4 Purl stitch – a step-by-step guide

Working a purl stitch is the next step once you know how to make a slip knot and cast on and work a knit stitch. Just follow these step-by-step instructions.

Purl – step 1

Purl stitch step 1

About to knit the fifth stitch in the row. The yarn is at the front of the work and at the moment there are four stitches on the right-hand needle.

Purl – step 2

Purl stitch step 2

Insert right needle through next stitch on left-hand needle, taking the needle from right of stitch through the middle towards the front.

Purl – step 3

Purl stitch step 3

Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle in an anticlockwise direction. 

Purl – step 4

Purl stitch step4

Take the yarn between the needles and back towards the right. 

Purl – step 5

Purl stitch step 5

Take the right-hand needle through the middle of the stitch, sliding under the left-hand needle towards the back, taking the yarn with you – it’s now forming a loop on the right-hand needle.

Purl – step 6

Purl stitch step 6

Slip the original stitch off the left-hand needle, leaving the new loop (now the stitch) on the right-hand needle. There are now five stitches on the right-hand needle