What purling is and why you need it
A purl is the reverse of a knit stitch. Where a knit stitch pulls the working yarn from back to front, a purl pulls it from front to back. On the finished fabric, a knit stitch looks like a small V, and a purl looks like a bump or horizontal line. Most knitting patterns use both stitches together to create texture, pattern, and structure — you cannot make ribbing, garter stitch, or stockinette without knowing how to purl.
The mechanics are nearly identical to a knit stitch, but the yarn position and needle movement are reversed. Once you can knit smoothly, purling takes about as long to learn as it took to master your first stitch.
Key Takeaways
- A purl stitch is worked with the yarn in front of the needles, whereas a knit stitch is worked with the yarn in back.
- Insert the right needle through the stitch from right to left (the opposite direction from a knit), wrap the yarn, and pull a new loop through.
- Purling creates a bumpy texture on the front of the fabric; knitting creates a V texture.
- Alternating knit and purl rows creates garter stitch, which looks the same on both sides and is one of the most common stitch patterns.
Step-by-step: How to purl with yarn in front
Start with your working yarn in front of your needles — this is the opposite of the knit position. Hold your needles the same way you do for knitting: the needle with live stitches in your left hand, the empty needle in your right hand.
Insert the right needle through the first stitch on the left needle from right to left — again, the opposite direction from a knit stitch. The right needle should pass through the stitch going away from you. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle from right to left (counterclockwise if you are looking at the needle head-on). Pull the right needle back through the stitch, bringing the new loop with it. Slip the old stitch off the left needle. You have completed one purl stitch.
The motion feels awkward at first because your hand has to move differently than it does for knitting. Many knitters find it helpful to keep the yarn in front consistently while purling, rather than moving it back and forth between stitches. Once you finish a row of purls, move the yarn to the back before you start a row of knits.
Common mistakes when learning to purl
The most frequent error is inserting the needle in the wrong direction. For a knit stitch, you go left to right; for a purl, you go right to left. If you insert the needle the knit way while purling, you will twist the stitch and create a distorted fabric.
Another common problem is tension. Purl stitches often come out looser than knit stitches because the yarn is farther from the needle tip. If your purls are noticeably looser, try pulling the working yarn a little tighter as you wrap it around the needle, or tighten the loop on the needle after you pull it through.
Some knitters accidentally move the yarn to the back mid-row, which creates an accidental yarn over (a small hole in the fabric). Keep the yarn in front for the entire purl row, and move it only when you switch to knitting.
Garter stitch: The easiest pattern using purls
Garter stitch is made by knitting every row, or by purling every row — both create the same bumpy, reversible fabric. If you want to practice purling without learning a complex pattern, knit one row, then purl one row, and repeat. This is called stockinette stitch, and it creates a smooth V-textured side (the knit side) and a bumpy side (the purl side).
Garter stitch lies flat and does not curl at the edges, which makes it popular for blankets, scarves, and dishcloths. Because every row looks the same, it is straightforward to count rows and keep track of where you are in a pattern. Many beginners use garter stitch to build confidence with purling before moving to more complex stitches.
Ribbing: Alternating knits and purls on the same row
Ribbing is made by alternating knit and purl stitches on the same row — for example, knit one, purl one, knit one, purl one across the entire row. The next row reverses the pattern: you purl over the knits and knit over the purls. This creates vertical lines of texture that stretch and recover well, which is why ribbing is used on cuffs, necklines, and the edges of fitted garments.
Ribbing requires you to move the yarn between front and back multiple times per row. After you knit a stitch, bring the yarn to the front before you purl. After you purl, move the yarn to the back before you knit. The rhythm becomes automatic after a few rows, and many knitters find ribbing meditative once they develop the muscle memory.
Tension and speed: Getting comfortable with purling
Purling is slower than knitting for most people, especially at first. Your hands are working in an unfamiliar position, and the yarn is in front of the needles instead of behind them. This is normal. Speed comes with repetition, not effort — do not try to rush.
If you notice your purl stitches are consistently tighter or looser than your knit stitches, adjust your grip on the working yarn. Some knitters hold the yarn differently for purling than for knitting, which can affect tension. Experiment with wrapping the yarn around different fingers until the tension feels even across both stitch types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my purl stitches look twisted?
You are likely inserting the needle in the knit direction (left to right) instead of the purl direction (right to left). For a purl, the right needle should go through the stitch away from you. Check your needle insertion direction on the next row.
Can I purl if I knit continental style?
Yes. Continental knitting (holding the yarn in your left hand) actually makes purling easier for many people because you do not have to move your yarn hand as far. The needle insertion direction stays the same — right to left for a purl.
What is the difference between a purl and a knit stitch in the finished fabric?
A knit stitch creates a V shape on the front of the fabric. A purl creates a horizontal bump or ridge. When you knit one row and purl the next, the knit side shows Vs and the purl side shows bumps — this is stockinette stitch.
Do I have to purl, or can I just knit?
You can knit garter stitch (knit every row) without ever purling, and many straightforward projects use only knit stitches. However, most patterns require purling to create texture and structure. Learning to purl opens up far more design options.