Hi! I’ve knitted before, when I was much younger, and am getting back into the flow by attempting to knit a scarf. I found online instructions, and I thought I was following them exactly, but I just discovered that I’m purling, not knitting. I’m not sure why this is happening, as I’m following knitting instructions, but the few inches I’ve done look like they were purled. I’ve looked at instructions for purling as well as instructions for knitting in print and on video, but I can’t figure out the problem. I feel like a moron, and my friends (none of whom have even tried to knit) are making fun of me. Please help! Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Purl Problem
are you sure you’re purling? Because if you knit every row, it kind of looks like purl bumps (called garter stitch(also achieved by purling every row)). To get the smooth ‘V’ look to the fabric, you need to knit one row and then purl one row. Can you post pictures of what you’re doing/the fabric you’ve made? if you do that, then it will be easier to tell you what you’re doing wrong.
What is the pattern you are working on? I remember when I first started knitting the phrase “knit the purls and purl the knits” confused me. Maybe you are having wording difficulties.
About has a good pic of garter stitch which is what knitting every row looks like.
I would bet you are knitting fine 
The back of a knit stitch is a purl stitch and vice versa. So you’re probably knitting every row and getting garter. Stretch it out a little and I bet you can see Vs between the bumpy ridges.
A lot of scarves are made with garter stitch, so I add my voice to the chorus that says you’re doing fine.
I think your “friends” are jealous of your efforts to learn something new. Your success takes away their excuses for not trying whatever they’ve considered learning/doing, and that makes them uncomfortable.
Keep on keeping on, sister!
Not only are a lot of scarves made with garter stitch, but I’ll add a warning: stay away from trying to make a scarf that looks like all knit on one side (and purl on the other). That’s stockinette stitch and will make the scarf curl into a tube. You’re much better off using garter by knitting both sides (which is what I bet you’re doing).
See, you’re doing great. You’re avoiding that common mistake without even knowing it!
Whew! Thanks soo much! I was doing the garter. I had no idea I had to knit one, purl one to get the effect I was after! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!