purl
purl — noun
1. a stitch made in knitting by pushing the needle through the front of a stitch, w
a stitch made in knitting by pushing the needle through the front of a stitch, which produces a raised bump on the side facing the knitter
Talia shaped the ribbed cuff of her sock, switching between knit and purl stitches on every row.
collocation: knit and purl stitches
Jiwoo dropped a purl stitch near the edge and had to restart the row.
After mastering the purl stitch, Mateo tried his first cable-knit pattern on a winter hat.
Emre knitted three rows of plain stitch and then a row of purl to shape the hat.
Alessia kept confusing the purl stitch with the knit stitch during her first lesson.
- knit stitch
the other basic stitch in hand knitting; a purl on one side looks like a knit on the reverse
用法筆記
In hand knitting, a purl stitch creates a raised bump on the side facing the knitter. Turn the work over and that same stitch looks like a knit stitch on the reverse side. New learners often mix up purl and knit.
常見錯誤
2. fine thread or wire made with gold or silver, used in decorative sewing to trim
fine thread or wire made with gold or silver, used in decorative sewing to trim the edges of clothing or to create embroidered patterns on fabric
The royal robe was trimmed with silver purl that sparkled under the candlelight.
collocation: silver purl
Medieval embroiderers at Canterbury Cathedral used gold purl to decorate the borders of silk vestments.
The museum display showed a 16th-century sleeve edged with delicate purl.
Baraka carefully stitched the gold purl along the hem of the ceremonial banner.
- bullion
specifically refers to coiled gold or silver wire used in heavy embroidery
- metallic thread
a broader modern term; covers any thread containing metal, not necessarily pure gold or silver
用法筆記
Historically used for ecclesiastical garments, royal robes, and military regalia. Today the term appears mainly in museum descriptions and historical texts.
purl — verb
- purlpresent simple I / you / we / they
- purlshe / she / it
- purledpast simple
- purling-ing form
1. to make a purl stitch when knitting, pushing the needle through the front of eac
to make a purl stitch when knitting, pushing the needle through the front of each stitch to form a row of raised bumps
Tyler purled the first two stitches and then knitted the rest of the row.
pattern: purl + [number] + stitches
Sofie purled every other row as the pattern instructed, shaping the smooth front panel of her cardigan.
Niran sat by the window, purling a soft grey scarf for her niece.
Matthew purled the hat band too tightly, and the fabric bunched up in uneven ridges.
Ravindra taught himself to purl by watching a video late at night.
- knit
the complementary stitch where the needle enters the stitch from behind, producing a smooth 'v' on the facing side
文法句型
purl + [stitch/row]
purl + [number] + stitches
用法筆記
Often paired with 'knit' in instructions: 'knit one, purl one.' A row of purl stitches on one side looks like a row of knit stitches on the reverse.
常見錯誤
2. to decorate the edge or surface of a piece of cloth by sewing it with thread or
to decorate the edge or surface of a piece of cloth by sewing it with thread or fine wire that contains gold or silver
The tailor purled the bishop's heavy silk vestment with intricate gold thread before the Easter service.
Generations of the Hassan family have purled the gold-trimmed hems of coronation robes since the 1600s.
passive: have purled + [garment]
Master craftsmen once purled the edges of royal banners before they were carried into battle.
The general's jacket was purled with silver thread around the stiff collar and cuffs.
文法句型
purl + [fabric/garment] + with + [gold/silver] + thread
用法筆記
This sense is now largely historical. It appears in descriptions of ecclesiastical garments, military dress, and royal ceremonial clothing from the medieval period through the 19th century.
3. to move in gentle circles or spirals, especially of water flowing around stones
to move in gentle circles or spirals, especially of water flowing around stones or obstacles in a shallow stream
The stream purled gently around the smooth stones beneath the wooden bridge.
pattern: purl + around + [noun]
Talia watched the creek purl past the mossy rocks on a warm summer afternoon.
Water purled over the lip of the fountain and splashed into the stone basin below.
Melted snow purled down the slopes of Mount Rainier in tiny rivulets each spring.
文法句型
purl + around/over/past + [noun]
用法筆記
Subject is almost always water — a stream, brook, creek, rivulet, or fountain. Rare in everyday speech; found in descriptive and literary writing. Distinguish from verb/4 (MURMUR): this sense describes the visual swirling motion, not the sound.
4. to produce a gentle, low, continuous sound, like a shallow stream flowing over s
to produce a gentle, low, continuous sound, like a shallow stream flowing over stones
A small brook purled softly in the distance as Reuben set up the tent.
pattern: purl softly
The sound of purling water drifted through the cabin's open window as Eve tried to fall asleep.
Emre fell asleep on the riverbank, soothed by the purling of the shallow stream.
Sofie and Matthew stopped to rest where the spring purled between the exposed tree roots.
- murmur
much broader term for any soft, low sound — people, wind, or water; purl is specifically the sound of a stream
- babble
suggests a brighter, quicker, more playful water sound; purl is lower and softer
- gurgle
implies a deeper, more bubbly sound, often with air mixed in; purl is smoother and more continuous
文法句型
purl + softly/gently
the purling of + [noun]
用法筆記
Subject is typically a stream, brook, spring, or rivulet. Distinguish from verb/3 (SWIRL): this sense describes the SOUND of flowing water, not the visual movement. The word itself is imitative — it echoes the murmuring sound of a gentle stream.