How to Norwegian purl in knitting

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When you're knitting in the Continental style, the Norwegian purl is an interesting stitch to try. Faye Perriam-Reed explains how to do it.

If you’ve been trying out Continental knitting you may also like to have a go at Norwegian purl. This is worked with the yarn tensioned in the left hand and held at the back of the work at all times. Some Continental knitters find this technique easier than the usual method of purling with the yarn in front.

Norwegian purling is also useful when working ribbing and knit and purl stitch patterns, as the yarn isn’t constantly being moved backwards and forwards over the work.

How to work a Norwegian purl

If you’re new to Continental knitting then before you begin, you want to find a nice yarn tension in your left hand. Play with different ways of holding the yarn – first try it the same way as you do in your right hand, and see how that feels. I tend to wrap the yarn once around my ring finger and then over my index finger, which is the same way I tension the yarn when I crochet.

Many English-style knitters who have later learned Continental have problems with purling in the new style. You just need to train the fingers in the left hand to have a bit more control – it will come, eventually!

Step 1

Holding the yarn in your left hand and at the back of the work, take the RH needle behind the working yarn and insert it purlwise into the first stitch. You may find it easier to hold on to the stitches on your RH needle with your right index finger. (Figs 1 & 2)

Step 2

(Fig 3) Changing the cross of the needles, take the RH behind the LH needle, then (Fig 4) take it over, and then (Fig 5) under the working yarn, at the same time looping the yarn around the needle anti-clockwise, creating what looks like a yarnover on the needle.

Step 3

(Fig 6) Change the cross of the needles again, bringing the RH needle back around to the front of the work, then (Fig 7) bring it down and through the loop on the LH needle towards the back, (Fig 8) angling the new stitch over to the right slightly to avoid picking up the working yarn, and slipping the now worked stitch off the LH needle.

That’s all there is to it – simply repeat steps 1 to 3 across the row.

Try the Norwegian purl

The Norwegian purl is not only more comfortable for many Continental knitters, but it can also help you to keep your tension more consistent and even speed up your knitting.

Practice it on scrap yarn for just 15 minutes a day until it feels natural – you’ll find it a really useful skill to add to your repertoire!

Discover new techniques with Gathered

Some knitters find the Norwegian purl a good option for two-handed colourwork – give it a try on your next Fair Isle knitting project.

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Faye Perriam-Reed

Faye Perriam-Reed is a knitwear designer and technical editor, having worked and designed for both The Knitter and Simply Knitting. She enjoys exploring construction and finishing techniques to achieve neater results.

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