Norwegian Purling
Norwegian purling is a specialty technique that purls without bringing the yarn to the front of the work. Used in the Norwegian tradition for ribbing and any project where the yarn would otherwise need to switch sides repeatedly.
Recommended A printable technique cheat-sheet for your knitting bag.
Mechanics
Hold the working yarn at the back as for a knit stitch. Insert the right needle through the next stitch from front to back (as for a purl). Wrap the yarn around the needle from back to front. Pull through. The result is a normal purl stitch with the yarn never crossing to the front.
Why it is faster for ribbing
In standard knitting, ribbing requires bringing the yarn to the front for each purl and back for each knit. Norwegian purling eliminates the front-to-back motion, knitting and purling without ever moving the yarn between needles.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Learning curve
The motion is unfamiliar and takes 1–2 weeks to internalise. Most knitters find it awkward at first but appreciable faster after practice.
Best for
Heavy ribbed projects (ribbed sock cuffs, full-length ribbed sweaters, brioche). Norwegian and Faroese sweaters where the technique is traditional.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
Tips
- Practice on a ribbed swatch before using on a real project.
- Especially valuable for k1, p1 ribbing where the yarn switches every stitch.
- Pair with Continental knit stitches for the fastest ribbing speed.
In depth
Norwegian purling is one of the most useful niche techniques in hand-knitting. The combination of speed for ribbing and the elimination of the most common ribbing-error source (forgetting to move the yarn) makes it worth the learning curve for any knitter who does significant amounts of ribbing.