What a slip stitch does and when to use it
A slip stitch is a stitch you pass from one needle to the other without working it — you straightforward move it across without inserting your needle through it or pulling yarn through. It looks like a single vertical line on your fabric and sits slightly taller and looser than a knit stitch.
Slip stitches serve three main purposes: they create a neat, finished edge on the sides of your work, they help you join rounds invisibly in colorwork, and they let you carry yarn up the side of your piece without adding bulk. Many patterns call for slipping the first stitch of every row to make selvage edges that look polished and are easier to seam later.
The stitch itself takes two seconds once you know the motion. The confusion usually comes from the two ways to slip a stitch — knitwise and purlwise — which change how the stitch sits on your needle and how it behaves when you work into it later.
Key Takeaways
- A slip stitch moves a loop from your left needle to your right needle without working it, creating a vertical line on your fabric.
- Slip knitwise (inserting your needle left to right) twists the stitch; slip purlwise (inserting right to left) keeps it in its original position.
- Most patterns that ask you to slip the first stitch of every row want you to slip purlwise to keep edges neat and even.
- You slip without yarn in front or back unless your pattern specifically says otherwise, which is rare.
How to slip a stitch knitwise
Insert your right needle through the stitch on your left needle from left to right — the same direction you would insert it to knit. Do not wrap yarn around your needle. straightforward slide the stitch off your left needle and onto your right needle. That is the entire motion.
Slipping knitwise twists the stitch slightly because you are entering it from the knit direction. This twist matters when you work into the stitch later — the legs of the stitch cross over each other. Most patterns do not ask for this unless they specifically say "slip knitwise" or "slip as if to knit."
How to slip a stitch purlwise
Insert your right needle through the stitch on your left needle from right to left — the same direction you would insert it to purl. Do not wrap yarn around your needle. Slide the stitch off your left needle and onto your right needle.
Slipping purlwise keeps the stitch in its original position without twisting it. The stitch sits the way it did on your left needle. This is the default slip stitch for edge stitches and most other uses, and it is what most patterns mean when they say "slip 1" without specifying a direction.
Slipping with yarn in front or back
Some patterns ask you to slip a stitch with yarn in front (wyif) or yarn in back (wyib). This means you move your yarn to the specified side before you slip, then move it back after. The yarn position does not change how you slip the stitch itself — you still insert your needle purlwise or knitwise and move the loop over without working it.
Yarn in front or back is usually used in colorwork or textured patterns where you want a float of yarn on one side of your work. If your pattern does not mention yarn position, assume you slip with yarn in its normal position — in back on a knit row, in front on a purl row.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
The most common mistake is inserting your needle knitwise when your pattern wants purlwise, which twists the stitch and makes your edges look uneven. If you notice your selvage edges are bumpy or your stitches sit at odd angles, check whether you are slipping in the right direction.
Another mistake is accidentally working the stitch instead of slipping it — you insert your needle and pull yarn through, which creates a new stitch instead of moving the old one. This happens when you are not paying attention or when you forget that slip stitches do not involve yarn at all. Slow down on the first stitch of each row until the motion becomes automatic.
A third mistake is slipping too tightly, which makes your edges pucker. Slip stitches should move freely across your needle. If you are pulling hard when you slide the stitch over, loosen your tension slightly — your right needle should glide under the stitch with minimal resistance.
Using slip stitches for selvage edges
The most practical use for slip stitches is creating a neat edge that is straightforward to seam. At the start of every row, slip the first stitch purlwise. Knit or purl the rest of the row as normal, then work the last stitch as usual. On the next row, slip the first stitch again.
This creates a chain of slipped stitches down both sides of your work. When you seam two pieces together, you pick up the horizontal bars between these slipped stitches, which creates a seam that is nearly invisible and sits exactly at your edge. Patterns that ask you to "slip 1 at each end" are asking for this technique.
Slip stitches in colorwork and texture
In colorwork patterns, slip stitches let you carry yarn across the back of your work without creating a stitch. If your pattern shows a stitch in a color you are not currently working with, you slip that stitch instead of knitting it, and the yarn floats behind. This is common in Fair Isle and jacquard patterns where you want a smooth, even fabric without the bulk of carrying yarn inside every stitch.
In textured patterns, slip stitches create visual interest. Slipping stitches in alternating rows can produce a brioche-like effect or a ribbed texture without the complexity of actual brioche knitting. Always check your pattern to see whether you slip knitwise or purlwise, as this changes how the texture looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between slip knitwise and slip purlwise?
Slip knitwise twists the stitch because you enter it from the knit direction. Slip purlwise keeps the stitch untwisted. Most patterns want purlwise unless they say otherwise, because untwisted stitches sit evenly and are easier to work into later.
Do I always slip the first stitch of every row?
No — only if your pattern tells you to. Many patterns do ask for this to create neat edges, but some want you to knit or purl the first stitch normally. Read your pattern instructions at the start to see what it says about edge stitches.
Can I slip a stitch if I am working in the round?
Yes, but it is less common because circular knitting does not have edges to finish. Slip stitches in the round are usually used in colorwork to carry yarn across stitches you are not working, or to create texture. Follow your pattern's instructions for direction and yarn position.
What happens if I slip too tightly?
Your edges will pucker and look uneven. Slip stitches should move freely. If you are pulling hard when you slide the stitch over, relax your tension — your right needle should glide under the stitch easily.
Can I use slip stitches to fix a mistake?
No — slip stitches are a deliberate technique, not a fix. If you made a mistake, you will need to drop down and pick up the stitch or rip back and reknit. Slip stitches straightforward move a stitch from one needle to another without working it.