Your basket is empty.
Continue Shopping
Switching Between Knit + Purl
Learning to switch between knit and purl stitches within a single row of knitting will give you instant access to all of the beautiful textures and patterns you can find in knitting.
When a row in knitting includes both knits and purls you have to prepare the working yarn so it is properly positioned to make the next stitch. For knit stitches, this means making sure that the working yarn is coming from the back of the work and, for purl stitches, that the working yarn is coming from the front of the work. In the case of a 1 x 1 rib or seed stitch, both of which alternate between 1 knit and 1 purl, you have to move your working yarn back and forth between every single stitch.
Here’s our switching between knits and purls tutorial where we show you how we do it…
SWITCHING BETWEEN KNIT + PURL : STEP-BY-STEP
Here we’re demonstrating the seed stitch version of our Learn To Knit scarf. Like 1×1 rib, seed stitch is a knit 1, purl 1 pattern. To get started, make a knit stitch like normal: with the yarn coming from the back of the work, insert the right needle into the stitch and knit it.
Now bring the working yarn forward between the needles so it is in the proper position to purl.
Purl the next stitch as usual.
Bring the working yarn back between the needles so it is ready to knit.
That’s switching between knit and purl stitches! You’re ready to work 1×1 rib, seed stitch, and so many more beautiful stitch patterns!
Tutorial written by Whitney Van Nes for Purl Soho.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our knitting patterns (including tons of free knitting patterns) and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Do you have a recommended method for switching between knit and purl for the continental knitting (holding yarn in left hand)?
Hi Susan,
Great question! You can do a similar method of moving your yarn between your needle tips–just with your left hand instead of your right! I’d recommend practicing this in a ribbing or seed stitch so that you can figure out exactly what motions work best for you.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you
Knitting the classic ribbed hat and when completed the cuff and started the body of the hat the 5×3 rib from the earlier 2×2 rib I got gaps between knit and purls. I pulled tight after the purls not sure if I should switch to smaller needles? Any suggestions?
Hi Laura!
Thank you for writing in! Here’s a few things you can try: Gently tug the yarn after the first purl stitch in each repeat rather than pulling tightly. Over-tightening can actually exaggerate the gaps. Make sure your tension stays even across the knit-to-purl transition. If the fabric still feels too loose, you could try going down one needle size for the body. Often, though, these gaps soften and settle after blocking, so if it’s minor, I’d recommend knitting a bit more before deciding to make a change. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan