Knit vs. Purl Stitches: An Easy Beginner’s Guide (with Tips & Fixes)

Learning to knit starts with just two stitches: the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Every project you’ll ever make, from scarves to sweaters, is built from these two foundations.

This guide explains how knit and purl stitches work together, what makes them different, and how to fix common beginner problems before frustration kicks in. If you want step-by-step instructions, I’ve linked full tutorials below. This post, on the other hand, is your big-picture guide to help everything click!

If you’ve ever heard knit and purl stitches described as “opposites” and felt confused, you’re not alone. Once you understand how they relate to each other, knitting becomes far less mysterious... and much more enjoyable.

If you haven’t read my Complete Beginner’s Guide to Knitting yet, it's the perfect place to get a roadmap on learning how to knit step-by-step. But if you’re ready to get hands-on with your first stitches, keep reading!

• Knit Stitch and Purl Stitch: What’s the Difference?

• Continental vs English Style Knitting: Which Should You Learn First?

• Tips for Beginners Learning to Knit and Purl

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Want to jump straight into the hands-on tutorials?

These two posts walk you through each stitch slowly and clearly, with videos included:

How to Do the KNIT Stitch: Step-by-Step for Absolute Beginners (Videos Included!)

How to Do the PURL Stitch: Step-by-Step Beginner Tutorial (with Videos!)

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Knit Stitch and Purl Stitch: What’s the Difference?

Think of knit and purl stitches as the fundamental building blocks of knitting. Everything from simple garter stitch to complex cable patterns is made using combinations of these two.

• A knit stitch creates a smooth V-shaped pattern on the fabric.

• A purl stitch creates a little horizontal bump on the knitting.

The knit stitch and the purl stitch are the reverse of each other. Flip the fabric over and you’ll see the opposite.

There are different styles of knitting used to create the knit and purl stitches, personally I work English style as I was taught to knit by my Scottish grandmother. The stitches will look exactly the same however you choose to knit, how you make them is what changes.

Continental vs. English Style Knitting: Which Should you Learn First?

One of the most common beginner questions is: "What’s the difference between continental and English style knitting?"

It all comes down to how you hold and feed the working yarn.

English Style Knitting (a.k.a. “Throwing”)

• You hold the working yarn in your right hand, in the same hand as your working needle.

• You wrap the yarn around the needle in a sort of throwing motion, hence the name.

• Many beginners first learn this way because there is less going on with your hands.

• The tension, or tightness of your stitches and fabric, can vary a lot when throwing because many people drop the yarn between each stitch which causes the stitches to loosen and gradually become uneven as the fabric is knit up...

  • There is a relatively simple fix for this though once you have understood the basics! Enter the sister of "Throwing", called "flicking" which is where your right hand doesn't lose contact with the yarn or needle as you work your stitches. Why learn it? Quicker knitting, better tension and much easier to find a flow while you work!

Continental Style Knitting (a.k.a. “Picking”)

• You hold the working yarn in your left hand, in a position 'above' the left-hand needle.

• You wrap your right-hand needle around the yarn, or as some people you say you "pick" the yarn with the needle tip.

• Harder to get the hang of for beginners at first, however, many later convert to this style of knitting.

• It's often considered a faster way to knit once mastered, and technically it can cause less muscle/hand strain because there is less movement involved than the previously mentioned style.

My Honest Take: There’s no right or wrong here, it's just what feels more natural for you and in some cases it's how you first learn that carries you along on your knit journey! It’s completely normal to feel clumsy at first, regardless of which style you choose.

To help you out here are two suggestions:

1. Choose the style that matches your background: If you’ve crocheted before, you may find continental more intuitive because you are holding the yarn in your left hand. If you're entirely new to fibre arts, English style will most likely feel easier to manage at first.

2. Try both styles for a few rows each. First of all, it's a valuable learning experience, and who knows... later down the line you may even become a combination knitter! Secondly, in trying out both of them, you’ll quickly discover which one your hands prefer and know what style to stick with.

And remember: Even if you choose one, you can always switch or learn the other later! Some advanced knitters combine both styles depending on the stitch or garment type that they're making.

Tips for Beginners Learning to Knit and Purl

How to Get Better Knitting Tension

Uneven stitches are totally normal when you’re learning, but here’s how to minimise uneven tension as you go:

1. Posture counts! As hard as it is, try to keep your ribcage, shoulders and head stacked over your pelvis for the best possible posture. Curling or arching forward while knitting will cause your shoulders to tense up and as a result your knitting will too.

2. Relax your grip as well. Take a quick look at your hands at regular intervals. White knuckles or bulging veins mean tight stitches. Put the needles down for a second and shake off those hands!

3. Keep yarn flow consistent. This is achieved by both having a constant grasp of the yarn which doesn't pull or get stuck, and moving your yarn (or needle if picking) the same way with each stitch you work.

4. Tighten up on the purl stitches... as this is where tension often shifts. Purl stitches cause uneven tension because they naturally use more yarn per stitch, but people also tend to purl with looser stitches too. This leads to a compounding effect and, as a result larger, looser purls.

5. Practice ribbing (K1, P1) until you are sick of it! Ribbing helps build muscle memory and helps you to understand the differences between the stitches. An added benefit? When you look back over your finished ribbing, you'll see where your tension may need work.

6. Keep calm and block your knit. Blocking, or washing, your knit can even out tension issues. A gentle wet block and plenty of patience will fix minor tension issues because, when left to soak for a while, the yarn relaxes out and the stitches become more even.

   
   
   
   

I hope the information in this post has helped you get on your way towards finding that knitting flow! Remember that, like everything, it takes time to build muscle memory and learn new things (the jargon of knitting included...). Keep at it and soon enough you'll have a whole stack of handmade knits to enjoy!

If you’d like a clear beginner roadmap (including what to knit first, which tools matter, and how to practise without burning out), my Complete Beginner’s Guide to Knitting walks you through it step by step.

Happy knitting!

FAQ: Learning to Knit and Purl

What’s the difference between a knit stitch and a purl stitch?

The knit stitch and the purl stitch are two sides of the same fabric. A knit stitch creates a smooth “V” shape, while a purl stitch creates a horizontal bump. If you flip your knitting over, you’ll see the opposite stitch on the other side.

Is it easier to learn continental or English style knitting?

Honestly, it depends on you! English style is often easier for complete beginners because there’s less happening at once. If you’ve crocheted before, continental knitting may feel more intuitive. Trying both styles for a few rows is the easiest way to decide.

Why does my tension look different on the knit and purl stitches?

This is very common. Purl stitches naturally use slightly more yarn and involve different hand movements, which can make them looser. Practising ribbing (K1, P1) helps your hands balance tension between the two stitches over time.

How long does it take to learn how to knit properly?

There’s no fixed timeline, but with regular practice most knitters notice smoother movements and more even stitches within a few weeks. Speed and consistency develop naturally as muscle memory builds.

What should I knit after I’ve learned how to do knit and purl stitches?

Start with a small, satisfying project like a garter stitch scarf, ribbed headband, dishcloth, or simple coasters. Check out my post that takes you through four beginner knitting patterns of increasing complexity to guide you through your skill-building journey!