Knowing how to knit purl enables you to knit in rib, stocking stitch and more. Watch our video of expert knitter Rachel Ong demonstrating how to do the purl stitch.
Row one
Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the other needle in your right hand.
To learn more about how to cast on see our video 'How To Cast On'.
Push the tip of the right needle up into the first stitch on the left needed, so that it crosses in front of the left needle.
Keep the yarn to the front of your needles.
Holding the yarn nice and tight in your hand, wrap it around the tip of the right needle, counter clockwise.
Gently start to pull the tip of the right needle back towards you through the first loop, taking the yarn with it.
Slowly pull the right needle all the way through.
Don't pull too hard though or you will pull the needle right out.
Carefully pull this new loop to the tip of the left needle and let the loop slide off.
Your first purl stitch is now on the right needle!
Purl all the cast on stitches in the same way to produce a row of purled stitches.
Row two
Purl your second row in exactly the same way as the first and watch as your purled fabric begins to grow.
Stocking stitch, or stockinette stitch
Instead of purling your second row, you can knit it instead. This will create what is called the stockinette stitch.
One side of your fabric will be smooth and the other will be bumpy, giving a very professional finish.
The stockinette stitch is a popular choice for knitters everywhere and will allow you to knit almost anything you want.
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