10 easy ways to improve purling [slow-motion masterclass] 

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I really appreciate how you embraced knitting instruction from the point of view that there is no “right “ on preferences. I am very happy to not only see multiple ways but also here your explanation for the pros and challenges of the different methods. I am so glad that I ran across you u-tube videos and I happily support you on Patreon.

I crocheted before I learned to knit, and my knitting has always been my own unique combination of techniques. I am all for each person finding the way that works for them. :-)

I never liked purling until I discovered the Portuguese purling method. This works beautifully for long rows of purls but for patterns that call for intermittent purl stitches, I still have to do them the old-fashioned way. However, when I knit shawls that have long purl back rows, the Portuguese method is heaven.

What a fun video! For whatever reason, purling with English flicking method has seemed easy for me ever since I learned to knit and so I’ve never hated to purl. Just lucky I guess. Still, I very much enjoyed seeing all the different techniques. Over time, I’ve realized that the angles between the two needles can made a big difference in the ease of knitting and can be changed during a stitch to ease things along. Thanks for another interesting episode.

Thank you, Norman, for showing so many different ways to purl!!! You are so adorable, also--I just want to give you a big hug!!!! 🙂

I have crocheted for years. Taught myself to knit using RU-vid videos. Absolutely hated to purl until I saw your middle finger method on another video. Thank you so much!!

My Polish mother taught me how to knit when I was 10, and she taught me continental knitting in the Slavic/Polish style. I had no idea there was any other way to do it until recently. In this video, it's the "combination" method where we just scoop the yarn through the hole to purl and always knit using whichever leg is forward so that the stitches don't get twisted. (My mom always referred to knit stitches as "right" because you're on the right side of the needle, and purl stitches as "left" because you're knitting on the left side of the needle. So a 1x1 rib stitch would be "right, left, right, left." It's very fast and easy to switch between knits and purls, and I'm so glad that this is the method I learned. The way other people purl looks so weird to me.

After breaking my left wrist, I was becoming frustrated because I knit continental, but purling caused me a lot of pain, so I started "backwards knitting ". And, of course, I felt as if I were breaking all of the rules for knitting. This has relieved my apprehension at trying to find a way that works better for me. Thank you. 😊

I always was an English thrower, continental knitting just never worked for me for some reason, but I always found knitting too slow so I didn't do it much. I ran across Norwegian knitting and that method just clicked with me. There is definitely a learning curve to the purl but I love not having to move the yarn back and forth from the front to the back, especially when doing ribbing.

Thank you, Norman, for not being dogmatic. Your humility in admitting that your way of doing something is the best specifically for you and not necessarily for someone else is quite refreshing. In my many decades of knitting, I have encountered the knitting police so often that it’s become funny. Your style of teaching is so unassuming that I wish every knitter, whatever their degree of experience, would follow you.

Norman, you are such a thorough teacher. I always see thing and experiment and learn so much from you! Thank you!

Thank you. I find Norwegian purling works for me.❤

You’re such an encouraging teacher. I’m going to play this video again with yarn in hand to try the various techniques and maybe I’ll finally find a purling technique that works well for me. I’ve been knitting Portuguese style for several years because of the ease of purling, and ribbing is so easy with that method. If I’m knitting stockinette in the round though, I switch to Continental because it’s faster for me, but I feel like an awkward beginner when I purl. Thank you for all the positive vibes. I will give it another go.

You are such an awesome teacher, Norman! I really appreciate your realistic, logical, compassionate approach to instruction! You offer generous amounts of useful information without any of the grandiose posturing that is favored by many other content creators. I learned to crochet as a child, so I hold the yarn the way that I was taught, with just a little modification to account for the difference from crochet, which works better for me than anything else that I have tried. I wrap the yarn once around my pinky for the tension, then run the yarn over my ring finger, under my middle finger and over my index finger. I hold the yarn close to my needles, just as you demonstrated, and manipulate the yarn by leveraging the yarn with my index finger and pinching with my thumb, which actually makes purling no more difficult for me than knitting, and, in some circumstances, even easier for me than the knit stitch. It sounds a lot more awkward to describe than it actually is in practice, but it allows perfect control over the tension with minimal movement, just in case anyone else wishes to try it and, hopefully, benefit from it. Just as you said, Norman, each knitter must find what is most efficient and comfortable for them to enjoy the process, because that is the ultimate purpose of crafting.

perfect timing! my sweater pattern has contrasting rows of purl stitch coming in about ten cm from where i am now and I have been thinking I might want to try another method for those rows. I just love the parts where you have small issues with one method because we all have that and it's nice to see an accomplished person experience the issues too. Thanks for the video- love what you do!

Thank you Norman I am an English knitter and have always been happy with my purl stitches but I do appreciate you sharing all the other ways of doing them , Amanda xx💖

As always, Norman, I appreciate your 100% common sense approach to purling. There are so. many fads in the knitting world which claim, "Do it THIS way" or "This is right and that is wrong@". Rubbish. I've experimented over the years with all kinds of knitting techniques and find that some work better in some ages of my life but not another's. I'm glad to have a variety in. my knitter's tool box and you espouse that so well!

I am an English flicker, but for stockinette projects knitted flat, I now do the purl rows Portuguese style. It uses different parts of your hands and wrists, so it works quite well for me. Thanks, Norman, for all the great videos!

I purl exactly how you purl’ed. I was taught continental knitting as I crocheted and you hold tension in a similar fashion. Purling! My instructor showed me how she purled and I modified it. Needle back to front. Pull yarn down with middle finger and flick off! I’m so excited to see someone else purl like that

Being a Texan learned English knitting when I was 8. Now I continue to purl that way and I love it for me. However, I knit Norwegian and continental. Merging the styles has worked for me 😉❤️

I learned to knit continental with the combination method 60 years ago. I have adjusted my technique for increases and decreases by turning those stitches over before I knit or purl decreases or increases on them. Never had a problem with them. It is much faster to knit or purl with the combination. Love your videos and explanations!❤❤❤

I was taught English knitting as a child, but I have found Continental and Norwegian to be a whole lot of fun😀. The movement of the Norwegian purl especially feels like a dance. I've watched a video of how fast some of the Norwegians can be. Approximately 200 stitches per minute?!!😅😅 Oh my hat! Thanks for all the tips, Norman. There can never be too much to learn. It adds so much to the knitting experience😁

I am surprised to learn that there is so many ways to pearl. I knit English style since I was 5 years old, I am now 76. 😊 I recently tried continental for a Jaquard pattern. It did not take long to get used to it. Thank you Norman for your excellent work.

Perfect! I drop many purl stitches. I think it's cause I don't finish the stitch entirely. I have to slow down and actually watch what I am doing...also tension is critical. Thank you for your awesome videos.

Phew! So happy for this as I was beginning to think purling was beyond me. I found that using the index finger to push the yarn down was easiest for me. My swatch had started out like a train wreck, but is gradually improving. I got this, thanks to your super easy to follow tutorials.

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial for improving purling, Norman!!! I knit English style since it is the most comfortable for me, but I can't say watching these videos hasn't tempted me to make the full switch to continental knitting because you make it look so easy. My question is unrelated to the video but that tapestry needle case is BEAUTIFUL and I would love to know where you got it. I have so many other accessories from other links you've shared on your blog and this one is too good for me to pass up.

My favorite way to purl is the same as yours! But my middle finger began to give me a problem so I learned Portuguese purling. Then I tried another of ways you mention. Good to have several ways to do purling so I don't wear my fingers or wrists out. Thank you for this video.

Thank you for sharing this! The purl stitch had become my headache since I've realized that I am a combination knitter and some of my stitches in the final work are twisted. My grandma taught me knitting and actually I wasn't really surprused because it turned out that combination knitting is quite a common method in the place where I live. So my decision was to try to learn how to knit continental (western style), and the purl stitches seemed so hard to do! After doing a bit of research, I read about the eastern style of knitting and then I basically switched to it. It feels so comfortable to me, I just love it! Nevertheless, maybe this video wasn't so helpful to me, I hope this will help other people ro learn more about knitting and improve their skills! You are a great teacher❤

I really like your videos. As a crocheter who recently took up knitting, I watched tons of videos and tried lots of techniques. You are so right when you say that there isn't one correct way. We all have different hands and wrists. What may be super easy for one person may be next to impossible or even painful for another. I have settled on continental picking for my knit stitches, and Norwegian purl stitches because those are what works for me. I may try the backward knitting on a dishcloth just to see how it goes. It's always fun to try new things. I also think it is important to realize that it is the result that matters, not what technique is used. For most of us, knitting is a hobby, and hobbies should be enjoyable. Relax! Have fun! Love you, Norman! 💖

Beautifully filmed, close up, focused, crystal clear......bravo 😊

Hats off to you for remarkable dexterity, Norman! Greeting from South Africa

Thank you for this video, Norman! This year I decided to take knitting seriously and I had a goal of knitting a single pair of socks and I did that back in January. Purling has always been difficult for me, I tried the "traditional" way but it was always so frustrating. Then I learned Norwegian purling from Arne/Carlos, that was very helpful, but I found it stretched my stitches and was a bit too fiddly. I made a small purl swatch and tried along with the styles you've shown and the pushing with the middle finger is proving to be the most comfortable method for me. Thank you again! You are an excellent teacher

Thank you for this video. ❤️ The woman who learned me how to purl used combination knitting but she didn’t tell me that my knit stitches needed to be different. I’ve had had a LOT of twisted stitches and I didn’t know why until now.

Tausend Dank Norman, deine Videos geben mir einen ganz neuen Zugang zum stricken, viel befreiter und experimenteller! Habe schon einige deiner Videos geschaut und bin mir sicher das hilft mir auf meinem Weg des Strickenlernens ❤

Life is too short to hate purling! As a lever knitter, the topic could make me smug, but I'm too busy stabbing myself in the hand with a DPN. Norman's message of finding what works for you is the best. It's a good way to knit and a good way to live.

I knit with Norwegian but purl English style. ❤ I enjoyed this video Norman.

Thank you for the suggestions!

I have found that I have used all of these methods without thinking about it with the exception of the double wrap. Thank you for letting me know I’m not doing something wrong as my hind brain says you just made that up. 😂😅😊. I guess this is a result of being self taught as well as just going with the flow and letting by body do what feels natural at the time. It also seems second nature when you have twisted stitches and you automatically use The back loop or leading leg Thanks Norman.

You are a wealth of information! Thank you very much from a new garment knitter. ❤

Hi Norman. Great video. I have been blessed to have found a Continental purling method that works well for me. I know many others who don’t like it mostly due to tension issues. I don’t push my technique on anyone. I did learn Norwegian purling just for fun but rarely use it. This video has so many great variations and tips. I’m fascinated by backwards knitting. I’ll never completely change the way I knit but it is fun learning these new techniques. Thanks for another great video!🤗🤗

I have never been able to tension properly trying to do a continental purl. Thanks for showing these other methods which I will try. Currently, I find the easiest method for me is Portuguese purling. I knit English or continental and then use Portuguese purling if I’m doing straight stockinette stitch. I highly recommend Portuguese purling for those who are not able to master the continental style purling. With simply a flick of the left thumb purling is a breeze.

As always your videos show me so much and I always learn so much from you. I tried each one along with the video and I really like the way you do your purl method, so nice and was comfortable for me. I will practice more, I like it so much. Thanks Norman

Thank you Norman. When I knit in the round I use method 3. When I knit back and forth, I do combination knitting

I do so love how you make everything look so simple ❤ I also love that you embrace different knitting styles ❤

Truly love and appreciate your videos, Norman.

Being English I was taught to knit as child by my grandmother the English throwing method and kind of taught myself the flicking method. I gave up knitting as I couldn’t get on with the English methods and have only picked it up again after discovering the continental method. I haven’t looked back since! It just makes sense to me and so interesting to see the various combinations of purling that can be done. I seem to do a combination of a couple different methods each time. It doesn’t come particularly easily so it was very reassuring to see the various methods that can be done and to know that there isn’t a ‘right’ way just a right way for me. Thank you for a very interesting and inspiring video.

Switched to Portuguese style knitting, purling is so efficient and a dream!

Another keeper from u. Always excellent and thorough. I was wondering about the twisted purl. I couldn't tell in my swatch but I was not really observant w twisted purl. I've crocheted for years so continental was easier. I like the way. U do it with forefinger to hold purl stitch. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! I appreciate your videos, you are very patient and thorough in your explanations.

Once again you knocked it out of the park! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟this is so helpful, well explained and very well filmed! Okay, I really want to switch to continental and will need to tuck into more videos!

Hi Norman, Like you I prefer the middle finger push method of purling. I learned the classic continental purl method from my mother (twisting my left wrist) and developed the middle finger push method on my own without really noticing that I was adapting a slightly different method What I find very interesting is that I can purl without looking at my hands MUCH BETTER than I can knit without looking at my hands. I think that because I use my middle finger to push the yarn I can go by feel more than with the knit stitch , I find myself missing a stitch or not actually pulling the yarn through sometimes on the knit stitches when I'm not looking. But I don't have to look to purl because I feel the yarn going in the right place. So in a way I have always found the purl stitch 'easier' because I don't have to look as much. Thanks for another great video. This is also the best tutorial I have ever seen on the Norwegian Purl. I was never able to follow it with anyone else I've ever watched. But you made it totally clear. I tried it. It's not for me, but at least now I know how it goes! Thank You so much! Liebe Grüße aus Virgnia, USA

Thanks! Your glass of ice tea is on me!

Thank you for teaching so many different ways to purl. I have found my purl stitches are much more loose than my knit stitches so it throws off my guage. Recently I have switched to the Norwegian purl and that seems to help. I'm so impressed with your expertise. Thank you.

Very good tut, thank you

Thank you for this comprehensive compilation, Norman. ❤

Thank you Norman. I was taught to purl "efficiently", but after putting knitting down for several years, I couldn't remember the method and used the index finger method (my terminology) and it hurts. I've been trying to remember how I was taught and you demonstrated it! Thank-you, you have saved my fingers and wrist. ❤

Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial!! So clear and easy to follow.

I learned to knit 60 years ago from my grandmother. As a young mom, I stopped knitting for a few years, and would pick it up and knit again, put it down for a few years, start again. Earlier this year, I began to knit again - so many beautiful patterns to make, and a wealth of videos to help now. Which is how I learned, two months ago, that I’ve been purling wrong for years! I’m not sure when I switched to this method, but probably when I discovered that Continental knitting was so much more efficient. Now I know that I was doing the combination purl…except I wasn’t knitting the next row differently- so my purl stitches were twisted and stayed that way. 😳 it explains why I thought purling was easy and couldn’t understand why everyone else thought it was hard and hated purling. I always hated the next knitting row - it was so tight. Now I am making a large swatch to practice purling correctly - and I found this video just in time to practice different methods. Thank you for your awesome videos. I have learned so much from them! They are a boon to those of us who are mostly self-taught.

I’m sad that you left out Portuguese knitting…possibly the easiest purl. I went from that to tensioning my yarn around my thumb and holding it in the front to continental purl. Works a dream😃😃

Thank you for explaining the various purling styles. As a beginning knitter, I have been doing the combination purl and knit for stockinette. I could not understand why the resulting knit stitches were so twisted. Now I know how to correct that. THANKS!!!!

It was great watching all these different ways to purl. Im an English knitter, currently practicing continental. What i found reassuring was watching you struggling a little. We all have our ways of doing things, that work well for us, even the experts 😅

I'm a close continental knitter. I do the purl stitch the first way. I was taught by my Danish Mormor.I find if your tension is tight, the wool hangs on well.✌❤🇨🇦

Great info! I’ve found my grove which is the Norwegian purl but I know a lot of others are still looking.

Love to watch your videos! The easiest way to purl? Portuguese knitting. The purl stitch is easier than the knit stitch. Also easy on your wrists and fingers. I learnt Portuguese knitting about 5 years ago, after a lifetime of knittingthe English way. I am 71.

I'm very new at knitting and I made up a version of the thumb method that allows me to purl very fast and without dropping stitches, but I hadn't seen anyone do anything like it before this video! I feel so much better about my purling now that I know it's a real method. I've also been trying your middle finger method if my thumb gets tired and it's becoming very comfortable for me! Thank you for showing that there's no one right way to knit and it's more important to find what works best for your body

Thanks Norman! The backwards knitting you taught really helped me with bobbles. Now they’re fun.

This video is BRILLIANT!!! Thank you SO much…. I crochet much more than knit because knitting is so intimidating to me. Finding your channel is a game changer for me. And this video is extremely useful to demystifying the purl stitch for me.

Great video! Thanks Norman, as always you have provided options for us knitters.

Purling became much easier for me when I realised that in English (or Dutch) throwing, the motions for the purl stitch aren't that different from those of the knit stitch. Especially when you approach it with lever knitting in mind, and let the left hand do most of the needle action, even if you don't fully anchor the right needle. Some Shetland knitters explain it nicely for their knitting belt lever knitting. The right needle basically goes in-out-in-out etc, the right hand throws the yarn after every in, and the left hand makes the knitted stitch fall off the left needle. Angling the left needle differently makes the difference between entering the stitch purlwise or knitwise, and the rest of the motions stay mainly the same. This approach also minimises having to turn the wrists for each stitch (as needed in continental and Norwegian), and has helped me a lot with minimising pain. This is probably not the clearest explanation, but maybe it helps someone 😅

Wow, so many methods of purling. I am a continental textbook method purler, but I do not hold my yarn of the left index finger so far away from the left-hand needle. I guess I am more of a "pick" knitter and purler. Your videos provide opportunities to learn something new about knitting. Again, thank you for excellent instructions and visuals.

I'm an English knitter and I don't mind purling, but I love learning different things and I try them if I feel it can help me knit faster. In the end, everyone is different and do things that suit/fit them. We forget that sometimes that it's not a "one size fits all" type of world. Have an amazing day ☺️ 💛.

I have tried them all, but I initially learned English purl as a child, and it works best for me. I can do it quickly and my tension is perfect.

Thank you, this is immensely helpful!

Thank you so much for making these videos! I was REALLY struggling with making socks & your tutorial has been the ONLY ONE that helped me make a GOOD pair & get a system down to repeat the process. 💚💚💚💚💚💚

Great video.. thx

I’ve been able to hold my yarn Norwegian style but purl the continental style. Love trying new techniques.🎉

I'm an old (pre-internet) knitter and purl EXACTLY the same way as you do! Many have come to this method independently.

Thank you I learned so much from this video

Thank you I always enjoy and learn something from your video's... Another option is Portuguese Purling it has really helped me with my Purling! I still don't love to Purl, but I don't have as huge an aversion to it now.

I have learned so much from this video. Many thanks!!

I'm so glad I found this video you so kindly made for us. It looks so easy of course when you do it. I like the first 3 but I really think the 3rd one where you anchor is going to be best

Nimbleneedles, welcome back. So glad to see/hear you again. You have made an amazing improvement with my knitting. I especially thank you for teaching the purl part of the german twisted cast on. And slipping the last stitch on a scarf to make smooth edges Also, thank you for the book list for learning more about knitting. God bless you.

I so enjoy your videos! Thank you. I am fascinated with this 😊

Wow Norman! What a great video. You are always so clear in your explanations. Thank you❤️

Thank you for showing all the variations of purling. I'm sure people can try one or all of them to find one that suits them well. I do have a slight variation of the thumb method that worked well for me. Instead of just pushing the yarn down with the thumb, I basically just "rolled" it down along the left needle with my thumb which allowed me to catch the yarn quickly with the right needle. I was able to purl very quickly this way. Over the years, I've learned various methods of knit and purl with both hands, which comes in handy. Sometimes it allows you to have a 'break" from one style or another. I love all your videos and that you show many methods of accomplishing the different techniques that you show. I look forward to watching every one of them.

your channel is GOLD! ily norman

Thank you so much for this! I have wanted to learn different ways of Continental purling and think I've found my method😊

Thanks for the purl video!!

Wow, your video made me realise I not only do my knit stitches differently but also my purl stiches. I come from transsilvania and I thought it was continental but actually it’s not that at all… thank you for your content, it’s really interesting!

Thank you so much! This was a great video. I dont mind purling. Norwegian looks so hard to me!

I saw Norwegian purling and it looked weird but has been a lifesaver for me. I used to get frustrated with ribbing but now it's much simpler for me. I'm finally getting better at tensioning my purls, they used to be far too loose. When I purl in a continental style now it feels unnatural. Thank you for showing so many styles! I think it's great that you try to make knitting approachable and inclusive of everybody's preferences, techniques and taste. I hate when skilled and/or accomplished artisans, connoisseurs, etc try to gatekeep and prevent others from receiving joy just because it isn't exactly how someone else thinks it should be done. Your videos are informative and always a pleasure to watch. Thank you, Norman.

I learned English flicking first, then my aunt tried to teach me continental. She purled Eastern style but didn’t knit through the back, and alternate rows were twisted. I like continental knitting for the speed, but struggle with purling so I often vary my method between combination knitting and Norwegian purl. This helps my wrist but probably causes uneven tension in my work. I’ll practice some of your other purl styles. Thank you for a great tutorial!

We all love you, thank you!!

I have been doing continental knit with english purl but I love your backwards purl method, takes a little getting used to but with practice I think I will get faster.

Thank you, Norman, for this video. I'm one who always has problems with purling, I'm an English knitter and I have tension problems so I'm looking forward to trying your suggestions.

Thank you for this video! I switched from English to continental to now Norwegian and that is my favorite. I will purl English style if it's like a purl 3 together or something like that

Hi Norman, it's funny you posted this video at a time in my knitting where after 40 years of knitting. I found out that I'm what you called a combination knitter. I thought I always had an issue with tension and my back-and-forth stockinette was different than the round. Long story short I wanted to do a sweater that required both techniques and I didn't want a line of demarcation between the two areas. I sat down and really studied my knitting and realized that I was purling my stitches clockwise when I knitted continental style. I had previously learned Norwegian purling, English knitting (it wasn't for me), and even Portuguese knitting. I wanted to learn as many techniques as possible to prevent repetitive stress injuries. I found that my muscle memory would mess me up but Portuguese knitting had me wrapping correctly. I did almost the entire project in that way and toward the end I'm finishing the final ribbing now have started using my index or middle finger continental style to help the stitch along. It's going to be a process because I have to pay attention to it. No purling for mindless knitting in the near future until I retrain my muscles.😅

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I hate purling, but at least now I have a choice of trying different techniques. You're a doll Norman, thanks again!!!

Hi Norman. I love the Portuguese knitting and the purling is awesome. Try it some time.