by Susan Quilty

Created on: February 18, 2009

The purl stitch is simply the reverse of the knit stitch. It is second only to the knit stitch and is used with the knit stitch to build pattern stitches.

The knit and purl stitches are the reverse of each other. A completed knit stitch has a flat V shape, while a purl stitch looks like a horizontal bump. When you look at the back of a knit stitch, it has a horizontal bump. When you look at the back of a purl stitch, it has a flat V shape.

When you knit every row of a project, you will make a bumpy fabric known as garter stitch. Because a purl is the reverse of a knit, purling every row of a project will have the same result.

Alternating knitting and purling across each row will make a fabric that is flat on one side and bumpy on the other. This is known as stockinette stitch. The flat side is all knit stitches (V shapes). The bumpy side is all purl stitches (horizontal bumps).

When practicing stitches, always use a light-colored, smooth yarn. This will make it easier to see your completed stitches.

Before you can begin any knitting or purling, you have to cast on stitches for your foundation row. There are a variety of cast on methods. The knitted cast on is an simple method that makes an even edge that is easy to stitch.

Knitted Cast On

1. Make a slip knot and put it on your left needle.

2. Insert the right needle through the loop (left to right)

3. Wrap the yarn around the right needle (counterclockwise) and pull a loop of yarn through the first loop. There is now one loop on the left needle and one loop on the right needle.

4. Slide the left needle through the front of the loop on the right needle and slip it onto the left needle. There are now two loops on the left needle and none on the right needle.

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 until the desired number of stitches are on the left needle. When practicing, 10 to 20 stitches are plenty.

The Purl Stitch

There are two common methods for knitting: the English Method (also known as American or right-handed) and the Continental Method (also known as German or left-handed). The primary difference in these methods is the way the working yarn is held.

With basic knit and purl stitches, there is very little difference in the methods. Differences appear when working some pattern stitches, such as K1P1 ribbing or seed stitch. There are pros and cons to either knitting method, but most knitters simply use whichever method they find more comfortable.

Purl Stitch - Continental Method

1. Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left

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