Stitch Description
The knit and purl stitches are the two fundamental stitches in knitting. Mastering it will allow you to create a variety of textures and patterns. In this tutorial, we will go over the basics of the knit and purl stitch, including how to hold your needles and yarn, and step-by-step instructions for making the stitch.
Materials Needed
- Yarn (use a medium to bulky weight)
- Knitting needles (size 8/4mm to 13/9mm)
Holding Your Needles and Yarn
- Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand.
- Wrap the working yarn around your right or left index finger (depending on whether or not you’re knitting English or Continental style) to control the tension.
- Hold the empty needle in your right hand.
Knit and Purl Video Tutorial
Knit Stitch
Knit Abbreviation: k
Making the Knit Stitch
- Insert the Right Needle: Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from front to back. The right needle should be behind the left needle.
- Wrap the Yarn: Wrap the working yarn around the right needle, moving it counterclockwise.
- Draw Through the Loop: Use the right needle to draw the wrapped yarn through the stitch on the left needle, creating a new loop on the right needle.
- Slip the Old Stitch Off: Slip the old stitch off the left needle, leaving the new stitch on the right needle.
- Repeat: Repeat steps 1-4 for each stitch on the left needle until you have worked all the stitches.
Continue Knitting
Once you have worked all the stitches from the left needle to the right needle, you have completed one row of knit stitches. Transfer the needle with the stitches to your left hand and the empty needle to your right hand to start the next row.
Practice
Practice the knit stitch until you feel comfortable. As you become more confident, you can start experimenting with different yarns and needle sizes.
Purl Stitch
Purl Abbreviation: p
Making the Purl Stitch
- Insert the Right Needle: Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from back to front. The right needle should be in front of the left needle.
- Pick the Yarn: Use the tip of the right needle to pick the working yarn, which is held in your left hand, by scooping it from right to left and front to back.
- Draw Through the Loop: Use the right needle to draw the picked yarn through the stitch on the left needle, creating a new loop on the right needle.
- Slip the Old Stitch Off: Slip the old stitch off the left needle, leaving the new stitch on the right needle.
- Repeat: Repeat steps 1-4 for each stitch on the left needle until you have worked all the stitches.
Continue Purling
Once you have worked all the stitches from the left needle to the right needle, you have completed one row of purl stitches. Transfer the needle with the stitches to your left hand and the empty needle to your right hand to start the next row.
Practice
Practice the purl stitch until you feel comfortable. As you become more confident, you can start experimenting with different yarns and needle sizes.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Tension: If your stitches are too tight, try purling more loosely. If they’re too loose, try tightening your grip on the yarn.
- Dropped Stitches: If you drop a stitch, use a crochet hook to pick it up and place it back on the needle.
- Consistent Size: Aim for consistent stitch size. This will come with practice.