What slipping a stitch means and why you do it

Slipping a stitch means moving a loop from one needle to the other without knitting or purling it. The loop stays on the needle exactly as it was, unchanged. You use this technique to move stitches around, create decorative edges, make certain stitch patterns, or prepare stitches for later steps like binding off or decreasing.

Most knitting patterns will tell you when to slip a stitch. The instruction usually appears as "sl 1" or "slip 1" in the written pattern. Learning to recognize and execute this move cleanly makes your finished fabric look more polished and helps you follow more advanced patterns without confusion.

Key Takeaways

  • Slipping a stitch means transferring a loop from your working needle to your other needle without working into it.
  • The most common method is to insert your needle from left to right (knitwise) or right to left (purlwise), depending on what the pattern calls for.
  • Slipping knitwise twists the stitch slightly; slipping purlwise keeps it in its original orientation, which matters for some stitch patterns.
  • A slipped stitch edge creates a neat, finished border on the sides of your knitted piece.

The basic slip stitch motion

Hold your working needle (the one with active stitches) in your left hand and your empty needle in your right hand, as you would for a regular knit row. Locate the stitch you want to slip—usually the first stitch on your left needle.

Insert the tip of your right needle through the stitch from left to right, as if you were about to knit it. Do not wrap yarn around the needle. straightforward slide the stitch off the left needle and onto the right needle. The stitch is now transferred and ready for the next row or the next instruction in your pattern.

The motion is quick and smooth. You are not creating a new stitch or changing the existing one—you are straightforward moving it across. If you find yourself wrapping yarn or creating extra loops, you have gone past the slip and into a knit or purl stitch instead.

Slipping knitwise versus purlwise

Patterns sometimes specify which direction to slip. Slipping knitwise means inserting your needle from left to right, the same direction you would for a knit stitch. This twists the stitch slightly on the needle. Slipping purlwise means inserting your needle from right to left, the same direction you would for a purl stitch. This keeps the stitch in its original orientation.

For most everyday uses—like slipping the first stitch of a row for a neat edge—purlwise is the standard choice because it preserves the stitch's shape. Knitwise slips are used in specific stitch patterns or when you need to twist the stitch intentionally, such as in certain decreases. If your pattern does not specify, purlwise is the safe default.

The difference becomes visible over many rows. A slipped purlwise edge looks smooth and even. A slipped knitwise edge can look slightly twisted or distorted if used for every stitch. This is why edge stitches are almost always slipped purlwise.

Creating a neat edge with slipped stitches

One of the most practical uses for slipping stitches is creating a finished edge on the sides of your knitted piece. Many patterns instruct you to slip the first stitch of every row purlwise. This creates what is called a slipped stitch edge or chain edge.

To work this edge, slip the first stitch purlwise at the beginning of every row—both knit rows and purl rows. Work all the remaining stitches normally. When you look at the side of your finished piece, the slipped stitches form a neat, chain-like border that looks intentional and professional. This edge is also easier to pick up stitches from later if you plan to add a border or second piece.

The chain edge is especially useful on scarves, blankets, and garments where the side seams will be visible. It takes no extra time and requires no special skill beyond the basic slip motion, but the visual difference is significant.

Slipped stitches in stitch patterns and decreases

Beyond edge work, slipped stitches appear in many stitch patterns. Brioche knit, slip-stitch colorwork, and certain textured patterns all rely on slipping stitches to create their distinctive look. In these cases, the pattern will tell you exactly which stitches to slip and in which direction.

Slipped stitches also play a role in decreasing. A slip, slip, knit (or SSK) decrease, for example, requires you to slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then insert your left needle through both and knit them together. This creates a decrease that leans to the left. Learning to slip correctly makes these decreases work smoothly.

When slipped stitches are part of a stitch pattern, pay close attention to the direction specified. The pattern designer chose knitwise or purlwise for a reason—it affects how the finished fabric looks and drapes. Following the instruction exactly will give you the result the pattern intended.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is wrapping yarn around the needle while slipping. This creates a new stitch instead of transferring the existing one, and your stitch count will be off. Remember: insert the needle, slide the stitch across, and move on. No yarn wrapping.

Another frequent error is slipping too tightly. If you pull the yarn too hard when you slip, the stitch becomes bunched and difficult to work into on the next row. Keep your tension consistent with the rest of your knitting. The slipped stitch should move smoothly and sit evenly on the needle.

Mixing up knitwise and purlwise is less serious but still worth avoiding. If a pattern specifies and you do the opposite, your edge or stitch pattern may look different than intended. When in doubt, check your pattern again or look at a photo of the finished project to see which direction makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I slip with the yarn in front or in back?

For most slipped stitches, yarn position does not matter because you are not working into the stitch. However, some patterns specify yarn position for decorative or structural reasons. If your pattern says "slip with yarn in front" or "slip with yarn in back," follow that instruction. Otherwise, keep your yarn in whatever position is comfortable.

What if I accidentally knit a stitch instead of slipping it?

If you notice when ready, drop the stitch off your right needle and slip it instead. If you do not notice until later, you can usually keep going—your stitch count will be off by one, but many patterns are forgiving enough that it will not ruin the piece. For future rows, count carefully and slip the correct stitches.

Can I slip a stitch on a purl row?

Yes. Slip stitches work the same way on purl rows as on knit rows. Insert your needle in the specified direction (knitwise or purlwise), slide the stitch across, and continue. The yarn position may differ depending on your pattern, but the motion is identical.

Why does my slipped stitch edge look loose or sloppy?

Loose edges usually mean you are slipping too loosely or your tension is inconsistent. Try slipping with slightly firmer tension than the rest of your stitches. You can also try slipping the first stitch and the last stitch of each row—this frames the edge and can make it look more intentional and neat.