The Purl Stitch

The PURL STITCH is one of the two major stitches in knitting. There are a few different ways of purlingthis stitch:  English and Continental.

The major difference between the English and Continental methods is how you hold the yarn.  With the English method, you hold the yarn in your right hand and you hold the yarn in the left hand for the Continental methods. More about that in just a moment.

The first thing you will notice in the photo below is that the purl stitch looks very similar to the knit stitch or garter stitch (created with only knit stitches).  But it is different.  Often you will see the term, reverse stockinette to describe what the purl stitch looks like.

Purl stitches are generally used with knit stitches to create interesting textures such as stockinette stitch, seed stitch, and rib stitches.  

Purl stitch swatch also known as reverse stockinette worked in white yarnPurl Stitch (aka Reverse Stockinette Stitch)
Garter knit stitch worked in gold yarnGarter Stitch

Knitting the Purl Stitch English Vs. Continental Methods

Learning to knit requires practice and time.  It takes time to develop that muscle memory in order to knit without thinking about every step.  Think about a skill that you do today without even thinking about it - typing on a keyboard or riding a bike.  Both skills were probably hard when you first tried them, but now, you can accomplish them without even thinking.  Knitting is no different.

Most western knitters hold their yarn in either their right or left hands.  Either way is perfectly fine, but when you are just beginning, you will need to try both methods to see which one feels more comfortable to you. 

Continental Knitters

If you like to hold your yarn in the left hand, you are a continental knitter.  Many crocheters trying knitting for the first time will use this method because they hold the yarn in their left hand when crocheting. 

Many people believe that this method allows you to knit faster.  Many people also think that purling or making purl stitches is more difficult with this method.  You be the judge for yourself.

  • May be more comfortable for crocheters
  • May be faster
  • Easier on the wrists
  • Purling may be more difficult for continental knitters
  • Some knitters find this style to be more relaxing, but the same can also be said for English Knitters.
Continental style of knitting is demonstrated with the yarn held in the left handContinental Knitters hold the yarn in the left needle.

English Knitters (also known as American)

Knitters that hold the working yarn in their right hand are known as English knitters.  Some knitters will learn to knit using the English method and then switch to the continental. 

There is a benefit for being able to do both, especially as you progress through your knitting adventure.  Some colorwork knit techniques such as stranded knitting can be done proficiently using both methods, by holding one color of yarn in each hand.

  • May be more comfortable for beginners
  • Some say that tension can be controled better using this method
  • Experienced English knitters may advance to a method called flicking which can be very fast.
  • May cause wrist pain for some
English style knitting is demonstrated with the yarn held in the right hand.

How to Make the Purl Stitch:  English Style

The following photos show how to make the purl stitch using the English method (also known as throwing or holding the yarn in your right hand.

1. Hold Your Working Yarn in Front of the Work

Step-by-step tutorial on making the purl stitch. Step one is shownWith your working yarn held in front of the needle, insert the tip of the right needle into the next stitch from back to front and right to left. It will look like the two needles have formed an x or a T.

2. Wrap the Yarn Around the Right Needle

Step-by-step tutorial on making the purl stitch. This is step 2Wrap the working yarn from behind and around the right needle in a counterclockwise motion as shown in the photo. Keep some tension on the yarn.

3. Tug the Yarn Downward

Step-by-step tutorial on making the purl stitch. This is step 3With a little tension on the wrap of yarn, bring the tip of the right needle with the wrap of yarn down and through the loop on the left needle to the back side of the left needle.

4. Push the old Stitch Off the Left Needle

Step-by-step tutorial for making the purl stitch. This is the fourth and last step for making the purl stitch.Slip the old stitch off the needle. One purl stitch is completed. Repeat this procedure across the row or for the number of purl stitches required on your pattern.

The Purl Stitch Using the Continental Style

Step One:  Inserting the Needle into the Stitch

Step one of making the purl stitch continental styleInsert the right needle through the stitch on the left needle from left to right and front to back.

Step Two: Wrap the Yarn

step two for knitting the purl stitch with the continental methodSlightly rotate the right needle tip to the right while the pad of your left forefinger brings the yarn between the needles from right to left and down between the needles. Please note, that this step is different for continental knitters. Some use their forefinger as described before, but many also use the middle finger or thumb to accomplish this step.

Step Three: Pull Through

step 3 for knitting the purl stitch, continental styleBring the tip of the right needle with its wrap of yarn through the stitch on the left needle to the back and away from you.

Step Four:  Finish the Stitch

step 4 tutorial for kniting the purl stitch continental styleSlip the old stitch off the left needle, tighten it on the right needle.

Stockinette Stitch

A knitted swatch of stockinette pattern worked in pink woolStockinette Stitch: One row knit stitches, one row purl stitches

The most common way that the purl stitch is combined with the knit stitch is to create the stockinette stitch.  This stitch pattern is created by working one row of knit stitches and then working one row of purl stitches.  These two rows are then worked alternately creating a solid soft textured fabric that is good for a wide variety of projects.  Here is an example of the stockinette stitch.

The yellow stitches are the rows of purl stitches.  The blue portion is both knit and purl.  (One row knit, one row purl and then repeated.)

Learn more about the stockinette stitch.

Stockinette stitch vs purl stitch

More Ideas

There are more variations for the purl stitch than I have room to show on this page.  Please check on my knit and purl stitches for more ideas.

The Purl Stitch:  Pin Now, Knit Later

Pin Image showing the purl stitch and how to make itHow to Make the Purl Stitch, Pin Image

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