…And Then Purl Some

As it happens ever so often, when I stumble upon the same issue with knitting in one week more than once, I feel it is worth mentioning in one of my blog posts. This time around it has to do with lace knitting, or rather one particular technique sometimes used in lace.

The “purl x stitches together” – p2tog, p5tog, p10tog (Oh yes, those patterns exist. And somehow I doubt they were intentioned to torture you, though sometimes it will feel like it.)

Purling 2 stitches together is not really a problem. It is as easily done as knit 2 together. Now, the rest of it can be a bit tricky, especially if your knitting is a bit on the tight side. Do not fear, there is a solution.

Instead of trying to force your knitting needle into 5, or even 10 stitches to try purl them together at once, try this:

For purl 5 together, slip 3 stitches purlwise, purl the next 2 stitches together, then pass the slipped stitches over the just purled stitches. If necessary, tighten up this stitch. That’s it.

Photos show p9tog. Randomly picked number to show the technique. I used a cotton/linen blend to show that the yarn composition doesn’t really affect this technique.

Ready to purl 9 stitches together.

Slip 7 of the 9 to be worked sts – slip always 2 less of sts to be worked.

Purl the next two stitches together. 

Then start passing the slipped stitches over the stitches just worked, one by one.

There. 9 stitches purled together. – Don’t forget to tighten the stitch if necessary.

 

Happy knitting, as ever!

– Mona