how to knit purl

But how to change from a knit stitch to a purl stitch, and back again ( k1,p1, k1, p1) as you do when knitting a rib pattern often becomes confusing.

To clear up this confusion we’ll go through it step-by-step with the photos below.

In our example we are using a 2 stitch knit purl rib. Within a knitting pattern this rib would be written in one of the following ways - they all mean the same thing.

k2, p2, k2, p2 - meaning knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches

OR * k2, p2. repeat from * to end - meaning knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches, then keep on doing the same thing over and over again from * to the end of your row. ie k2,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2, until you run out of stitches on that row.

OR (k2,p2) x 5 or (k2,p2) 5 times - both descriptions mean you repeat whatever appears between the ( ) by the number outside - similar to school maths. In this example shown here you would k2,p2 5 times and then continue with the rest of the instructions written for that row.

Obviously k1,p1 means knit 1 stitch then purl next 1 stitch. K4,p4, means knit 4 stitches, purl next 4 stitches.

Now onto our knit purl rib stitch example : k2, p2, to end of row ( if you are using dial up these photos may take a little while to load)

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With what will be the right side (RS) of your work facing you knit the first 2 stitches. K2

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You should now have 2 knitted stitches on your right hand needle.

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Keeping your yarn at the back of your work - in the knit stitch position - pull yarn up between the two needles.

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Now pull your yarn to the font between your two needles, getting ready for the purl stitch. (do not take the yarn over the top of the needle or you will have a hole instead of the knit-purl combination).

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Now purl this stitch as you would normally purl any stitch.

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You now have 2 knit stitches followed by 1 purl stitch on your right hand needle.

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Purl the next stitch on your left hand needle and you will have 2 knit stitches followed by 2 purl stitches on your right hand needle. This is your knit purl combination of K2,p2.

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Take yarn backwards between your two needles to begin the next knit stitch.

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Your yarn is now at the back and ready to knit the next stitch.

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Knit the stitch, then knit the following stitch on your left hand needle. (k2.)

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You have now completed the sequence k2,p2,k2 ( knit purl knit) and are ready for the next p2.

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You are now ready for your next 2 purl stitches stitches.

Once you've finished the above go back to photo 3 and repeat the steps you used to make your last p2. This is a loop, repeat the loop until you’ve completed the required number of rib stitches.

NOTE : There are a couple of things to be aware of when using a rib stitch as part of a knitting pattern.

Firstly - ribs are usually knitted on needles 1 or 2 sizes smaller (thinner) than the rest of the item.

Secondly - when your pattern says “ change to larger size needles and commence stocking stitch”, begin with a knit row. This means the smooth (RS) will be facing you.

Remember : When knitting knit purl rib you move the yarn between the needles not over the top. Wrapping the yarn over the top of the needle will result in an unplanned hole and you will have added another stitch to your stitch count (try it yourself to see what I mean).

YON, k2tog

I hope you try the above rib pattern.

If you don’t have a particular project in mind find a little spare wool or yarn and a set of straight needles (say 8ply/dk/3/light worsted yarn and 4mm needles) cast on 20 stitches using cable cast on method and knit yourself a sample square.

Try k2,p2 repeat to end of row. Knit 10 or so rows, then change and k1,p1 to end of row. See the difference in appearance and flexibility.

Go to Houghton Avenue yarn craft ideas home page Top of this knit purl instruction page.