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Knitting · BeginnerKnit stitch vs purl stitch, and how to tell them apart
Knit and purl are the same stitch seen from opposite sides. A knit stitch looks like a small V on the side facing you and is worked with the yarn at the back; a purl stitch looks like a little horizontal bump and is worked with the yarn at the front. Every other knitting pattern is a combination of the two.
How to tell them apart on your work
| Knit stitch | Purl stitch | |
|---|---|---|
| Looks like | a V | a horizontal bump |
| Yarn held | at the back | at the front |
| Needle goes in | front to back, left to right | back to front, right to left |
| Abbreviation | k | p |
The four fabrics every beginner meets
- Garter stitch: knit every row. Ridged on both sides, lies flat, does not curl. The best first project.
- Stockinette (stocking) stitch: knit one row, purl one row. Smooth Vs on the right side, bumps on the wrong side. Curls at the edges.
- Rib: alternate knits and purls in the same row, such as k1, p1 or k2, p2, and work them as they appear on the next row. Stretchy, used for cuffs.
- Seed (moss) stitch: k1, p1 across, then on the next row knit the purls and purl the knits. Bumpy texture, lies flat.
Switching between knit and purl in one row
Move the yarn between the needle tips, not over them, when you change from a knit to a purl or back. Taking it over the needle adds an accidental yarn over, which shows up as an extra stitch and a small hole.
Common questions
How do I know whether to knit or purl the next stitch?
Look at the stitch below the needle. If it is a V, knit it; if it is a bump, purl it. That keeps ribbing and stockinette correct without counting.
Why does my stockinette curl?
Stockinette always curls at the edges because knit and purl stitches pull differently. Add a few stitches of garter or rib at the edges, or block the finished piece.
What does "k2, p2" mean?
Knit two stitches, then purl two stitches, and repeat. It makes 2x2 rib, the stretchy edge used on cuffs and hat brims.
Updated 5 November 2026.