How to Purl

The purl stitch is the reverse of the knit stitch. These two stitches are fundamental movements in knitting and form the basis for all other knitting stitches.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Knitting Needle Point Protectors
• Knitting Patterns
• Knitting Stitch Holders
• Knitting Stitch Markers
• Crochet Hooks
• Knitting Baskets Or Tote
• Knitting Needles
• Measuring Tapes
• Row Counter
• Yarn Needles
• Yarns
• Scissors

1. Cast on the number of stitches required in your knitting pattern. See "How to Cast On in Knitting" for instructions.
2. Hold the knitting needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right. Use the thumb, forefinger and middle finger of each hand to hold and manipulate the needles.
3. Drape yarn from the knitting needle over your right forefinger, under your middle and ring fingers and over your pinky. This positioning will allow you to manipulate the yarn with the right hand. Keep the yarn to the front of the right needle.
4. Insert the right knitting needle tip from back to front into the first stitch on the left needle. The right needle should be in front of the left needle, with the yarn held to the front of your work.
5. Use your right forefinger to wrap the yarn up and around the right knitting needle, right to left.
6. Bring the right knitting needle back through the first stitch on the left needle. This step will form a stitch on the right needle. Slip the first stitch off the left needle.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 until all the new stitches are on the right knitting needle and the left needle is empty.
8. Place the needle holding the new stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Repeat Steps 3 to 7 until you have the desired number of rows.

Tips & Warnings

• Hold needles any way that is comfortable for you and will promote even stitches. Beginners will need to experiment with hand-needle positioning.
• See "How to Purl Continental Style" if holding yarn in the right hand is uncomfortable for you. This method allows you to control the yarn with your left hand.
• Keep your cast-on row of stitches close to the tip of the needle, but not so close that those stitches will slip off the end.
• Experiment with hand-yarn positions to find the one that works best for you.