noun / verb

purl

PURL/pɜːrl/

A knitting stitch that forms a raised bump, or making this stitch.

He purls with the working yarn held in front of the needles.

Close-up of an older man's hands working a purl stitch, with the working yarn in front of the needles and a clearly visible fabric face covered in raised purl bumps.

Etymology

The knitting term is usually linked to an older embroidery verb, probably from Middle English pirlyng, “revolving, twisting.” Both that ancestry and the identification of the knitting and embroidery uses as one word remain uncertain.

In context

Howcast0:07

A lot of people are intimidated by the purl stitch, but really it's just the mirror image of a knit stitch. So, if you can knit, you can definitely purl.

How to Do a Purl Stitch | Knitting

More examples

Alternate one knit and one purl to make ribbing.
She purled the entire row before turning her work.
Purling creates bumps on the side facing you.

Forms

purl · purls · purled · purling

Similar words

knit: Names the overall craft or the contrasting smooth-faced stitch.
stitch: Names any knitting loop, not specifically one forming a bump.