitches in the row. - Step 5 – Work the purl stitch in a sample
Repeat steps 1-4 and practice your purl knitting.
This pattern can be worked on any number of stitches.
On two needles: Purl all stitches.
If you purl all of your stitches, you will be creating the same fabric as the garter stitch pattern.
This means the purl rows will look the same on both sides.
The same look happens with knit stitches when you knit every row.
You can see in the image below the purl side of the knitted fabric with a little bump for each purl stitch.
What’s A Purl Stitch?
Think of purl stitching as the opposite of the knit stitch.
- You still hold your knitting needles the same way; however, you will hold the yarn in front of your working needle as you purl the stitches.
- Even though knitting purl stitches is easy to do it will feel a little awkward to work at first but you’ll get used to it as you practice.
- Purl stitches tend to get looser so just give them a little tug when you are finished working the stitch or hold your yarn a little tighter for better tension.
- The right side of your work will look the same as the wrong side.
- The purl stitch is the opposite of a knit stitch.
Do You Have To Purl In Knitting?
The purl stitch is used in many patterns and can be knit in the English style or the Continental style.
Once you can recognize a knit stitch from a purl stitch, you can keep track of where you are in your work.
Purl stitches make bumps and create texture in knitting.
This term is usually abbreviated as a P in patterns.
More Knitting Tutorials
When you work, knit one row and purl one row – you create the stocking stitch – stockinette stitch pattern – How to knit the stockinette stitch (for beginners)
Stockinette stitch is very commonly used in many patterns, from scarves to blankets.
Once you get started on the basics, you can grow in confidence and try out many different types of stitch patterns, from those that incorporate both knit and purl stitches to lacework and cables.
Knitting Basics + Stitch Patterns
For more beginner knitter information and patterns, please visit the links below –
- Knitting for beginners -the complete guide step-by-step
- Knit vs purl – how to spot the differences easily
- Yarn weight guide (+ conversion chart)
- Knitting tools for beginners {the essentials}
- Easy knitting patterns for beginners
- 12 simple knitting stitches for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Cast off knitting methods
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- The mattress stitch – how to seam knitting
- Irish moss stitch dishcloth knitting pattern
- How to knit seed stitch for beginners
- How to knit a hat for complete beginners (+ video tutorial)
Purl Stitch FAQs
The knit stitch is the most commonly used stitch for the right side (front side) of a project, and the purl stitch is the most common stitch for the wrong side (the back side). You knit them in the exact opposite way. As a result, they will appear exactly the same on the other side.
Some knitters prefer to use the Continental method to purl faster. This is a personal preference in the way that you work, either using the English knitting style or the Continental knitting style.
When you use purl stitches to create your knitted fabric, you are alternating the way that you create the stitch, knitting into the front of the stitch instead of the back when you create a knit stitch.
The knitted fabric is reversible and identical on the right and wrong sides. The knitted fabric does not curl and lies flat.
In Continental knitting, the purl stitch is worked with the yarn held in the left hand.
To try Continental purling:
Hold the yarn in front: Keep the working yarn in front of your needles, held with your left hand.
Insert the needle: Insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle from right to left, moving back to front.
Pick the yarn: Use the right-hand needle to “scoop” or “pick” the yarn held in your left hand, wrapping it counterclockwise.
Pull through: Draw the right-hand needle back through the stitch, pulling the yarn to the front.
Slip the old stitch off: Slip the old stitch off the left-hand needle, completing the purl stitch.
This method can feel quicker for some knitters due to the efficient “picking” motion.
