Knitting and Purling?

Question

I'm an excellent knitter, except I can not for the life of me figure out how to purl. My mother has tried (and failed) to teach me, and I've read countless articles online on how to purl to no avail.

What is the secret?!?!? Could someone please...I don't know, write out the steps or something? Show a video?

I have found nothing...I want to knit a two-needle hat for a newborn and I need to purl parts for it to look right.

Answer 1

I had to chuckle when I read Momma's explanation.  She is exactly right, it's knitting backwards.  

I've been knitting for 25 years and I've made very intricate patterns on preemie gowns and you'd think that knit vs purl was no biggie, and it's not a huge biggie...but whenever there's a row that is knit, I'm happy to do it, but if it's a purl row, then I sometimes zone out before starting it, even though the purl rows are often brainless (the fancy stitches in the pattern are made on the right side of the work, the knit side and often change with each row, but the purl row is just purling what's on the needle -- I still prefer the right side).  

I like this site for the videos because she shows different methods of doing stitches for each style of knitting (english, continental, etc) http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/purl-...

Answer 2

Have you ever tried to learn/knit continental style?  I find it much easier to purl this way.  Just try to watch someone who does the continental style and maybe it will be easier for you.  

Answer 3

Hi:

The Purl stitch  is the same as the knit stitch, expect that you do it on the from right to the left  vs left to right for the knit stitch. Here some info that might help you:

The following might interest you:

Books :

The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stiches: Over 900 Great Stitches Detailed for Needle Crafters of Every Level

by Reader's Digest Editors (Editor), Reader's Digest Editors-

A most execellent book on the subject { I own one and agree with it} get this book it nothing else-

Learn to Knit

by Shure

The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch: Inspiration and Instruction, Vol. 1

by Sally Melville, Elaine Rowley (Editor), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Xrx Press (Manufactured by)

Beginner Basics (Vogue Knitting on the Go! Series)

by Trisha Malcolm (Editor)

Kids Knitting

by Melanie Falick, Kristin Nicholas (Illustrator), Chris Hartlove (Photographer)

Knitting For Dummies

by Pam Allen, Trisha Malcolm, Rich Tennant (Illustrator), Trisha Malcolm (Foreword by)

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting

by Sharon Turner

Modular Knits: New Techniques for Today's Knitters

by Iris Schreier

Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting

by Donna Kooler

Knitting School: A Complete Course

by Sterling Publishing, RCS LIBRI

Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns

by Staff of Sterling Publishing

Learning to Knit

by BarCharts, Kaaren Ashley

Learn to Knit

by Sue Whiting (Editor)

Learn To Knit

by Penny Hill, New Holland Publishers Ltd (Produced by)

The Learn to Knit a Sweater Book

by Jean Leinhauser

How to Knit

by Debbie Bliss

Knitter's Lib: Learn to Knit, Crochet, and Free Yourself from Pattern Dependency

by Lena Maikon

Teach Yourself Knitting

by Sally J. Walton

The Easy Learn to Knit in Just One Day

by Staff of the American School of Needlework

Start to Knit

by Alison Dupernex

Decorative Knitting: 100 Practical Techniques, 125 Inspirational Ideas: And over 18 Creative Projects

by Kate Haxell, Luise Roberts

Michaels Book of Needlecrafts: Knitting, Crochet and Embroidery

by Dawn Cusick (Editor), Megan Kirby (Editor), Megan Kirby (Editor), Lark Books (Manufactured by)

Perfectly Brilliant Knits

by Melissa Matthay, Sheryl Thies, Sheryl Thies

The Knitter's Handbook

by Eleanor Van Zandt

Beginner's Guide to Knitting

by Alison Dupernex

Complete Book of Knitting

by Barbara Abbey

Video websites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAMD_Xpyb... - this should help you learn the purl stitch

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/tag/knitting/

http://www.surfnetkids.com/video/knittin... - for kids but helpful in learning

http://www.serchee.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwwIyoxNu...

http://www.loomroom.com/

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I think going on You Tube might help you.  I really like this lady's series on teaching knitting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKgmkneSq...

I teach knitting and I tell my students that purling is basically backwards knitting.  If you insert your needle into the first loop going downwards and underneath for knitting, you will insert it upwards and on top for purling.  And, I tell them, if it feels awkward, then it's probably right!  (I don't really like purling much.)  : )  Good luck!