Cat Bordhi - How to tighten up your purl stitches

[yolo22]

"knitter's shame" LOL. oh i know that feeling well!

[MsKathy07]

I've tried the Norwegian Purl and found that it didn't give me a tighter purl stitch, this looks very similar. I couldn't figure out from the comments, is it correct, that you must knit through the back loop when you use the knit stitch for the next row?

[mersylla]

So basically with this technique you need to knit the stitches by inserting the needle in the back of the loop instead of the front ?

[patricia67252]

How do I tighten up stitches when I hold the yarn in my right hand?

[LaurieKeren]

I'm relatively new to knitting, and so I'm still developing my style. I hold my yarn and needles similar to you, and I suffered from loose purls. My ribbing was ugly and my cables looked bad, lol.

After watching this video, I began purling this way. At this point, I purl this way exclusively, except when I need to purl into the back leg, due to the stitch being mounted backwards (which happens when I purled in the stitch on the previous row, or when I'm making a rib stitch in the round).

[pheonixphire]

i will have to practice this stitch. my purl stitches are SIGNIFICANTLY looser then my knit stitch which leaves my projects a lil wonky..it works in my lace patterns though oddly enough.

[j8nnyl]

Thanks for sharing the video! i will try this, i already know the technique as eastern purl (the way i learned) but i have since switched to western knitting, and since purling is SLOW, i do the norwegian purl instead - LOVE it. but, those are LOOSE! so i will give this a try - i believe it is basically combination knitting, right? eastern purl and then knitting TBL - to prevent twists, right? When i get around to sock knitting again, i will try it !! Thanks so much for sharing!!

[catbordhi]

@j8nnyl This is not combination knitting or eastern purl. It is similar to Norwegian purl but different. It does result in the new sts being mounted with the leading leg in back, which is an advantage of you will be purling in the round. If not, you must treat that mount properly when you come to it again.

[j8nnyl]

@catbordhi

OH Thank you, now i see, i was confused, until i finally noticed that you are purling TFL, while eastern is purling TBL. But otherwise, the wrapping is the same. now i am even more excited to try it, i see what you mean, workin gin the round would go well with the stitch orientation issue. thanks again!

[LaurieKeren]

I've been doing some reading, and combination knitting is basically when your knit stitch is continental, and purl in a way that results in an uncrossed mount (Eastern uncrossed?). So, eventually it becomes second nature to always knit in such a way that corrects the mount, by knitting or purling into the front leg or back leg.

If you purl this way all the time (resulting in an uncrossed mount), wouldn't that be the same as combination knitting?

[j8nnyl]

@LaurieKeren I have learned over the past several months, this:

combination knitting is where you knit through the back leg of the stitch, wrapping counter clockwise, just as a western knitter would "Knit TBL".

THen You purl through the front leg of the stitch, but wrap it clockwise (this is the opposite wrap a western knitter would use. It IS the wrap an eastern knitter would use, but an eastern knitter would purl through the back of the stitch)

[j8nnyl]

@LaurieKeren (continued reply) I have not yet figured out what you mean , without knitting in front of me, but i can say this -

combo knitting is bascially :

Knit: eastern mount, western wrap

Purl: Western mount, eastern wrap

In other words. you knit TBL wrap counter clockwise, Purl TFL, wrap clockwise.

DId that make sense?? Have you been combo knitting long? i find i do eastern, western, or combo depending on the project. SO it is an ongoing learning process.

[red5flag]

WOW! Thanks a bunch!

[EmeraldQueen206]

I have a hard time purling the way you are showing on the video. I knit english style. Is there a way I can do this without getting frustrated?

[catbordhi]

This works only for Continental knitters - those who tension the yarn in their left hands. I do not know a method for those who tension the yarn in their right hands. Sorry!

[newbieknit]

I agree, FINALLY, why didn't I find this before? This has taken a HUGE load off of me, I was forever getting loose purls no matter how hard I pulled the yarn forward.

Thanks for making this available to those that don't have a hands on co-knitter nearby, even if we did, I don't think we would have learned this during class at a LYS. Maybe, but this is SO MUCH better.

THANKS cat, you are super.

[rebechla]

Finally! A method of purling that doesn't feel strangely awkward. I'm a new knitter (continental) and could NOT get the hang of purling. I also found the Norwegian purling video helpful at first (and much easier that moving the yarn to the front every time) but even that felt uncomfortable. This is absolutely the most convenient way of purling - it seems natural and fluid. I can knit so fast now!!

Thank you so much Cat!

[rebechla]

Sorry- i forgot to grade it! (first timer)

I give this video a grade of 10+ Excellent

[jessicahasit]

I really like this method, I'm just having an hard time with the twisted knit stitch. However, if you look at Norwegian Purl by Hsailormoon, you'll see the difference that bonobobabe mentions. This will not twist the knit stitch.

Thanks again for all the great tips!!

[jessicahasit]

that's a video Norwegian Purl by Hsailormoon on youtube....just wanted to be clear...

[catbordhi]

My method is similar to the Norwegian Purl but not the same, and my method really tightens up the purl sts - which is the whole point. Purling or knitting them later through the back leg (the one behind the needle) should be no problem at all. I don't know if the "real" Norwegian Purl tightens up purl sts or not.

[Geecloud]

Hi,

Nice video, just wanted to ask what needles are those you are using ? I am in the UK and we only seem to have grey aluminum or bamboo.

Thanks in advance

[gamine224]

This looks so tortuous to me! Why not just "combination knitting"? It's so much quicker and simpler to purl that way and it does an equally good job of eliminating "rowing out".

Also, there is no "correct" way to knit!!!!!!! You are either getting the fabric you want or you aren't. How you get there does not matter a whit.

[catbordhi]

"combination knitting" works for many people but not at all for many others. This method will tighten up your purls (only if you are a Continental knitter however) is a bit of a miracle. And yes, absolutely, there is no correct way to knit.

[gamine224]

Thank you for responding! You are my sock "hero"ine; I am crazy about your new book.

I've been knitting "continental" my whole life, both combination and not. I absolutely cannot knit stockinette without rowing out unless I knit combination style.

I've been collecting your books and kntting mobii (?) and other of your creations for a while now. Thanks for thinking outside the box so often and so well, Cat.

[lhw3]

it is so good

[bonobobabe]

Oops. I meant wrap the yarn CLOCKWISE, instead of counterclockwise.

[bonobobabe]

Norwegian purl is similar, but it results in "correct" stitch mount.

For throwers, a similar thing can be had by wrapping the purl stitch counterclockwise, instead of clockwise. The path of the yarn is shorter, therefore, a tighter purl. And it will also cause the right leg of the stitch to be in the back.

[pearlzenith]

Thanks for making this video! It makes 1x1 ribbing so much faster and neater looking.

[gabrielleadams]

So how does this work of one throws the yarn with the right hand?

Normally, if I'm having trouble, I just use a needle one size smaller for the purl row, or if I'm feeling motivated, I knit "backwards" (left-handed).

[catbordhi]

I haven't found a way to make this work for throwers.If you want to experiment, try to find a way to hold the yarn the same way for both knit and purl, but in the right hand. Your other two alternatives are both great ways to tighten up knits. Any time you're using an interchangeable needle set (like Denise) you can make yourself a special needle with a smaller tip on the purl end - (working rows, not rnds).

[stell66]

there is another u-tube video listing this as eastern continental, how cool!

[WNanette]

Cat,

At 02:47, where you begin knitting in the back leg of each stitch - that's how I used to 'knit'! haha

I didn't know any better, and it took me a long time to learn to knit in front like everyone else. ~_^

Can't remember right now, but I think that is what another famous knitter calls 'combination knitting'. (sorry, her name just escaped me)

Thank you!

[favorablyimpressed]

What an interesting concept. I'll definitely be giving it a try.

[k9kamps]

Wow, this is wonderful. Always hated to purl now I want to rib everything. Thanks Cat.

Hariamrit