22/08/2026
Fascinating Sunday afternoon read for you.
Is this true for you?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Gk85eHT6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Why do so many knitters dislike purling? Psychology may help explain it…
1. Purling can feel less intuitive to some knitters.
Our brains become more efficient at movements we repeat. If the knit stitch is the movement you use most often, it can become increasingly automatic, leaving purling feeling just that little bit less natural.
2. Switching between knit and purl might actually be the problem.
Research into task switching suggests that moving between actions comes with a small cognitive cost. Constantly switching (as we do in ribbing) can interrupt our rhythm and make the process feel more demanding.
3. The knit stitch gets a head start.
For many of us, knitting is the first stitch we learn. That means our hands and brains have had more time to practise the movement before purling is even introduced. In motor learning, repetition helps movements become more familiar and automatic.
4. The 'purling is awful' story might be keeping it alive.
Purling has had a bad reputation among knitters for years. Psychology tells us that expectations can influence our experiences, so hearing that purling is difficult, slow, or less enjoyable may shape how we approach it.
Of course, plenty of knitters are perfectly happy to purl, but psychology may help explain why the stitch may have earned such a reputation.
Tell us your thoughts on purl below.
Sources:
Research on motor learning and automaticity
American Psychological Association, research on task switching
Self-Determination Theory, competence, motivation and enjoyment
Research on expectations and perceived effort
