P1B Knitting: How To Purl One Below

Learn P1B knitting, also known as purl one below, with this easy step-by-step tutorial.

P1B is a knitting instruction that means you purl into the stitch below the next stitch on your left-hand needle.

It is often used in textured stitch patterns, ribbing variations, brioche-style stitches, fisherman’s rib, and other patterns where the stitch below creates extra depth and texture.

If you have seen P1B in a knitting pattern and wondered what it means, this guide will walk you through the technique slowly and clearly.

You’ll learn what P1B means, how to purl one below with a video tutorial, when to use it, and how it compares to a regular purl stitch.

Quick Answer: What Does P1B Mean In Knitting?

P1B means purl one below.

Instead of purling into the next stitch on the left-hand needle, you purl into the stitch directly below it.

This creates a different texture because you are working into the stitch from the row below.

P1B does not usually mean “purl through the back loop.”

That is a different technique, often written as PTBL.

P1B At A Glance

Detail	Information
Abbreviation	P1B
Meaning	Purl one below
Type of stitch	Textured purl stitch
Worked into	The stitch below the next stitch
Commonly used in	Textured patterns, ribbing variations, fisherman’s rib, brioche-style stitches
Often confused with	PTBL
Main effect	Creates texture and depth

Before You Start

Before learning P1B, it helps if you already know how to:

Work the purl stitch
Recognize the next stitch on the left-hand needle
Identify the stitch directly below it
Keep relaxed tension
Read basic knitting abbreviations

P1B can feel a little unusual at first because you are not working into the stitch sitting on the needle in the normal way.

Instead, you look below that stitch and purl into the stitch from the row underneath.

Using smooth, light-colored yarn can make it easier to see where to insert your needle.

What Is P1B In Knitting?

P1B is a knitting technique where you purl into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

In a regular purl stitch, you insert the right-hand needle into the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

With P1B, you insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below that next stitch, then work a purl stitch.

This can create a deeper, textured stitch and is often used in stitch patterns that need extra dimension.

P1B Abbreviation

In knitting patterns, you may see this written as:

P1B
p1b
Purl one below
Purl 1 below
Purl into the stitch below
Purl into the stitch one row below
Purl into the next stitch below

These usually refer to the same technique, but always check the pattern notes.

Some designers use slightly different wording, especially in textured stitch patterns, brioche-style patterns, or fisherman’s rib.

How To Purl One Below

To work P1B:

Bring the yarn to the front of your work, as you normally would for a purl stitch.
Look at the next stitch on the left needle.
Find the stitch directly below that stitch.
Insert the right needle into the stitch below from right to left, as if to purl.
Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle.
Pull the yarn through the stitch below.
Let the original stitch above come off the left-hand needle as the new stitch is formed, unless your pattern tells you otherwise.

You have now worked one P1B stitch.

The new stitch has been created by purling into the stitch below.

Video Tutorial: How To P1B

Watch the video tutorial below to see how to purl one below step by step.

This will show you how to find the stitch below, insert your right-hand needle, wrap the yarn, and complete the P1B stitch.

Step-By-Step P1B Instructions

Here is the P1B stitch broken down more slowly.

Step 1: Bring the yarn to the front

P1B is worked as a purl stitch, so your yarn should be at the front of your work.

Hold the yarn as you normally would when purling.

Step 2: Find the next stitch

Look at the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

This is the stitch your pattern is referring to, but you will not purl directly into the top of it in the usual way.

Step 3: Find the stitch below

Look directly below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

You should see the stitch from the row below.

This is where you will insert your right-hand needle.

Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below

Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below as if you were going to purl.

This can feel a little different from a normal purl stitch because you are working lower down in the fabric.

Move slowly so you do not split the yarn or catch the wrong strand.

Step 5: Wrap the yarn

Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle as you would for a regular purl stitch.

Keep your tension relaxed.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through

Pull the wrapped yarn through the stitch below.

You should now have a new stitch on the right-hand needle.

Step 7: Complete the stitch

Let the original stitch above slide off the left-hand needle as the new stitch is formed, unless your pattern gives different instructions.

You have now worked one P1B stitch.

Easy way to remember P1B

A simple way to remember P1B is:

Purl into the stitch below.

You are still making a purl stitch, but instead of working into the stitch sitting on the needle, you work into the stitch directly underneath it.

What Does P1B Look Like?

P1B creates a textured stitch because it is worked into the row below.

Depending on the stitch pattern, it may create a deeper purl bump, a more textured fabric, or a ribbed effect.

It is often used when a pattern needs extra depth, stretch, or a slightly thicker texture.

You may see P1B in stitch patterns that look similar to fisherman’s rib, half fisherman’s rib, brioche-style ribbing, or other textured rib patterns.

P1B Vs Regular Purl Stitch

A regular purl stitch is worked into the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

P1B is worked into the stitch below the next stitch.

Stitch	Where You Insert The Needle	Finished Effect
Purl stitch	Into the next stitch on the left-hand needle	Regular purl stitch
P1B	Into the stitch below the next stitch	Textured stitch

If your pattern says P1B, do not work a regular purl stitch unless you are intentionally changing the texture.

P1B Vs PTBL: What Is The Difference?

P1B and PTBL are different techniques.

P1B means purl one below.
PTBL means purl through the back loop.

With P1B, you purl into the stitch below the next stitch.

With PTBL, you purl into the back loop of the next stitch on the needle.

Abbreviation	Meaning	Where It Is Worked
P1B	Purl one below	Into the stitch below
PTBL	Purl through the back loop	Into the back loop of the next stitch

Both are worked as purl stitches, but they create different effects.

P1B Vs K1B

P1B and K1B are related, but they are not the same.

P1B means purl one below.
K1B means knit one below.

P1B is worked as a purl stitch into the stitch below.

K1B is worked as a knit stitch into the stitch below.

These techniques may appear together in textured ribbing, fisherman’s rib, or brioche-style stitch patterns.

When Should You Use P1B?

Use P1B when your knitting pattern tells you to purl one below.

You may see P1B in:

Textured stitch patterns
Fisherman’s rib
Half fisherman’s rib
Brioche-style knitting
Ribbing variations
Sweaters
Scarves
Cowls
Hats
Decorative stitch patterns

If your pattern includes P1B, the designer usually wants the texture created by working into the stitch below.

Is P1B Hard For Beginners?

P1B can feel a little confusing at first because you need to identify the stitch below the next stitch on the needle.

However, if you can purl and you can see your stitches clearly, you can learn P1B with practice.

The hardest part is usually finding the correct stitch below and not accidentally working into the wrong strand.

Use smooth yarn, relaxed tension, and a small practice swatch until the movement feels easier.

Common P1B Mistakes

Working a regular purl stitch instead

P1B is not the same as a normal purl stitch.

Make sure you insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below the next stitch, not into the next stitch itself.

Working into the wrong stitch below

Look carefully at the stitch directly below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

If you work into the wrong strand, the texture may look uneven.

Pulling too tightly

P1B can feel awkward if your tension is tight.

Keep your stitches relaxed so the right-hand needle can move into the stitch below more easily.

Confusing P1B with PTBL

P1B means purl one below.

PTBL means purl through the back loop.

Use the technique written in your pattern unless you want to change the stitch pattern intentionally.

Dropping the stitch incorrectly

For many P1B instructions, you let the stitch above slide off the left-hand needle once you have created the new stitch.

Move slowly and check your pattern notes if the designer gives a specific instruction.

P1B Practice Swatch

If you are new to P1B, try practicing on a small swatch.

Cast on 20 stitches.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Purl all stitches.
Row 3: Knit all stitches.
Row 4: Purl 2, P1B to last 2 stitches, purl 2.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 a few times.

This will help you practice identifying the stitch below and working P1B across a purl row.

For a textured rib practice swatch, try:

Cast on an even number of stitches.

Row 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2: *K1, P1B; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to practice purling one below in a simple rib-style pattern.

P1B Knitting FAQs

What does P1B mean in knitting?

P1B means purl one below.

It tells you to purl into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

How do you P1B in knitting?

To P1B, bring the yarn to the front, find the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, insert the right-hand needle into that stitch as if to purl, wrap the yarn, pull it through, and complete the stitch.

Is P1B the same as purl through the back loop?

No, P1B and PTBL are different.

P1B means purl one below, while PTBL means purl through the back loop.

Is P1B a decrease?

No, P1B is not usually a decrease.

It is a textured stitch worked into the stitch below.

Does P1B increase stitches?

No, P1B does not usually increase your stitch count.

It changes where you work the purl stitch, but it normally keeps the stitch count the same.

What is the difference between P1B and K1B?

P1B means purl one below, while K1B means knit one below.

P1B is worked as a purl stitch, and K1B is worked as a knit stitch.

When do you use P1B?

Use P1B when your pattern asks you to purl one below.

It is often used in textured stitch patterns, fisherman’s rib, brioche-style ribbing, scarves, cowls, hats, and sweaters.

Can beginners learn P1B?

Yes, beginners can learn P1B if they already know how to purl.

It may feel confusing at first, but practicing on a small swatch can make it much easier.