The knit stitch is absolutely critical in knitting, but the purl stitch is just as essential. The purl and the knit stitches are all that are needed to get started.
Knitting is, at its most basic form, making two stitches in certain sequences: the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Almost every knitting technique is possible using one or both of these two stitches, or combining them with yarn overs. These stitches are really and truly just the beginning.
Making a Purl Stitch
Always remember to keep the working yarn in front of the needles when making a purl. Purling can be executed into any row, including the foundation row.
When a purl stitch is needed, place the right needle into the next stitch on the left needle as shown in Figure 1. In this picture, ten stitches have been cast on in long-tail (the cast on method doesn’t matter when purling). The first row is half-way stitched with purls, and another purl is going to be made into the next stitch on the left needle. Place the right needle under the live stitch, being sure to approach from the right, on top of the left needle and under the yarn.
Figure 2 illustrates using the English, or “throw” method. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle from right to left. Pull the wrapped yarn down firmly but carefully. The needles should look like Figure 3. The goal is to get the thrown yarn under the right needle and up, but without pulling out the live stitch, as shown in Figure 4.
Finally, pull the new live stitch on to the right needle. It should look like Figure 5. There should now be 6 live stitches on the right needle.
Continuing On After the Purl
Continue as the pattern states, or if not using a pattern, go on to experiment with different design elements until the proper look is achieved. Items can be made solely from knit stitches, from purl stitches, or from a combination of both. Beginners can design using just these two stitches. Of course, more techniques are available when a knitter is ready, but mastering these two stitches before anything else is paramount before moving further.
After learning these, the next technique to master is the yarn over. It’s surprising how much more can be made when this stitch is added to a knitting arsenal. But, get a firm understanding of the purl and knit stitches before moving on by making an item that requires a bit of repetition of the two. How else would scarves have become the most often-knitted first project?
Additional information can be found at Knit Cast On—Long Tail Method , Knit Cast-On Topics, and Knit Gauge Swatching Topics.
