Slip stitch is more of a knitting technique than a stitch. Abbreviated as Sl in knitting patterns (both Uk and US) the stitch can be used in a variety of ways. All you need is your knitting needles (single-pointed, double-pointed, fixed circular or interchangeable)and yarn. It is a very simple technique and one clearly by its name. You simply slip a stitch into the other knitting needle without working on the stitch.
In knitting, slip stitches are used in multiple ways, though the idea remains the same- slip the stitch to the other needle. While working with stainless steel knitting needles you can enjoy stitch-making all the more. The stitch is used for knitting back and forth (flat) as well as round (circular knitting). The technique is used to create an even edge on your finished garment or create shapes or interesting colourful patterns or even tighten the last stitches of the round.
A knitting pattern that calls for a slip stitch (sl), will usually indicate how to slip the stitch knit-wise or purl-wise but many times you need to understand how to do it according to the stitch pattern or the project you are working on. So, let’s take a look at how to slip stitches and also when we need to work with the stitch technique.
- Slip the Stitch Knit wise
Insert your knitting needle in the stitch as if to knit, but then transfer the stitch from the left needle to the right needle without knitting. The working yarn will remain behind the work.
- Slip the Stitch Purl wise
Insert the knitting needle in the stitch to purl but then again simply move the stitch to the other needle. The yarn will remain behind the work.
Besides knitwise and purlwise slipped stitches, there are many instructions you would find in knitting patterns. Here’s how you do it.
- Slip Stitch with Yarn in Front (WYF) or Yarn in Back (WYB)
WYF simply means “with working yarn in front” and WYB means “with working yarn in the back”. A common mistake knitters make with WYB or WYF is they assume that ‘back’ or ‘front’ means the right and wrong sides of the piece. However, in this case, front and back refer to the placement of the yarn.
- Slip Stitch with Yarn on the Needle (WYON)
WYON means the yarn is carried on or over the knitting needle. It is worked on both sides of the pattern – WS and RS the same way. Hold the working yarn in front of the stitch and insert the right knitting needle into the next stitch from back to front as if to purl and then slip the stitch onto the needle. Bring the yarn over the knitting needle from front to back of the stitch, placing it next to the slipped stitch (sl) and work the next stitch according to the pattern.
Learning the slip stitch is simple and will allow you to incorporate new designs and more colours into your knitted garments.
- Slip Stitch Colourwork Methods
Slip stitch in colourwork knitting patterns can create a similar effect to Fair Isle or Mosaic knitting, but more simply. Non-knitters won’t know the difference! All you need to do is change colours and slip stitches.
When working slip stitch colourwork patterns, you’ll end up with lines of spare yarn, called ‘floats in the back. It’s essential to keep these floats loose enough so that the front of the piece does not pucker. The key thing to remember is not to pull the floats too tight. It helps to keep the stitches evenly spread on the right needle after they have been worked.
Here’s a good tip if you are new to this technique: Knit a gauge swatch and practice a segment of the slip-stitch pattern before diving into the project. Right after you work the slip stitch section of the pattern, gently spread the stitches on the right-hand needle to an even tension. Working on circular knitting needles for colourwork methods have bonus points. The needle length allows the spreading of the stitches making it easy to see clearly.
Once you get the hang of it and see how your floats can lay flat and not droop or look tight, you will be confident in maintaining that tension on a bigger project.
- Slip Stitch Chain for Neat Edges
Besides being a beauty on its own, a slip-stitch chain makes your knitting pattern look neat. In fact, it is the commonly used knitting trick for neat edges. While working on a project like a scarf or a dishcloth or even a blanket, slip stitches edges are handy.
- Slip Stitch for Seamless Rounds
Slip stitch when knitting in the round allows a seamless start of a round. Whether you are working with double-pointed needles or circular needles when you get to the last stitch of the round, simply slipping the stitch offers a tight and neat finish.
The slip stitch in knitting has endless possibilities. Do give it a try!