Portuguese Purl: Happy-Hands Purling Made Easy (Step-by-Step)
- Silly Monkey Knits
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Purling doesn’t have to be slow or sore. With the Portuguese purl—yarn guided by a pin and a simple thumb-flick—you’ll get faster ribbing, steadier tension, and truly happy hands.
Why this purl feels so good
Portuguese knitting keeps the working yarn in front, tensioned through a Portuguese knitting pin (or a simple neck wrap/clip). Instead of wrapping the yarn with big wrist motions, you flick it with your thumb. Results you’ll feel: minimal motion → less strain, beautifully even tension, and fast, meditative ribbing. If purl rows or cuffs are your pain point, this technique changes the game.
What you’ll need
Yarn + your usual needles (circulars, DPNs, or straights)
Portuguese knitting pin (or a safety pin/clip/neck wrap)
Optional: a light shirt to clip the pin at mid-chest
Portuguese Purl: Step-by-Step (Happy-Hands Method)
Comfort cue: Keep movements small and relaxed. Think “tap,” not “swing.”
Attach & thread Clip the pin to your shirt at mid-sternum. Thread the working yarn through the hook so it lies in front of the needles.
Set your hold Left needle carries the stitches. Right needle is light in your fingers. The yarn runs from the pin to your working thumb across the front.
Insert purlwise Insert the right needle purlwise (right-to-left through the front leg) while the yarn stays in front.
Thumb-flick wrap Use your thumb to flick the yarn over the needle tip (front → back). This replaces a full wrap.
Draw through Pull the new loop through smoothly to form the purl. Keep your elbow still; let the needle tips and thumb do the work.
Slip off & reset Slide the old stitch off the left needle. Reset your thumb close to the needle for the next flick.
Find your rhythm Repeat: insert → flick → draw → off. In 1×1 or 2×2 rib, you’ll feel the flow quickly.
Left-handed note: Reverse needle roles and flick with your preferred thumb. The yarn still sits in front for purls.
Common mistakes & quick, kind fixes
Twisted stitches Symptom: Fabric looks tight/leaning. Fix: Insert purlwise through the front leg and ensure the flick goes over the needle, not under.
Neck or shoulder tension Symptom: Tightness after a few rows. Fix: Lower the pin position; or use a shirt-mounted pin instead of a neck wrap. Keep wrists straight and grip soft.
Inconsistent gauge Symptom: Some purls look loose. Fix: Shorten the yarn path (pin slightly toward your working hand). Make the flick a tiny tap.
Baggy ribbing Symptom: Columns lack snap. Fix: Tighten purls slightly or drop one needle size for rib sections.
Yarn snagging in the pin Symptom: Jerky motion. Fix: Rotate the hook opening up a touch, switch to a smoother pin, or very lightly wax the hook (avoid on delicate fibers).
Comfort-first tips (to keep those hands happy)
Pin height matters: Start at mid-chest. Too high strains the neck; too low adds slack.
Short path = smooth flow: A small angle from pin → thumb speeds recovery.
Hybrid for speed: Many knitters knit Continental and purl Portuguese—perfect for quick, even ribbing.
Practice on a tiny rib swatch: Ten minutes on 2×2 rib locks in muscle memory.
When to use the Portuguese purl
Sock cuffs & sweater hems: Ribbing flies with tidy columns.
Purl-heavy fabrics: Reverse stockinette, moss/seed, fisherman’s rib.
Long sessions: Low-motion flick reduces fatigue for marathon knit nights.
Portuguese purl vs other purls (quick compare)
Aspect | Portuguese Purl | Continental Purl | English Purl |
Motion | Minimal thumb flick | Moderate finger/needle motion | Larger wrap motion |
Speed in ribbing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Strain | Low | Medium | Medium–High |
Learning curve | Easy with a pin | Easy if you “pick” | Easy if you “throw” |
FAQs
Do I need a special pin? No. A dedicated Portuguese knitting pin is nice, but a safety pin, badge clip, or gentle neck wrap works too.
Will it change stitch mount? Used as shown, no. If your fabric looks twisted, check your insertion path and wrap direction.
Can I combine styles? Yes—lots of knitters knit Continental and purl Portuguese for comfort and speed.
Is it really easier on the body? For many, absolutely. The short, repeatable flick replaces big wraps and reduces repetitive strain.
Beginner-friendly? Very. The front-carried yarn and small motions make purling intuitive.
Next stitches
Knit a 10-minute 2×2 rib swatch to groove the rhythm.
Use Portuguese purl on your next sock cuff or sweater hem.
Want construction tips? Read Toe-Up vs Cuff-Down: How Portuguese Knitting Changes the Game.
The Portuguese purl is the simplest upgrade you can make for speed and comfort—fast ribbing, calmer hands, better fabric. Give it a small practice swatch, and your next cuffs and hems will practically knit themselves.
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