Knitting is a wonderful and relaxing craft that allows you to create beautiful and cozy items. One of the essential stitches every knitter should know is the purl stitch. While it may seem a bit intimidating at first, it is actually quite simple to learn, especially when using a knitting loom. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of doing the purl stitch on a knitting loom, so you can add texture and variety to your knitting projects.
To start, you will need a knitting loom and some yarn of your choice. Make sure the yarn is compatible with the loom’s gauge. You will also need a knitting tool or a crochet hook to help you with the stitch. Once you have gathered your materials, you are ready to begin.
Step 1: Set up your knitting loom by placing the pegs in the desired configuration. The number of pegs you use will depend on the width of the item you are knitting. Make sure the loom is securely assembled before proceeding.
Step 2: Take your yarn and make a slipknot. Place it on the first peg of the loom, leaving a short tail of about 2 inches. This tail will be woven in later to secure the stitch.
Step 3: Wrap the working yarn around the next peg in a clockwise direction. The yarn should go behind the peg and come back towards you. Make sure the yarn is not too tight or too loose, as it will affect the tension of your stitches.
Gather Materials
Before you start learning how to do the purl stitch on a knitting loom, you will need to gather a few materials:
- A knitting loom
- Knitting loom hook
- Yarn needle
- Yarn in your desired color and weight
- Scissors
Make sure you have all these materials ready before you begin. It’s important to have the right tools and materials to ensure your knitting project turns out well.
Set Up the Knitting Loom
Before you can start purling stitches on your knitting loom, you need to set it up properly. Here are the steps to set up your knitting loom:
- Select the right knitting loom: There are different types and sizes of knitting looms available. Choose the appropriate loom based on the size of the project and the yarn you’ll be using.
- Attach the pegs: Most knitting looms come with removable pegs. Insert the pegs into the holes along the edges of the loom. Make sure the pegs are spaced evenly.
- Secure the yarn: Tie the end of your yarn to the anchor peg or starting peg located at one end of the loom. Leave a long tail of yarn that will be used to finish off the project later.
Once you have set up the knitting loom, you are ready to start purling stitches. Make sure you have a good understanding of the purl stitch technique before proceeding.
Cast On Stitches
To begin your project, you will need to cast on stitches onto your knitting loom. Casting on is the process of adding the initial stitches to the loom, forming the foundation of your work.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cast on stitches:
- Hold the knitting loom correctly: Start by positioning the knitting loom in front of you. Hold it firmly with both hands and keep it parallel to your body.
- Thread the yarn: Take your working yarn and thread it through the anchor peg at the end of the loom. Make sure the yarn is secure but not too tight.
- Create a slipknot: To make a slipknot, create a loop with the yarn, passing one end of the yarn through the loop. Pull the loop tight, leaving a small opening for your working yarn to pass through.
- Place the slipknot: Slide the slipknot onto the first peg of the knitting loom. Make sure the slipknot is snug around the peg but not too tight.
- Begin casting on: Take the working yarn and wrap it around the second peg in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Continue wrapping: Repeat step 5 for each peg, moving in a counter-clockwise direction around the loom. The number of times you wrap each peg will depend on your desired stitch count.
- Knit off: Once you have wrapped all the pegs, take your knitting tool (hook or knitting needle) and lift the bottom loop over the top loop on each peg, releasing the stitch.
Repeat steps 5-7 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your project. Make sure to keep the tension even and consistent throughout the process.
Now that you have successfully cast on stitches onto your knitting loom, you are ready to begin your project! Whether you are making a scarf, a hat, or any other knitted item, the cast-on stitches serve as the starting point for your creation.
Prepare to Purl
Before you start purling on a knitting loom, you will need a few supplies:
- Knitting Loom: Choose a knitting loom that is appropriate for your project. The size of the loom will determine the width of your stitches.
- Yarn: Select a yarn that is suitable for the loom size and your desired project. Make sure you have enough yarn to complete your project.
- Loom Hook: A loom hook, also known as a knitting tool or knitting needle, is used to pull the yarn through the stitches.
- Row Counter: A row counter can be helpful to keep track of the number of rows you have knitted.
- Tapestry Needle: A tapestry needle is used to weave in the loose ends of yarn after completing your project.
Once you have gathered your supplies, you are ready to get started with purling on a knitting loom!
Insert the Hook
Before you can start working on the purl stitch, you need to insert the hook into the first stitch on the loom.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Hold the loom with both hands, ensuring that the pegs are facing up.
- Locate the first stitch on the loom. It will be the loop of yarn that is closest to you.
- With your dominant hand, hold the knitting hook and position it underneath the first stitch on the loom.
- Gently lift the stitch with the hook, guiding the hook upwards and towards you.
- Once the stitch is lifted onto the hook, let go of the loop of yarn that was on the peg.
Now that the hook is inserted into the first stitch, you are ready to proceed with the purl stitch. Make sure to hold the hook securely and prepare for the next steps of the process.
Wrap the Yarn
Before you begin the purl stitch on a knitting loom, you’ll need to wrap the yarn around the pegs. This will create the foundation for the purl stitch.
Here’s how to wrap the yarn:
- Choose the peg where you want to start. This will be the peg farthest to the right if you’re holding the loom with the open side facing you.
- Hold the working yarn in your right hand.
- Bring the yarn behind the peg and bring it up towards you, crossing over the front of the peg.
- Wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the peg, moving from front to back.
- Repeat this process with each peg, wrapping the yarn around each one in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Make sure each peg has one wrap of yarn around it before moving on to the next step.
Wrapping the yarn correctly is essential for creating the purl stitch. Take your time and make sure each peg is wrapped properly before moving on.
Release the Stitch
Once you have completed the purl stitch on the knitting loom, you need to release the stitch from the peg.
Here is how you can release the stitch:
- Take the hook and insert it into the stitch you just worked on.
- Gently lift the stitch up and over the peg, so that it is no longer secured on the peg. You can use your fingers to help guide the stitch off the peg.
- Once the stitch is released from the peg, you can continue with the next stitch on the loom, or repeat the purl stitch if needed.
- Repeat this process for each stitch in the row or round of knitting, until all of the stitches have been released from the pegs.
Remember to work carefully and not to pull on the yarn too tightly when releasing the stitch, as this can cause the stitch to become too tight and difficult to work with.
Releasing the stitch is an important step in knitting with a loom, as it allows you to create the desired stitch pattern and texture in your knitting project.
Repeat the Purl Stitch
Once you have completed the first purl stitch, you will continue to repeat the same steps for each stitch in your row. Follow these instructions to continue purling on your knitting loom:
- Move the working yarn to the front of the loom, just as you did for the first stitch.
- Insert the hook from right to left through the next loop on the loom.
- Wrap the working yarn around the prong of the hook, moving it from the front to the back of the loom.
- Use the hook to pull the loop of yarn through the stitch on the loom, creating a new loop on the hook.
- Carefully remove the new loop from the loom and place it on the peg corresponding to the stitch.
- Repeat these steps for each stitch in the row, moving from right to left on the loom.
Continue purling each stitch until you have reached the end of the row. Then, turn the loom around and begin purling the next row in the same manner.
Remember to keep your tension even and your stitches tight but not too tight. Practice purling on a few rows until you feel comfortable with the technique. Once you have mastered the purl stitch, you will be ready to start creating more intricate patterns and designs with your knitting loom.
FAQ:
What is a purl stitch?
A purl stitch is a basic stitch in knitting that creates a pattern of loops that lie on the surface of the fabric. It is the opposite of a knit stitch, and is often used to create ribbing or other textured patterns.
Can I do a purl stitch on a knitting loom?
Yes, you can do a purl stitch on a knitting loom. The process is similar to doing a purl stitch with traditional knitting needles, but instead of working with individual stitches, you will work with loops on the loom.
What tools do I need to do a purl stitch on a knitting loom?
To do a purl stitch on a knitting loom, you will need a knitting loom, a knitting hook or tool, and yarn. Some loom knitting kits also come with a loom hook specifically designed for purling.