Norwegian Purl Stitch for Beginners

In this video I show you step by step how to work the Norwegian Purl.

An alternative to the Continental Purl, the Norwegian Purl is a method of purling that allows you to keep your working yarn at the back of your work. This makes it a much quicker and more efficient way of purling, great for when you have large sections of work that involve switching between knit and purl stitches.

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[sharonandrews]

OMG! I learned to knit via Continental method when I was 28. I’m now 66. In all these years, I have used a cattywompus, “me-method” to purl that slows me down considerably. How I wished I’d known about the Norwegian purl sooner. Thank you so much.

[krisallfrey]

I'm a crocheter that has just picked up knitting. I do the continental style, but I have never got the hang of the purl. Thank you so much for this tutorial. You are a lifesaver. :-)

[Cdwny]

I’m a self taught knitter and was NEVER comfortable with any purl method until I found the Norwegian purl. It really saved knitting for me.

[barbaraweener]

OH, THANK YOU I’m 75 and this is the best I have ever seen Yes, it will take some practice but your explanation is Thank you a thousand

[marywrigjt]

Thank you, thank you.!! The only demonstration I’ve found that explains and shows every movement to make. And you go slow enough it makes sense. ❤️❤️ You are a LIFESAVER.!!!👍👍

[CRyan-lp]

I have been able to “get” the continental knit, and love it, but the purl has been something I cannot wrap my hands around, until now. I do think this—-and your slow and clear instruction, has been super helpful. I have a hat pattern I love that has k2, p2 and I hope I can make that more seamless now.

[elainelaskowsky]

Oh my goodness this was a real game changer for me ! You are an awesome teacher ty, ty, ty!!

[theastewart]

Wonderful demonstration of the Norwegian Purl! I am blessed to have good tension with the regular continental Purl but many do struggle. And this method is a game changer for them. I’ve learned it to have it in my knitting arsenal and as you point out, for ribbing it is nice and smooth! Thanks for a fantastic tutorial!💕

[cynthiajones]

Yes, this has been a life changer for me. I hated purling!! I've gotten faster and faster at this method now and it's made knitting so much faster and more enjoyable. Thank you!

[LauraJSelby]

I saw this elsewhere and made a hat so I could practice. Game changer! I was proficient at purling continental before, but the ergonomic benefits of this ‘new’ Norwegian purl are what motivated me to change. Your video is crystal clear, and I hope others take up the technique. Thanks!

[lennypearl]

I live in Finland, and this is the way most Finnish knitters purl! I learned to purl (continental style) by bringing the working yarn to the front and purling that way. When I was knitting with a friend, she said my way was really strange! 😂 I’ve tried this method before, but it’s strange for me. But it’s always good to know different methods to have in your pocket as the need for them requires! It used to be the same for me for English knitting with the right hand, but I’ve gotten better at it by doing two-handed stranded knitting. And I’ll also point out that your video/explanation is really good and clear for those who wish to try purling this way 😊

[neppiesworld]

❤❤❤❤ I’m sooo gonna do this! I already knit with my hands in the same position as yours, so I’m gonna love this purl! Thank you!

[sbbosak]

Wonderful video! This has really helped me learn a better way to purl.

[eileenfb]

Arne and Carlos YouTube Channel have said that all the old knitters do it this way. If I'm doing a whole row of purl then I still find it quicker to do it the throwing style. For rib the Norwegian is wonderful. A very good video, so clear and easy to follow.

[Archiebean]

Thank you a hundred times, crocheter here too, struggled with all the other ways. This makes so much more sense and the stitch for me is neater.

[lisahotovy]

Thank you so much for this video! ❤ I thought I was never going to figure this out (my hands wanna do crochet things not knitting things). I just did three rows using leftover fluffy blanket yarn to practice and it looks like I've got it. I want to make my husband a scarf for Christmas and this will save me time. Thank you again.

[staciebradford]

Thank you so much! Just like you, I crocheted long before I started knitting. I enjoyed knitting, but I could never get the hang of the purl, which has been a big source of frustration since knitting seems to be pretty relaxing! I can't wait to try this out and see how much it changes my perspective of knitting now that purling won't seem so impossible 😊

[Xquisiit]

After watching your video, I finally understood the last step before pulling the stitch off the needle, thank you for the close-up view!

[jillfowler]

I have been trying to figure this out for so long. Thank you! Your demo and explanation was perfect.

[SynfullyWkd]

Tried this method many times and end up frogging my work. For some reason, my fingers and brain will not work together for this style of purling. I too, started knitting much later than I did crocheting, so I thought continental would be the best choice for me as holding the working yarn is pretty much the same as crochet. I can do the knit stitch continental and have gotten pretty proficient at it, but reg, continental purling slows me so much. I have watched many tutorials and although they are educational, yours is BY far the best I've seen. I am going to get some scrap yarn out tomorrow and give it a few more whirls In the hope that my brain and fingers decided to work together, as this method would make my current project go by so much faster. Thanks for all the tutorials, I have learned so much from you.