To make the Purl Stitch, insert the point of the right hand needle into the stitch nearest the point of the left hand needle, from right to left.

Take the yarn round behind the right hand needle and up between the right and left hand needle. It will form a crossed over loop.

Pull the right hand needle back through the loop on the left hand needle, taking the yarn you just wrapped round the right hand needle through this loop.

Lift the loop off the left hand needle.

Just as you did with the knit stitch, repeat the movements above right across the row of stitches. Then turn the right hand needle, put it in your left hand and look at the stitches.

You will see that the row of stitches you have just made looks like a row of knit stitches, with the smooth front of a knit stitch showing. The bumps that you made when you were purling are now at the back of the work. If you purled one row now you would get a garter stitch ridge across the work but I would like you to knit across these stitches. Then put the right hand needle into the left hand ready to work the new stitches, and look at the piece. You will see that the purl stitches are showing again. Work 1 row of purl stitches as described above. This way of working one row knit, one row purl is known as Stocking Stitch and produces a fabric with a smooth side and a bumpy side, as shown in the picture below. It appears in most knitted items and is one of the most important stitches in knitting.

This excellent reference book has masses of information about knitting techniques. It illustrates all the basic techniques and has a huge range of different ways to cast on and off and increase and decrease. A must for any knitter's bookcase!

This is another very good book which contains reference information on all the basics of how to knit and finish off a garment or item.