Knit the Knits and Purl the Purls

Shandeh · 10-06-2009, 05:18 AM

When I was a new knitter, I would get SO CONFUSED when a knitting pattern said to "Knit the knits and Purl the purls". It just didn't make sense to me. I thought that they meant that I should knit the stitches that I had knit on the row before, and purl the stitches I had purled on the row before. So, my knitting never came out right.

But, with experience, I learned what they really meant. You should knit the stitches that LOOK like they were just knit. And you should purl the stitches that LOOK like they were just purled.

In this photo, I knit a little sample that has 3 knits, then 3 purls on the right end. You would knit the first 3 stitches, then purl the next 3 stitches, then continue knitting the knits and purling the purls.

I also made a little video. Hopefully, it will help someone.
Good luck with your knitting!

YouTube Video

etoilechaude · 10-06-2009, 10:24 AM

It seems like it should be so easy to see without a video, but that was GREAT!!!!!!!! Honestly I just started to recognize my stitches, so this is wonderful help!

pinksugar · 10-06-2009, 01:35 PM

lol, I'm confusing myself here!

so what you're saying is, if it's flat, and you're doing a purl row, then all the 'knits' from the right (knit) side of the knitting will look like purls, and should be purled, and all the purls will look like knits, and should be knitted.

Right...?

suzeeq · 10-06-2009, 02:29 PM

Yes, the back of a knit st is a purl, the back of a purl is a knit. But when you get to the next row, forget what you did to them on the previous row, and just work the sts however they appear on the row you're doing now.

pinksugar · 10-06-2009, 02:54 PM

I learnt without any terminology whatsoever, so chances are, I know what this is but didn't know the technical term.

I'll have to brush up on my knowledge! thanks for posting the little video too, and I love the sample colour!

Jan in CA · 10-06-2009, 03:48 PM

I always share this sample so knitters can learn what the stitches look like.

Shandeh · 10-06-2009, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by etoilechaude

It seems like it should be so easy to see without a video, but that was GREAT!!!!!!!! Honestly I just started to recognize my stitches, so this is wonderful help!

Glad to help!

Originally Posted by pinksugar

so what you're saying is, if it's flat, and you're doing a purl row, then all the 'knits' from the right (knit) side of the knitting will look like purls, and should be purled, and all the purls will look like knits, and should be knitted.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by Jan in CA

I always share this sample so knitters can learn what the stitches look like.

I love your sample, Jan! I've seen it before, and think it's wonderful.

I made the video, because a new member in the "Welcome" thread asked about the statement "knit the knits and purl the purls". I tried to find a video online that explained it, but was unsuccessful, so I decided to make one myself.

ArtLady1981 · 10-06-2009, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jan in CA

I always share this sample so knitters can learn what the stitches look like.

Great photo, Jan!!! I saved it on my 'puter for future use in helping others!

MerigoldinWA · 10-07-2009, 07:17 PM

It's nice to have this as a sticky because it comes up all the time and is so important for new knitters to learn as quickly as they can. Thanks!

viviaan · 11-22-2009, 11:13 PM

i still dont understand, so say if like i was knitting 3 then purling 2, when i go back would i be knitting 2 first then purling 3? or would i be knitting 2 and purling 3?