Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The Purl Stitch

The next thing to learn in your journey to becoming a knitter is the purl stitch. The purl stitch is the one that looks like a bunch of bumps or --'s. Together, the knit stitch and the purl stitch yield unlimited possibilities. These two stitches can be combined to make many different patterns, garments, and accessories. It really amazes me just how much these two stitches can do when they get together. As a previous post stated, these directions are in the Eastern European Style.

Here is a step by step guide to the purl stitch. The video is below. As with the knit stitch, you'll need a cast on row or a row of knit and/or purls. When referring to the needle with all of the stitches already on it, I'll call it the populated needle and the other needle will be referred to as the empty needle.

Step 1. Hold the needles with your cast on/knitted/purled stitches from your previous row in your left hand. The empty needle on your right hand.

Step 2. Stick the empty needle through the front of the stitch closest to the pointy end of the populated needle.

Step 3. Wrap the yarn around the empty needle, like you did with the knit stitch.

Step 4. Pull the yarn through the stitch on the populated needle.

Step 5. Slip the stitch from the populated needle off of the populated needle and drop it. Now you have a stitch on the empty needle.

Repeat these steps until all of your stitches are on the needle that was initially empty.

Turn your work and switch the needles like you did with the knit stitch. The needle with the stitches will now be in your left hand and the empty one will be in your right hand. Repeat until you feel comfortable with the purl stitch.

One thing to keep in mind. If you purl every row, you will end up with the garter stitch. If you alternate knit rows and purl rows you'll end up with the stockinette stitch.

Here is the video:

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have recently discovered that purling the Eastern European method is much easier than the traditional way I was originally taught. However, purling this way necessitates knitting through the back of the stitch on the next row (done the way you do it in your tutorial). I look forward to meeting you at the next NOLA Knit and Stitch meeting so we can compare the way we hold the yarn in the left hand. (I think my way is easier!)

Anonymous said...

I would have had better luck watching the tutorial over your shoulder, instead of watching you knitting from the front.