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Wow!  We're already to learn to purl and to slip stitches!  Before we get going, let's take a quick trip down memory lane.  In Need a Break?  Learn to Knit and Start Relaxing...Now! we took a look at the benefits knitting can bring to our lives, what we'll learn through this series and what materials we need to get started.  In Learn to Knit: Casting On and the Knit Stitch, we checked out three techniques: that pesky slip knot, casting on and the foundational knit stitch.  I always encourage you to check out www.mondaymorningknits.com for more info, tips and encouragement!

Today, we're looking at the purl stitch and slipping stitches.  When you get done with this lesson you're going to be thinking to yourself, "Sheesh!  That was easy!  We should have started with this lesson!  Why wasn't Learn to Knit: Casting On and the Knit Stitch this easy?"  Simple, casting on and that slip knot can be a bit tricky at first, but before we get to do the best parts of knitting, we've got to get the yarn on the needle.  However, last week I didn't want to leave you with 20 stitches sitting on a needle so I dove right into the knit stitch so you could experience the joy that it brings to life without having to wait a whole week!

Well, enough of that...let's get moving!

The Purl Stitch

To knit a purl stitch, we're going to use the same rhyme we used when we learned the knit stitch.  Do you remember it?  Through the loop, around the back; Pull it through, off pops Jack!"  There are two things, though, we need to do when we purl that are different from when we knit.  First, bring your yarn to the front of the work by slipping the yarn between the needles (Pic 1).  Next, as you slide the tip of your right needle into the first loop on the left needle, you're going to enter through the back of the loop, not the front like in the knit stitch (Pic 2).  Wrap the yarn around the back of the right needle (Pic 3).  Now, pull/push that yarn through the loop (Pic 4).  Off pops Jack!  Slide the entire stitch off the left needle and onto the right needle (Pic 5)!  Check out the video "The Purl Stitch" to see purling in person!  Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?

Picture 1                                   Picture 2                                  

                 Picture 3                                  Picture 4

               Picture 5

Slipping Stitches

Ok, so knitting was easy.  Purling was easier.   Would you believe me if I told you that slipping stitches is the easiest thing on Earth?  Well, see for yourself!  There are two ways we can slip a stitch: knitwise and purlwise.  When we slip a stitch knitwise (abbreviated sl 1 kwise or just sl 1), we're going to begin with our yarn in back and insert the tip of the right needle into the first loop on the left needle as if to knit it (through the front; Pic 1).  Stop!  Don't wrap the yarn around the back, don't pull it though!  Just slide the loop off the left needle and onto the right (Pic 2).  Voila!  You're done!  To slip a stitch purlwise (abbreviated sl 1 pwise), you'll bring the yarn to the front and insert the tip of the needle into the loop as if to purl (through the back; Pic 3).  Stop!  Slide that loop off the left needle and onto the right needle (Pic 4)!  I told you it was easy-peasy!  The video "Slipping Stitches" offers more support.

Picture 1                                     Picture 2

Picture 3                                      Picture 4

What to do now?!?!  Well, let's see.  You know how to knit, purl and slip stitches.  I recommend knitting one row then purling the next.  After and inche of doing this, I want you to throw in this trick and see what happens to the edge of your swatch:  Knit the first stitch, knit to the last stitch, slip the last stitch purlwise.  Next row, knit the first stitch, purl to the last stitch, slip the last stitch purlwise.  Do you see how your edge is now nice and smooth, almost braid-like?  Cool, huh!

If you're up for a challenge, try a simple rib.  To make a k2p2 rib, follow these directions -

Row 1:  Knit the first stitch, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, slip the last stitch purl wise.

Row 2:  Knit the first stitch, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2,  purl 2, slip the last stitch purlwise.

Good luck!  Keep practicing.  Whether you choose to knit, purl or slip a stitch, it doesn't matter...just do it!  For more videos on other techniques, check out www.mondaymorningknits.com or email me questions to melissa@mondaymorningknits.com!

I can't wait for next week when we check out Learn to Knit: Increasing and Decreasing!