Once you've learned to knit stitches, the next natural step is to learn the purl stitch. Many people find purling slightly more awkward at first than knitting, but with a little practice, it'll become second nature!
What is a purl stitch?
Actually, a purl stitch is just the back side of a knit stitch! If you knit a stitch and turn your work around, it will look like a purl stitch (often described as having a small "bump" or "collar"). When you combine knit and purl stitches, you can create endless patterns, such as stockinette stitch, ribbing, or seed stitch.
Step-by-step: How to purl
Step 1: Yarn in front
The most important thing when purling is that your working yarn must be in front of your work (facing you).
Step 2: Insert the needle
Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle. Insert it from the front, from right to left. The right needle should now cross in front of the left needle.
Step 3: Wrap the yarn
Use the right needle to catch the yarn hanging in front of the work. Wrap the yarn over the needle from right to left, and pull it back through the stitch.
Step 4: Slip it off
Let the old stitch slide off the left needle. Congratulations, you now have a completed purl stitch on your right needle!
Struggling with tension? Many knitters find their purl stitches are looser than their knit stitches, while others make them too tight. Make sure you form the stitches on the thickest part of the needle barrel, not right at the tips!