How to Slip Stitch in Knitting

As a knitter, you might have come across various techniques in knitting. The slip stitch is a highly unnoticed yet effective stitch. You should learn this fascinating technique, whether you're a beginner trying to enhance your knitting skills or an expert, to give your projects more texture and strength. It is abbreviated as SL both in UK and US terms. To make this stitch, all you need are your knitting needles and yarn; you just need to slip stitch onto the needles without knitting. Let's explore this creative and essential technique in this blog.

Slip Stitch - Knitting Edge

This technique involves transferring stitches from the left-hand needle to the right without knitting them. Aluminium needles from KnitPro, such as Zing or Smartstix, help you move the stitches quickly. Slip stitch is a versatile method to be used in scarves, socks, or sweaters.

With slip stitch, you can make textured and decorative patterns. Your crochet project will get a lovely drape and neat edges, and you can also use the colorwork technique. Read our quick guide on the technique used in slip stitch in knitting.

How to do a Slip Stitch?

The slip stitch technique is used for giving a shape or within a stitch. You will generally find the instructions on the pattern regarding when to use a slip stitch (sl). As you know, there are two basic stitches- knit and purl, and SL also works similarly when used in the pattern. If there are no clear instructions, just follow the pattern:

1. Slip the Stitch Knit-Wise

In this method, insert your single-pointed knitting needle into the stitch as if to knit (from front to back loop) and transfer the stitches without knitting them, and make sure the working yarn is behind the work.

2. Slip the Stitch Purl-Wise

Similarly, in this method, insert your needle into the stitch (from back to front loop) and transfer the stitches without knitting them, and your working yarn must be behind the work.

3. Slip Stitch Yarn in Front (WYF) and (WYB)

WYF means working yarn in the front, and WYB means working yarn in the back. The front and back portion means yarn placement, not the actual right side (RS) and wrong side (WS).

4. Slip Stitch With Yarn Over the Needle (WYON)

WYON means the position of yarn over the needle. It works with both sides (RS) and (WS). Hold the working yarn in front of the stitch and insert the circular needles into the next stitch from back to front as if to purl and slip the stitch onto the needle, and then, bring the yarn over from front to back and then work the stitch accordingly.

When to Use Slip Stitch in Knitting Patterns

Slip stitch is an easy pattern that does not need any special technique, but simply a transfer of stitches to another needle. However, this allows you to experiment with more designs and add color to your knitted project.

1.  Colorwork Patterns

Without the need for intricate methods like stranded knitting or intarsia, slip stitches give your work depth and dimension. However, the only disadvantage of this is that you have to manage a lot of yarn floats at the back of the work. Read our quick guide for tricks to knit a colorwork pattern.

2. Textured Pattern

There are many techniques for textured knitting, but the slip stitch is the most common among all. Combine the knit and purl techniques and create a dense texture with no stretching. When knitting the garter stitch, in your creation, you get vertical stripes. Slip stitches can produce fabric that is similar to a woven design, making projects involving home décor if you love textured patterns.

3. Neat Edges

For tidy, clean edges, slip stitches are excellent. Slip the first stitch purlwise with the WYF of each row rather than knitting it. This method is great for blanket edges and scarves. When you are working with double-pointed knitting needles in round, in the last stitch, simply slip the stitches, which offers a tight and neat finish

Key Points for Successful Slip Stitch in your Project

Let's follow these essential tips for making your project successful:

●     In case of twisted stitches, unless otherwise noted, make sure you're slipping stitches purlwise.

●     Use a larger knitting needle or a looser gauge if your slipped stitches are tight.

●     It makes a big difference, so always make sure you're slipping yarn in front (WYIF) or back (WYIB).

Slip stitch is an effective knitting method that enhances the appearance and strength of your projects. After gaining confidence when working with slip stitch, you can knit more effectively with the KnitPro knitting needle sets in Symfonie, Dreamz, Zing, or Karbonz. You can create anything from crisp edges to detailed colorwork in your project.