If you are learning to knit, knit vs purl is one of the first important differences to understand. These are the two basic stitches used to create most knitted fabrics. Although they are made with different hand movements, they are closely related: the front of a knit stitch looks like the back of a purl stitch, and the front of a purl stitch looks like the back of a knit stitch.
The key difference is how you insert the needle and where the working yarn is positioned. Once you understand these two stitches, you can create ribbing, stockinette stitch, garter stitch, seed stitch, cables, and many more patterns.
Quick Answer
Knit and purl are the two basic knitting stitches, but they are made differently and create different textures on the fabric. In a knit stitch, the working yarn is generally held at the back of the work as you insert the needle into the stitch. In a purl stitch, the yarn is brought to the front. The two stitches are reverse sides of each other, which makes them extremely useful for creating patterns and textures.
Knit vs Purl at a Glance
| Feature | Knit | Purl |
|---|---|---|
| Basic function | Creates a fundamental stitch | Creates a fundamental stitch |
| Yarn position | Usually behind the work | Usually in front of the work |
| Needle movement | Needle enters the stitch from the front in the standard method | Needle enters the stitch from the front with the yarn positioned in front |
| Appearance on the front | Looks like a small “V” | Looks like a horizontal bump |
| Appearance on the back | Looks like a horizontal bump | Looks like a small “V” |
| Common use | Stockinette, garter stitch, many textured patterns | Stockinette, ribbing, seed stitch, textured patterns |
| Difficulty | Basic | Basic |
What Is a Knit Stitch?
A knit stitch is one of the two fundamental stitches in knitting. It is commonly abbreviated as K in knitting patterns.
When you make a standard knit stitch, you work with the yarn behind the needles. The working needle enters the stitch, catches the yarn, and draws a new loop through.
The exact hand movement can feel awkward at first, but with practice it becomes automatic.
What Does a Knit Stitch Look Like?
On the front side of knitted fabric, knit stitches usually look like small V-shaped loops.
For example:
V V V V V
These V shapes are one of the easiest visual clues for identifying knit stitches.
The back of a knit stitch has a raised horizontal bump. This is why the same stitch can look completely different depending on which side of the fabric you are viewing.
What Is a Purl Stitch?
A purl stitch is the other basic stitch in knitting. It is commonly abbreviated as P in knitting patterns.
For a standard purl stitch, you bring the working yarn to the front of the work before making the stitch. The needle is then used to draw the yarn through the existing loop.
Purling can feel less natural to beginners because the movement is different from knitting, but it is just as fundamental.
What Does a Purl Stitch Look Like?
On the front side of knitted fabric, purl stitches usually appear as small horizontal bumps.
For example:
— — — — —
These bumps are the characteristic visual feature of purling.
Interestingly, the back of a purl stitch looks like the front of a knit stitch. This is why knit and purl are often described as two sides of the same basic stitch structure.
The Main Difference Between Knit and Purl
The biggest practical difference is the way the stitch is worked and the position of the yarn.
- Knit: The working yarn is generally behind the work.
- Purl: The working yarn is brought to the front of the work.
The finished stitches also look different when viewed from the front:
- Knit stitch: V-shaped appearance
- Purl stitch: Horizontal bump
However, there is an important detail to remember: a knit stitch viewed from the back looks like a purl stitch, while a purl stitch viewed from the back looks like a knit stitch.
That relationship becomes very important when following knitting patterns.
Knit vs Purl: How They Look
A simple way to remember the appearance is:
Knit = V
Purl = bump
When looking at the side of the fabric facing you, a row of knit stitches creates a series of V shapes. A row of purl stitches creates a series of raised bumps.
This difference allows knitters to create patterns simply by alternating the two stitches.
For example:
Knit: V V V V V
Purl: — — — — —
The exact appearance can vary depending on yarn, needle size, tension, and the finished fabric, but the basic distinction remains.
How to Knit a Knit Stitch
The standard knit stitch can be broken into a few basic steps:
- Hold the working yarn behind the work.
- Insert the right needle into the next stitch on the left needle.
- Wrap or catch the working yarn.
- Pull the new loop through the existing stitch.
- Move the old stitch off the left needle.
The result is one new knit stitch.
Beginners often benefit from practicing slowly rather than trying to maintain speed immediately. Consistent tension is more important than knitting quickly.
How to Make a Purl Stitch
The standard purl stitch also follows a basic sequence:
- Bring the working yarn to the front of the work.
- Insert the right needle into the next stitch.
- Wrap or catch the working yarn.
- Pull the new loop through.
- Slide the old stitch off the left needle.
The result is one new purl stitch.
The main movement that beginners need to remember is bringing the yarn to the front before working the purl.
Why Knit and Purl Are So Important
Most basic knitting is built from knit stitches, purl stitches, or combinations of the two.
Changing between these stitches allows you to control the texture, appearance, stretch, and structure of the fabric.
For example:
- Knit stitches can create smooth V-shaped surfaces.
- Purl stitches can create raised textures.
- Alternating knit and purl stitches can create ribbing.
- Repeating combinations can create seed stitch.
- Different rows can produce stockinette stitch.
- More complicated patterns can combine them with decreases, increases, cables, and other techniques.
Learning knit and purl therefore gives you the foundation for understanding many knitting patterns.
Knit and Purl in Common Knitting Patterns
Stockinette Stitch
Stockinette stitch is one of the most familiar knitted fabrics.
When working flat, a common stockinette pattern is:
- Knit one row.
- Purl the next row.
- Repeat.
The result is a smooth side with visible V-shaped stitches and a reverse side with purl bumps.
When working stockinette in the round, you typically knit every round because you are always working from the same side of the fabric.
Garter Stitch
Garter stitch is commonly made by knitting every row when working flat.
This creates a fabric with ridges rather than a smooth stockinette surface.
Although purl stitches are not required for the basic flat version, purling can also be used to create the same fabric structure when the appropriate rows are worked.
Ribbing
Ribbing is commonly used for cuffs, necklines, waistbands, and other areas where stretch is useful.
A simple 1×1 rib alternates:
Knit 1, purl 1
The pattern is often written as:
K1, P1
Other ribbing patterns include 2×2 ribbing:
K2, P2
The combination of knit and purl stitches creates vertical columns and gives the fabric additional elasticity.
Seed Stitch
Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches to create a small, textured surface.
A simple version might alternate:
K1, P1
On the following row, the stitches are worked so that knit stitches are placed over purl stitches and purl stitches over knit stitches.
The result is a bumpy, textured fabric.
How to Remember Knit vs Purl
A simple memory trick can make the difference easier to remember:
Knit = yarn in back.
Purl = yarn in front.
For appearance, remember:
Knit = V
Purl = bump
You can also remember that knit and purl are mirror-like opposites. The side that looks like a knit stitch from one direction can look like a purl stitch from the other side.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Forgetting to Move the Yarn
One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to move the yarn between the back and front of the work.
If a pattern says:
K1, P1
you need to move the yarn to the front before making the purl stitch.
Before making the next knit stitch, move the yarn back behind the work.
2. Adding an Extra Loop
If the yarn moves incorrectly between stitches, it can accidentally pass over the needle and create an extra loop.
This may produce an unintended yarn over, which increases the number of stitches.
If your stitch count suddenly increases, check whether the yarn accidentally crossed over the needle between stitches.
3. Confusing the Front and Back
Beginners sometimes look at a purl bump and assume they made a mistake because it does not look like a V.
Remember that purl bumps are supposed to look different. The important question is which side of the fabric you are viewing and what the pattern tells you to make.
4. Pulling the Yarn Too Tightly
New knitters sometimes pull the yarn very tightly after every stitch.
This can make the stitches difficult to work on the next row and can create uneven tension.
Aim for a consistent, comfortable tension rather than trying to make every stitch extremely tight.
Knit vs Purl: Which One Should You Use?
There is no single stitch that is universally better.
The right choice depends on the pattern and the fabric you want to create.
Use knit stitches when the pattern calls for them or when you want to create V-shaped stitches on the side you are viewing.
Use purl stitches when the pattern calls for them or when you want purl bumps on the side you are viewing.
For many projects, you will use both.
The goal is not to choose between knitting and purling permanently. Instead, learn to switch comfortably between the two.
What Does K1 and P1 Mean?
Knitting patterns often use abbreviations to save space.
- K = knit
- P = purl
- K1 = knit one stitch
- P1 = purl one stitch
- K2 = knit two stitches
- P2 = purl two stitches
So if a pattern says:
K1, P1 across the row
you should knit one stitch, then purl one stitch, and continue alternating across the row.
Learning these abbreviations makes knitting patterns much easier to read.
Can You Knit Without Knowing How to Purl?
Yes, you can make some simple projects without learning to purl, but knowing how to purl greatly expands what you can do.
Some projects can be made primarily or entirely with knit stitches. However, many common fabrics and patterns require both stitches.
If you are learning to knit, it is worth becoming comfortable with both knit and purl rather than avoiding purling altogether.
Are Knit and Purl the Same Stitch?
They are not exactly the same working action, but they are closely related.
A knit stitch made from one side of the fabric appears as a purl-like bump on the opposite side. Likewise, a purl stitch appears as a knit-like V on the opposite side.
This is why knit and purl can be thought of as the two basic faces of knitted fabric.
The difference is especially important when reading a pattern because the stitch you see may depend on which side of the work is facing you.
FAQs
Is knit or purl easier for beginners?
Many beginners find the knit stitch easier because its movement often feels more straightforward at first. However, difficulty varies from person to person. Once you practice both stitches, purling usually becomes much more familiar.
What is the easiest way to tell knit from purl?
Look at the fabric. Knit stitches usually look like V shapes, while purl stitches usually look like horizontal bumps on the side facing you.
Does purling make the opposite side look like knitting?
Yes. The reverse side of a purl stitch has the appearance associated with a knit stitch. This is one reason knit and purl are closely connected.
What does K2 P2 mean in knitting?
K2 P2 means to knit two stitches and then purl two stitches. The sequence is repeated as directed by the pattern. This combination is commonly used for ribbing.
Do you need both knit and purl stitches?
Not for every project, but learning both is highly useful. Many common knitting patterns use combinations of knit and purl stitches to create different textures and structures.
Why does my knit stitch look like a purl?
You may be looking at the reverse side of the fabric. A knit stitch has a V-shaped appearance on one side and a purl-like bump on the other. Check which side of your work is facing you before deciding that a stitch is wrong.
Conclusion
Knit vs purl comes down to two basic stitches that work together to create knitted fabric. Knit stitches typically appear as V shapes, while purl stitches appear as raised horizontal bumps. The working yarn is generally behind the work for a knit stitch and in front for a purl stitch.
Once you can comfortably make both stitches, you can follow a much wider range of knitting patterns. Start by practicing simple rows of knit stitches, then add purl stitches and try basic combinations such as K1, P1 ribbing.
