The main difference between knit and purl is that knit is at the front of the fabric, whereas purl is at the back of the fabric.
Knit and purl are two of the most basic stitches in knitting. These two stitches mirror each other. The back of a purl stitch looks like a knit stitch, and the back of a knit stitch looks like a purl stitch.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Knit
– Definition, Features
2. What is a Purl
– Definition, Features
3. Relationship – Knit and Purl
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Knit and Purl
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Knit, Knitting, Purl
What is a Knit
A knit stitch is the most basic stitch in knitting. We sometimes also call it a plain stitch. This is the first stitch you learn when you start to knit. The Knit stitch has the shape of the letter ‘v’ since the yarn comes round either side in a little “v”. The back of these stitches looks like the front of the purl stitches. These stitches stack horizontally. We usually make this stitch from front to back. The yarn is also placed at the back when making knit stitches.
When you are making a knit stitch, the working needle should be pointing away from you when you first insert the tip of the working needle into the first stitch. Then, you have to yarn over the needle from the backside. Next, take the needle back through the loop to the front and hold the yarn on the tip the whole way. This way, you will have one loop on the working needle. Then you can continue knitting this way until you run out of stitches.
What is a Purl
Purl stitch is the second stitch you learn after learning knit stitch. Purl stitch is actually the backside of a knit stitch. Therefore, it’s the opposite of knit stitches. Instead of ‘v’ shapes, purl stitches have horizontal ridges at the bottom. These stitches usually look like wavy horizontal lines across the fabric.
When you are making a purl stitch, the working needle should be pointing toward you when you first insert the tip of the working needle into the first stitch. Then, you have to yarn over the needle from the front side. Next, take the needle back through the loop to the back and hold the yarn on the tip the whole way. This way, you will have one loop on the working needle. Then you can continue knitting this way until you run out of stitches.
Relationship Between Knit and Purl
- These two stitches mirror each other. The back of a purl stitch looks like a knit stitch and the back of a knit stitch looks like a purl stitch.
- Both make a bump in the knitting.
- You can make different fabrics by combining knit and purl stitches. Seed stitch and moss stitch are two stitches that use these in combination.
Difference Between Knit and Purl
Definition
Knit stitch is a basic stitch made by taking a loop of yarn from the back of the fabric to the front through a previous stitch, while purl is the reverse of the knit.
Front and Back
Knit stitches are made from the front to the back, while purl stitches are made from the back to the front.
Appearance
A knit stitch has the shape of the letter ‘v’, whereas a purl stitch looks like a wavy horizontal line across the fabric.
Location
Moreover, knit is at the front of the fabric while purl is at the back of the fabric.
Conclusion
Knit stitch is a basic stitch made by taking a loop of yarn from the back of the fabric to the front through a previous stitch while purl is the reverse of the knit. The main difference between knit and purl is that knit is at the front of the fabric, whereas purl is at the back of the fabric.
Reference:
1. “Knit Stitch.” WOOL AND THE GANG.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pink, blue, knitted, yarns, stitching needles, white, flooring, knitting, knitting needles, wool” (CC0) via Pxfuel
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