What a slip stitch is and when to use it
A slip stitch is a stitch you pass from one needle to the other without knitting it. Instead of inserting your needle through the loop, pulling yarn through, and creating a new stitch, you straightforward move the loop itself onto your right needle. The loop stays the same size and shape—you are not tightening or loosening it, just transferring it.
Slip stitches appear in patterns for several reasons. They create a neat edge on the sides of your work, help you pick up stitches later, or let you carry yarn inside your knitting without adding bulk. Some patterns use them to move your working yarn to a different position without creating a visible stitch. Others use slip stitches to create a decorative texture or to join rounds invisibly.
The most common use is the slip stitch edge—slipping the first stitch of every row gives you a chain-like border that looks finished and is easier to pick up stitches from later. You will see this in patterns for blankets, scarves, and garments where a clean edge matters.
Key Takeaways
- A slip stitch moves a loop from your left needle to your right needle without knitting through it, keeping the stitch the same size.
- Slip stitches create neat edges, help you pick up stitches later, and let you move yarn without adding visible texture.
- The most common slip stitch is slipping the first stitch of each row knitwise to create a chain-like selvage edge.
- Your pattern will tell you whether to slip purlwise or knitwise, and whether to slip with yarn in front or back—follow those instructions exactly.
- Slipping too tightly is the most common mistake; keep the tension loose so the stitch does not distort the edge.
How to slip a stitch knitwise
Knitwise means you insert your needle as if you were about to knit. This is the most common slip stitch direction and is what most patterns mean when they just say "slip stitch" without specifying.
Hold your left needle in your left hand with the stitches on it. Bring your right needle toward you, from left to right, and insert it through the front of the stitch on your left needle—the same way you would if you were knitting. Do not wrap yarn around the needle. straightforward slide the stitch off your left needle and onto your right needle. The stitch is now on your right needle, unchanged.
This direction is used most often for edge stitches because it creates a neat, tight selvage. If your pattern says "slip 1 knitwise" at the start of a row, this is the move to make.
How to slip a stitch purlwise
Purlwise means you insert your needle as if you were about to purl. This direction is less common but appears in patterns where a looser or more flexible edge is wanted, or where the slip stitch is part of a texture pattern.
Hold your left needle in your left hand. Bring your right needle toward you, from right to left, and insert it through the front of the stitch on your left needle—the same way you would if you were purling. Do not wrap yarn around the needle. Slide the stitch off your left needle and onto your right needle.
Purlwise slip stitches are often used in colorwork patterns or when you need the stitch to sit a certain way for a decrease or join later in the pattern. Always check your pattern to see which direction is called for.
Yarn position matters: in front or in back
When you slip a stitch, your working yarn is either in front of your work or in back of it. This changes how the stitch looks and how it behaves in the finished fabric. Your pattern will specify which one to use.
Slip with yarn in back (wyib) is the standard for edge stitches. Before you slip, make sure your working yarn is on the back side of your work. Insert your needle and slip the stitch as normal. The yarn stays in back the whole time. This creates a tight, neat edge.
Slip with yarn in front (wyif) is used less often, usually in colorwork or when the pattern needs the yarn positioned a certain way for the next row. Bring your working yarn to the front of your work before you slip the stitch, then slip as normal. The yarn stays in front.
If your pattern does not specify, assume yarn in back. That is the default for most edge stitches.
The slip stitch edge: slipping the first stitch of every row
The most practical use of slip stitches is creating a neat edge by slipping the first stitch of every row. This is so common that many patterns do not even mention it—they expect you to know to do it.
At the start of each row (knit or purl), slip the first stitch knitwise with yarn in back. Knit or purl the rest of the row as the pattern says. On the next row, slip the first stitch again. After several rows, you will see a chain-like edge forming along the side of your work. This edge is much neater than a regular knit edge, and it is much easier to pick up stitches from later if you need to add a border or join pieces.
The slip stitch edge also makes counting rows easier—each chain link represents two rows. This is why many patterns for blankets and scarves call for it, even if they do not say so explicitly.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is slipping too tightly. When you slip a stitch, keep the tension the same as your regular knitting. Do not pull the yarn tight or yank the stitch onto your right needle. A tight slip stitch will distort the edge and make it look uneven. Let the stitch move smoothly from needle to needle.
Another mistake is slipping in the wrong direction. If your pattern says "slip knitwise" and you slip purlwise instead, the stitch will sit differently and may affect how decreases or other stitches work later. Always read the pattern instruction and match it exactly.
A third mistake is forgetting to slip at all. If your pattern calls for a slip stitch edge and you knit the first stitch instead, you will end up with a loose, sloppy edge that is hard to work with. Make it a habit to slip the first stitch of every row when the pattern calls for it, even if it feels slow at first.
When to slip purlwise vs. knitwise: what the pattern tells you
Your pattern will always tell you which direction to use. The abbreviations are straightforward: "sl 1 kwise" means slip one stitch knitwise, and "sl 1 pwise" means slip one stitch purlwise. If the pattern just says "sl 1" with no direction, assume knitwise.
If you are working from a pattern that does not specify, the safest choice is knitwise with yarn in back. This works for almost all edge stitches and is the most common default. If you are unsure, check the pattern notes or abbreviation key—most patterns explain their slip stitch instructions there.
For decorative slip stitches in the middle of your work (not at the edge), the pattern will be very specific about direction and yarn position because it affects the look of the finished fabric. Follow those instructions exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between slipping knitwise and purlwise?
Knitwise means you insert your needle from left to right, the way you would to knit. Purlwise means you insert from right to left, the way you would to purl. The direction changes how the stitch sits on the needle and how it looks in the finished fabric. Most edge stitches use knitwise.
Do I wrap yarn around the needle when I slip a stitch?
No. A slip stitch is just moving the loop from one needle to the other without any yarn wrapping. If you wrap yarn, you have created a new stitch instead of slipping one. Keep your hands still and let the stitch transfer cleanly.
Why does my slip stitch edge look loose and sloppy?
You are probably slipping too loosely or not slipping at all. Keep your tension even with your regular knitting—not tight, but not loose either. Also make sure you are slipping the first stitch of every single row, not just some rows. A consistent slip stitch edge requires consistency.
Can I slip a stitch on a purl row the same way as a knit row?
Yes. The direction (knitwise or purlwise) and yarn position (in front or in back) stay the same whether you are on a knit row or a purl row. If your pattern says "slip 1 knitwise with yarn in back," you do that at the start of every row, knit or purl.
What if my pattern does not say whether to slip knitwise or purlwise?
Assume knitwise with yarn in back. That is the standard for edge stitches and works for almost all patterns. If the pattern needs something different, it will say so in the abbreviation key or pattern notes.