Knitting is a popular craft that allows you to create beautiful and cozy items, such as sweaters, scarves, and blankets. One of the basic stitches in knitting is the purl stitch. While it may seem intimidating at first, mastering the purl stitch is essential for a wide range of knitting projects.
The purl stitch creates a bumpy texture on the right side of the fabric, and it is often used to create ribbing, add contrast to patterns, or create a different look on the wrong side of the fabric. Understanding how to purl is crucial for following knitting patterns and creating intricate designs.
To purl, you will need a pair of knitting needles and yarn. Begin by inserting the right needle into the front of the first stitch on the left needle, from right to left. The yarn should be held in the front of the work. With the right needle, wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the right needle, creating a loop.
Next, bring the right needle over the top of the left needle and through the loop, pulling the yarn through. This completes one purl stitch. Repeat these steps for each stitch on the left needle until you reach the end of the row. When you turn your work, you will be able to see the bumpy texture of the purl stitches on the right side of the fabric.
Learning the purl stitch is an important milestone in any knitter’s journey. It opens up a world of possibilities for creating unique and intricate patterns. With practice and patience, you will be able to knit beautiful projects that showcase the beauty of the purl stitch.
Understanding the purl stitch
The purl stitch is one of the basic stitches in knitting, and it creates a textured pattern that is different from the knit stitch. It is commonly used in various knitting patterns to add variety and depth to a knitted fabric. Understanding how to purl is essential for any beginner knitter.
To create a purl stitch, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Hold the knitting needle with the stitches in your left hand. The yarn should be at the front of the work.
- Insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand
Tools and materials needed
To create a purl stitch in knitting, you will need the following tools and materials:
- Knitting needles – You will need a pair of knitting needles in the appropriate size for your project.
- Yarn – Choose a yarn that suits your project. The weight and type of yarn will depend on the pattern you are following and the desired outcome of your project.
- Tapestry needle – A tapestry needle will be used to weave in any loose ends of yarn.
- Scissors – You will need a pair of scissors to cut the yarn.
- Stitch markers (optional) – Stitch markers can be used to mark specific stitches or sections of your project.
- Row counter (optional) – A row counter can help you keep track of the number of rows you have completed.
Once you have gathered all of the necessary tools and materials, you will be ready to begin creating your purl stitch.
Step 1: Holding the knitting needles
To begin knitting, you’ll need to hold the knitting needles in the correct position. Follow these steps to hold the knitting needles properly:
- Hold one knitting needle in your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, hold the needle in your right hand. If you are left-handed, hold the needle in your left hand.
- Hold the other knitting needle in your non-dominant hand. This is the needle that you will be working with to create the stitches.
- Position your hands comfortably. Hold the needles lightly, but securely, with a relaxed grip. You want to have control over the needles without gripping them too tightly.
- Make sure the points of the needles are facing in the correct direction. The points should be facing away from you, and the knitting needles should be held parallel to each other.
Once you have mastered how to hold the knitting needles, you are ready to move on to the next step: casting on stitches.
Step 2: Inserting the Needle
After holding the working yarn in your right hand and the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand, it is time to insert the needle into the first stitch for the purl stitch.
To insert the needle:
- Bring the needle from front to back through the front loop of the first stitch on the left needle. The right needle should now be behind the left needle.
- Make sure the working yarn is in front of the right needle, as it needs to be in this position for the purl stitch.
- Hold the working yarn with your right index finger to keep tension.
Remember, when inserting the needle, always bring it from the front to the back. This is opposite to the knit stitch, where the needle is inserted from back to front.
With the needle properly inserted and the working yarn in the correct position, you are now ready to move on to the next step in creating a purl stitch.
Step 3: Wrapping the yarn
After you have inserted the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, you will need to position the yarn correctly to create a purl stitch.
Hold the working yarn, which is the yarn attached to the ball or skein, in your right hand. Make sure it is behind the right needle.
Take your right pointer finger and bring it over the top of the right needle, positioning the working yarn between the two needles.
- The working yarn should now be in front of the right needle and behind the left needle.
- The yarn should be positioned to the right of the needle tips.
- Keep a slight tension on the yarn, but not too tight.
Wrapping the yarn correctly is crucial in creating a purl stitch, as it determines the direction the stitch will take and ensures a smooth and even appearance.
Step 4: Pulling the yarn through
Once you have inserted the right-hand needle into the stitch and made a loop with the working yarn around it, it’s time to pull the yarn through the stitch.
- Hold the left-hand needle steady with your left hand and use your right hand to gently pull the loop of yarn through the stitch.
- Make sure to keep a firm grip on the working yarn with your right hand to avoid any loose stitches.
- Continue pulling the yarn through until the stitch slides off the left-hand needle and onto the right-hand needle.
- Repeat these steps for each purl stitch in your knitting project.
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to knitting, so don’t be discouraged if your first few purl stitches don’t turn out exactly as you want them to. With time and practice, you’ll become more comfortable and skilled at creating beautiful purl stitches.
Troubleshooting common mistakes
Knitting is a versatile and rewarding craft, but it can also be frustrating when mistakes happen. Here are some common mistakes that beginners make when learning the purl stitch and some tips on how to fix them:
1. Forgetting to bring the yarn to the front of the work
One of the most common mistakes beginners make when purling is forgetting to bring the yarn to the front of the work before inserting the needle into the stitch. This can result in a twisted or misshapen stitch.
How to fix it:
- Before inserting the needle into the stitch, bring the yarn to the front of the work, between the needles.
2. Pulling the yarn too tightly
Another common mistake is pulling the yarn too tightly when making a purl stitch. This can result in tight, uneven stitches that are difficult to work with.
How to fix it:
- When pulling the yarn through the stitch, make sure to keep the tension even and not pull too tightly. This will allow the stitch to relax and create a more even fabric.
3. Not inserting the needle correctly
Inserting the needle incorrectly can lead to dropped stitches or twisted stitches. It is important to insert the needle into the stitch from the front to the back in order to create a proper purl stitch.
How to fix it:
- When inserting the needle into the stitch, make sure to go from the front to the back, under the left-hand needle.
4. Knitting instead of purling
It is easy to accidentally knit a stitch instead of purling, especially when first learning the purl stitch. This can result in a fabric that looks different from the desired purl stitch.
How to fix it:
- If you realize that you have knit a stitch instead of purling, simply undo the stitch and purl it correctly. Pay attention to how the stitch is oriented on the needle to determine if it should be knit or purled.
By being aware of these common mistakes and following the tips on how to fix them, you can improve your purling skills and create beautiful, even stitches in your knitting.
Finishing the project
Once you have completed your project and have finished all the desired rows or stitches, it’s time to finish off your work. Here are some steps to follow:
- Bind off: To prevent your stitches from unraveling, bind off the last row or round of your project. This involves knitting or purling two stitches together, then pulling the first stitch over the second and off the needle. Repeat this process until you have one stitch left, then cut your yarn and pull it through that stitch to secure it.
- Weave in loose ends: Use a yarn needle to weave in any loose ends or tails of yarn that are sticking out. Thread the needle with the yarn, then sew it discreetly through the back of the stitches, being careful not to pull too tight or distort the fabric.
- Block the project (optional): Depending on the yarn and stitch pattern used, you may want to block your project. Blocking involves wetting or steaming your knitting to help even out the stitches and shape the fabric. This can be especially helpful for lace or cable patterns.
- Give it a final inspection: Take a close look at your finished project and make sure there are no mistakes or loose threads. Fix any issues that you find.
- Enjoy your finished product: Once your project is complete and all the finishing touches have been made, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Whether it’s a cozy scarf, a warm sweater, or a decorative item, take pride in your knitting achievement.
FAQ:
What is a purl stitch in knitting?
A purl stitch in knitting is a basic stitch that creates a textured pattern on the fabric. It is the reverse side of the knit stitch and is characterized by its bumps or loops on the right side of the fabric.
How do you do a purl stitch?
To do a purl stitch, insert the right-hand needle from right to left into the front of the stitch on the left-hand needle. Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the right-hand needle, and pull it through the stitch, sliding the old stitch off the left-hand needle. This creates a new purl stitch.
What does a purl stitch look like?
A purl stitch looks like a bump or a loop on the right side of the knitting fabric. It is the reverse side of the knit stitch and creates a textured pattern on the fabric.
Are there any variations of the purl stitch?
Yes, there are variations of the purl stitch. Some common variations include the twisted purl stitch, where you purl through the back loop, and the seed stitch, where you alternate between knitting and purling stitches to create a textured pattern.
What can you make with purl stitches in knitting?
Purl stitches can be used to create a variety of knitting projects, such as scarves, sweaters, hats, and blankets. They can be combined with knit stitches to create different patterns and textures in the fabric.
Video:
Purl Stitch for Beginners (worked slowly)
How to knit the purl stitch for beginners
Knitting: How to do the Purl Stitch (step-by-step)