I use the Norwegian method of purling, and am trying to figure out how to do pfb with this method. I tried searching for how-to videos, but all I can find are ‘how to Norwegian purl’ or ‘how to pfb’, never both. Does anyone have a video or tutorial that would help me?
Thanks,
Jen
Good question! I’m so glad you asked. In looking around and thinking about it I tried (again!) and I finally got the Norwegian purl and I think I really like it! I didn’t know Amy had a Norwegian purl video here, it was the one that finally made it click. It’s amazing what Googling can do. About 160 purl sts later i think I have it and like it. Anyhow…I digress…
I was playing around and decided that for pfb I would do one of two things. 1) p[B]b[/B]f instead, it looks like it might do the trick and was easier than trying to pfb; or 2) pick a different increase.
What’cha knittin’? Got a link? If you can’t get a pfb or pbf to work to your satisfaction maybe we can help you pick a different increase.
I LOVE Norwegian purling! It’s the only purl that ever clicked for me.
I was getting ready to cast on for a small shawl called Groovy. The pattern calls for you to knit the odd rows with a kfb as the last stitch, and purl the even rows, with a pfb as the first stitch. (There’s more too it, obviously, but as it’s not a free pattern, I don’t want to share anymore than that).
I’ll play around with pbf and see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestion!
I wonder if the M1 increase would work here. When I’ve wanted to replace the kfb I would knit the stitch and then do a M1 so the increase was in the same place as the kfb would put it, after the stitch that would have had the increase, but I didn’t have the purl bump. You could M1p if the purl bump is important to the pattern. [I]Groovy[/I] looks like fun!
I’ve done a few more rows of moss stitch and think this might be my way to purl now. I was going to ask if you might switch to regular Continental purling for the pfb but maybe that isn’t an option. It would be a bit of a pain anyhow.
Switching to regular Continental purling would be pretty difficult! I have never been able to purl that way and have it flow easily. I did a little happy dance when I learned about Norwegian purling.
I’m going to play around with different increases and see what will work. Thanks again for your advice!
Not advice, thoughts and suggestions. What works for you is what matters. I appreciate your asking as now I can purl Norwegian and feel pretty good about it. 
I switched to Norwegian style a few years ago and this is a question I ask myself anew every time I need to pfb.
There is an NP group on Ravelry and someone recently asked this very question. There was no great answer, just a link to a regular purling video. (:shrug:)
Personally, this is my least favorite increase whether I’m knitting NP, continental or English, but here’s how I do mine:
-Purl the front leg as usual.
-but Don’t pull the stitch off the needle!
-Position the right needle behind the back leg.
-Purl as usual including pulling the finished stitch off the needle.
Basically, it’s the same directions for a regular pfb except the yarn is coming from the NP direction.
I think this increase results in an little odd little stitch that’s just sorta hanging on. So I could be doing it incorrectly. I would love to know if I am doing it correctly, so I hope someone else with more experience will comment here. :waving:
Let me know if you don’t understand my instructions and I’ll try to post a video of this. Theoretically, my camera should be able upload to the interwebs.
Hey, Rie, it’s good to hear from someone experienced. I just tried it again and it did work doing it the way you said. I did a Continental pfb right beside it and from the front I couldn’t tell a difference, there did seem to be a small difference in appearance on the back. I’m with you, it’s not a fave for me either. I usually don’t like kfb either and tend to replace them both with something else when I can. When I tried it before I had fewer than 200 NPs done. I’ve worked a few more rows now and have gone back and forth between the two methods and I really think the NP is the way I’ll go from now on.
Hey ya GrumpyGramma! :waving:
Thank you for testing both side by side - I need the outside reassurance especially with increases and decreases. I’m so glad it looks normal.
Isn’t NP a great way to change it up? 
I only get tired of it when I have miles and miles of st st, like this sweater I’m currently working on.
That’s cute! I can knit English but I haven’t yet been able to purl English. I knew I’d never want to try ribbing English, I thought Continental was made for it. Now I think ribbing with NP is going to be the way to go. I’m doing k2, p2 for moss stitch and it’s easier. Yes, it’s a great way to change it up. I like knowing more than one way to do things anyhow. If it looks good to you, you like it, that’s what your normal is. I understand about wondering how things compare, though. I really couldn’t tell much difference. I thought the little stitch looked odd when I tried it but it looks odd when I do it Continental too. It’s nice to know I can do it but I still will avoid it when possible. My long history with patterns of any sort is that they’re a starting point and reference guide. There is no commandment that states: Thou shalt not deviate from the pattern. :angelgrin: Good thing, I’d just have to break it. :mrgreen:
I played around a bit and the M1 increase looks just fine. And much easier than the impossible norwegian pfb or even pbf, which I found tricky.
Thanks to you both for your suggestions!