Knit VS Purl – How To Spot The Differences Easily

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In this blog post, you will see knit vs purl and how to spot the differences easily. 

The knit and the purl stitch are the foundational stitches, the building blocks of all knitting projects. 

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, understanding the differences between these two essential stitches is crucial. 

Not only do they form the basis of almost every knitting pattern, but they also open up a world of texture and design possibilities. 

From creating simple scarves to intricate sweaters, mastering the knit and purl stitches allows you to explore various patterns, such as ribbing, stockinette, garter stitch, and more. 

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently identify and utilize both stitches, enhancing your knitting skills and helping you create beautiful, handmade projects with ease.

knit vs purl

What Is The Main Difference Between Knit And Purl?

Knit vs Purl: The difference between the purl stitch and the knit stitch lies in how they are executed, the yarn placement, and the texture they create on the fabric.

The knit stitch is made by inserting the right-hand needle into the front of the stitch on the left-hand needle from front to back, with the working yarn held behind the work. 

The purl stitch, on the other hand, is the opposite of a knit stitch. 

It is made by bringing the working yarn to the front of the work and inserting the right-hand needle into the front of the stitch on the left-hand needle from right to left. 

New knitters can recognize a purl stitch from the little bump created by each stitch on the right or wrong side of the work.

Knit stitches are worked on the right side of the stockinette stitch (showing a V shape), while purl stitches are worked on the wrong side, creating a smooth, classic fabric.

knit vs purl in stockinette stitch

What Is The Knit Stitch? 

The knit stitch is the most fundamental stitch in knitting and the first stitch any knitter learns, forming the basis for many patterns and projects. 

It creates a knitted fabric with a smooth, V-shaped pattern on the side where the knit stitches are visible, known as the “right side” when knitting stockinette stitch. 

To perform a knit stitch, you insert the right-hand needle into the front of the loop on the left needle from front to back, wrap the working yarn around the right needle, and then pull this stitch loop through the original stitch to transfer it onto the right hand needle. 

This simple and repetitive motion builds up rows of knitting.

When done repeatedly without alternating with purl stitches, it creates a fabric called garter stitch, which has a bumpy texture on both sides. 

The garter stitch has endless possibilities; beginner knitters can make dishcloths, scarves, blankets, and more. 

Learn how to knit the garter stitch here – How To Knit Garter Stitch

insert the needle into the first stitch
The needle goes into the back of the stitch to knit.

What Is The Purl Stitch?

The purl stitch is one of the two basic stitches in knitting, complementing the knit stitch. 

When performed, the purl stitch creates a bumpy texture on the side of the fabric where it appears, which is the reverse side of a knit stitch. 

To make a purl stitch, the working yarn is brought to the front of the work, and the right-hand needle is inserted into the front of the stitch on the left hand needle from right to left. 

The yarn is then wrapped around the right-hand needle, and the loop is pulled through to form a new stitch, which is then transferred to the right-hand needle. 

When rows of purl stitches are alternated with rows of knit stitches, the result is stockinette stitch pattern, where the knit side is smooth, and the purl side is bumpy. 

The purl stitch is essential for interesting texture and pattern in knitting, and mastering it is a great skill to have in your knitting arsenal.

Learn the basics of the purl stitch here – How To Knit The Purl Stitch (For Beginners + A Video Tutorial)

insert the needle into the front of the stitch
The needle goes into the front of the stitch to purl.

Knit VS Purl – Commonly Asked Questions

How do you tell if you’re on a knit or purl row?   

To tell if you’re on a knit or purl row, simply observe the texture of the stitches on your needle. 

If you see a series of V-shaped stitches facing you, resembling small, smooth loops, you’re on a knit row, meaning it’s time to knit the stitches. 

On the other hand, if you notice a series of bumps or ridges facing you, these indicate you’re on a purl row, and you’ll need to purl the stitches. 

In stockinette stitch, which alternates between knitting and purling rows, the knit side is typically the “right” side, while the purl side is the “wrong” side. 

By keeping track of the appearance of your stitches, you can easily identify whether you’re on a knit or purl row and maintain the correct pattern.

How to tell the right side of the knit fabric?    

To tell the right side of knit fabric, you can look for several vital indicators depending on the type of stitch pattern you’re using:

  1. Stockinette Stitch: In stockinette stitch, the right side is the smooth side where you see the V-shaped knit stitches aligned in neat rows. The wrong side will have a bumpy texture, created by the purl stitches.
  2. Garter Stitch: In garter stitch, where every row is knitted, both sides have a bumpy texture, but traditionally, the side you choose as the “right side” or the front of your work might be the one where your cast-on edge looks the neatest or most even.
  3. Ribbing: In ribbed fabric, the right side is typically the one where the knit stitches (the vertical columns) are more prominent. However, ribbing is reversible, so either side, the front or the back of the work can be considered the right side depending on your preference.
  4. Patterns with Knit and Purl Stitches: For other textured patterns, such as seed stitch or basketweave, the right side is usually the side where the pattern looks most defined and intentional. The pattern instructions often specify which side is the right side when starting the project.
  5. Stitch Markers: In some cases, you might use a stitch marker or a removable marker on the right side when you start knitting to help you keep track, especially in complex patterns.

Can you knit and purl in the same row?    

You can knit and purl in the same row, a fundamental technique in knitting that allows you to create various textures and patterns.

When you alternate between knit and purl stitches within the same row, you can create patterns such as seed stitch, basketweave, or the rib stitch pattern.

More Stitch Patterns

Knitting Lessons

If you are new to knitting and need help with the basics or practicing your knit vs purl stitches, check out more free how-to resources here: Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know.

And if you need more video tutorials to help you practice your basic knitting skills, or want more info on knit vs purl stitches, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube.

For extra help and to connect with more makers, check out the Handylittleme Facebook group. 

If you also love to crochet, check out easy patterns here – Free Crochet Patterns

You can also find us on social media, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Etsy, and TikTok.  

Happy Knitting!

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