Knit Stitch versus Purl Stitch

Being able to read your knitting is an important tool to have in your knitter’s toolbox. In this video, knitting expert Michele Lee Bernstein explains how to tell the difference between knit stitches and purl stitches.

Knit stitches look like smooth “Vs” and purl stitches look like small bumps. Michele explains her method of remembering which stitch is which: knit stitches are like a V-neck sweater, purl stitches are like a bump pearl necklace. She looks at her swatch that features several basic stitch patterns to identify the knit stitches and purl stitches:

• Garter stitch (knit on both Right Side and Wrong Side)
• Stockinette stitch (knit on Right Side and purl on Wrong Side)
• 2×2 ribbing (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches)

One Response to “Knit Stitch versus Purl Stitch”

1. Greta Laundy August 6th, 2021

   Thanks Michelle, I’ve been knitting for a while and never understood the difference between garter and the reverse stockinette stitch until now.

   Reply