How to Identify Knit and Purl Rows in Your Knitting: A Guide for Beginners

Knitting is a beautiful and popular craft that can create various textures and patterns. One fundamental aspect of knitting is understanding the difference between a knit row and a purl row. By mastering this skill, you can ensure your knitting projects turn out as intended and meet the design requirements. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you identify these rows efficiently.

Stitch Appearance

The appearance of stitches, whether they are knit or purl, can be a clear indicator of the row type.

Knit Stitch

Front (Right Side) Appearance: The front (or right side) of a knit stitch typically has a smooth V-shaped appearance. These V’s are created by the yarns lying flat and running from the back to the front of the fabric. Back (Wrong Side) Appearance: The back (or wrong side) of a knit stitch will present a more bumpy texture. This can be due to the loops lying flat, creating a series of lines and ridges running across the fabric.

Purl Stitch

Front (Right Side) Appearance: On the front side of the fabric, a purl stitch appears as a bump or small mound. This is created by the front leg of the stitch crossing over the back leg. Back (Wrong Side) Appearance: The back (wrong side) of a purl stitch will again show a smoother texture with V-shaped indentations. This is because the front leg is now lying flat, making it less visible from the back.

Row Orientation

Another effective method to identify rows is to observe the orientation of the stitches on the fabric.

Knit Row: If the row has V shapes on the front (right side) of the fabric, it is a knit row. The V’s represent the front leg of the stitches. Purl Row: Conversely, if the row has bumps on the front (right side) of the fabric, it is a purl row. The bumps represent the front leg of the purl stitches.

Pattern Instructions

When following a knitting pattern, the instructions will typically specify the type of stitch to use for each row. This is particularly useful in patterns like stockinette stitch, where you knit one row and purl the next. Some patterns may also include diagrams or charts to assist with stitch identification.

Working Yarn Position

A practical way to determine if you are in a knit or purl row is by examining the position of the working yarn.

Knit Stitch: For knit stitches, the working yarn is generally held at the back of the work. This ensures that the stitch is carried from the back of the fabric to the front, creating the smooth V-shape. Purl Stitch: Conversely, for purl stitches, the working yarn is held at the front of the work. This allows the front leg of the stitch to cross over the back leg, creating the characteristic bump on the front side.

Conclusion

By examining the stitch appearance, row orientation, pattern instructions, and working yarn position, you can easily identify whether you are working on a knit or purl row. This skill is crucial for any knitter, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned crafter. Practicing these techniques will help you achieve the desired textures, patterns, and overall quality in your knitting projects.