Now that you’ve learnt how to cast on and knit your first stitches, it’s time to get fancy! Once you have mastered both the knit and purl stitches, you will be equipped to knit all sorts of intricate patterns. By using the purl stitch, you will also be able to give your work a smooth and neat finish, unlike the bumpy rows you get when using a knit stitch only.

A purl stitch is usually done on the “wrong side” of your knitting project, this means it is done on the side that will end up being the back or hidden part of your final project. It is also used to add to the ribbing of beanies and jerseys etc. 

To demonstrate how to make the stitch, I have once again put together a video tutorial for you, showing the steps. Please see the video below. To reiterate this demonstration, I will also write out each step.

Learn To Knit: The Purl Stitch (Stocking Stitch)

Learn how to do a purl stitch with these simple steps.

1. Holding your needle with the stitches in your left and, take your empty needle in your right hand.
2. Slide your right needle DOWN (from the top of the stitch) and into your first stitch, keeping it to the front of the left needle.
3. Take your working wool (yarn) and move it around the right (front) needle only, so that it lies in between the X you have formed. That is, move it around the back of the needle, to the front.
4. Slip the loop you have formed on to the right needle.
5. There you have your very first purl stitch!

Repeat this action on each of the stitches for the rest of your row. If you would like to create a stocking stitch, that is a smooth surface of purl stitches, then the next row will be a plain knit row. So, you will knit one row and the purl one row, repeating these rows until your work is finished.

In case you missed the first few entries from Knitting With @sweetpea, you can find them here:

  01 - Learn To Knit: Matching Yarn And Needle Sizes  

  02 - Learn To Knit: That First Stitch   

  03 - Learn To Knit: Casting On The First Row Of Stitches   

  04 - Learn How To Knit With @sweetpea: The Knit Stitch (Garter Stitch)  

Much love - @sweetpea

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