The purl stitch is the reverse of a knit stitch

A purl stitch is made by inserting your needle from right to left through a loop on your left needle, wrapping the yarn in front of the needle instead of behind it, and pulling a new loop through. The result looks like a bump or ridge on the side facing you. If a knit stitch looks like a V, a purl stitch looks like a horizontal bar.

Most knitting patterns use purls alongside knits to create texture and pattern. Ribbing (the stretchy cuff on a sweater) alternates knits and purls. Stockinette stitch — the smooth fabric on most sweaters — is knit rows on one side and purl rows on the other. Learning to purl is essential before you can make most finished garments.

The motion is similar to a knit stitch but reversed. Once you practice it a few times, the hand position becomes automatic.

Key Takeaways

  • A purl stitch is made by inserting the needle from right to left, keeping yarn in front, and pulling a new loop through the old one.
  • The purl stitch creates a bumpy texture on the side facing you and is the reverse side of a knit stitch.
  • Purls are used in nearly every knitting pattern to create texture, ribbing, and reversible fabrics.
  • Your tension should match your knit stitches so your finished fabric looks even and professional.

Hold the yarn in front before you insert the needle

The key difference between a knit and a purl is where the yarn sits before you insert the needle. For a purl, the working yarn (the yarn attached to your ball) must be in front of your work, not behind it. If you just finished a knit row, bring the yarn forward between the needles before you start purling.

Some knitters keep the yarn in front for the entire purl row. Others move it back and forth if they are alternating knits and purls on the same row. Either method works — choose whichever feels natural to your hands.

Insert the needle from right to left through the loop

Hold the needle with the stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Push the right needle through the first loop on the left needle, but go from right to left — the opposite direction from a knit stitch. The right needle should pass in front of the left needle, not behind it.

Your right needle tip should come out on the left side of the loop, with the working yarn already in front of both needles. This setup is what makes the purl stitch different from the knit.

Wrap the yarn and pull the new loop through

With the right needle positioned through the loop and the yarn in front, wrap the working yarn around the right needle tip from right to left. Use the same motion you would for a knit stitch — the direction is the same, only the needle position changes.

Pull the right needle backward and down, drawing the new loop through the old loop on the left needle. The new loop stays on the right needle. Drop the old loop off the left needle. You have completed one purl stitch.

Keep your tension consistent with your knit stitches

Purl stitches often look looser than knit stitches when you are learning, because the yarn path is longer and your hands are less familiar with the motion. Pay attention to how tightly you pull the yarn as you complete each purl. Your purls should be the same tightness as your knits so the finished fabric looks even.

If your purls are noticeably looser, try pulling the yarn a little tighter as you draw the new loop through. If they are too tight, relax your grip slightly. Consistency matters more than perfect tension — uneven tension is more noticeable than slightly loose or tight stitches throughout.

Practice purling in rows before combining with knits

Purl an entire row by repeating the same steps for every loop on your needle. A row of all purls creates a bumpy, textured fabric called garter stitch when you alternate purl rows with knit rows. This is a good way to practice the motion without thinking about pattern changes.

Once you are comfortable purling a full row, try alternating knit and purl stitches on the same row. This is how ribbing is made. The rhythm of knit-purl-knit-purl becomes automatic after a few rows, and your hands will remember the needle position for each stitch without you thinking about it.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The most common error is forgetting to bring the yarn to the front before you start purling. If your stitches look twisted or your fabric is bunching up, check that the yarn is positioned in front of the needles before you insert. The second common mistake is inserting the needle from the wrong direction — always go from right to left for a purl, not left to right.

If your purls are much looser than your knits, you may be pulling the yarn too gently or letting the loop sit too far from the needle tip. Move the new loop closer to the needle tip as you pull it through, and pull with the same pressure you use for knit stitches. If you are having trouble remembering which direction to insert the needle, practice the motion slowly without yarn until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a knit and a purl stitch?

A knit stitch is made by inserting the needle from left to right with yarn in back. A purl stitch is made by inserting the needle from right to left with yarn in front. They create opposite textures — a knit looks like a V, and a purl looks like a bump. Together they form most knitting patterns.

Why do my purl stitches look looser than my knits?

Purl stitches often look looser because the yarn path is longer and your hands are less practiced with the motion. Pull the yarn with the same tension you use for knits, and move the new loop closer to the needle tip as you complete the stitch. Consistency across many rows will even out any slight differences.

Can I purl on circular needles?

Yes. The stitch itself is identical — insert from right to left with yarn in front. The only difference is that you are working in a circle instead of back and forth in rows. The needle motion and hand position stay the same.

Do I have to move the yarn to the front for every purl stitch?

If you are purling an entire row, you can leave the yarn in front for all stitches. If you are alternating knits and purls on the same row, you will move the yarn back and forth between stitches. Either way works — choose whichever feels easier for your hands and rhythm.