What a slip stitch is and why you use it
A slip stitch is a stitch you pass from one needle to the other without working into it — you straightforward move it across without knitting or purling. It looks like a vertical line running up your fabric and sits slightly taller and narrower than a regular knit stitch.
Slip stitches serve three main purposes. They create a neat, finished edge on the sides of your work (especially useful for pieces you'll seam together later). They help you carry yarn up the side of your knitting without adding bulk. And they let you skip a row in a pattern without creating a visible gap — useful when you're changing colors or following a complex design.
You'll see slip stitches called for in patterns with the abbreviation sl or sl 1. Most patterns also tell you which direction to slip — knitwise or purlwise — because that changes how the stitch sits on your needle.
Key Takeaways
- A slip stitch moves a loop from your left needle to your right needle without working into it, leaving the stitch unworked.
- Slipping knitwise (left to right through the front) twists the stitch slightly; slipping purlwise (right to left through the back) keeps it in its original position.
- For a neat edge, slip the first stitch of every row knitwise and work the last stitch normally.
- Slip stitches are most visible and useful on the edges of your work, where they create a chain-like line that's straightforward to seam.
How to slip a stitch knitwise
Knitwise slipping is the most common direction. Insert your right needle through the stitch on your left needle from left to right — the same direction you would go if you were about to knit it. Push the needle through the loop but do not wrap yarn around it. straightforward slide the stitch off your left needle and onto your right needle.
When you slip knitwise, the stitch twists slightly on your needle. This twist is intentional in many patterns because it tightens the edge and makes seaming cleaner. If your pattern says "sl 1 knitwise" or just "sl 1" without further direction, this is the stitch to use.
How to slip a stitch purlwise
Purlwise slipping keeps the stitch in its original orientation without twisting it. Insert your right needle through the stitch on your left needle from right to left — the direction you would go if you were about to purl. Do not wrap yarn. Slide the stitch off your left needle and onto your right needle.
Purlwise slipping is less common but appears in patterns where you need the stitch to sit flat and untwisted — often when you're working a decorative stitch or preparing to work into that stitch later from an unusual angle. Your pattern will specify "sl 1 purlwise" if this is what you need.
Slipping stitches at the edge of your work
The most practical use of slip stitches is creating a neat selvage (edge). At the start of each row, slip the first stitch knitwise. At the end of the row, work the last stitch normally (knit or purl it, depending on what the pattern calls for). This creates a chain of loops along both sides of your fabric that's straightforward to pick up and seam.
Do not slip both the first and last stitch — that wastes yarn and creates a loose edge. The combination of a slipped first stitch and a worked last stitch gives you the tightest, neatest result. Over many rows, this edge becomes visibly different from the rest of your fabric: it looks like a thin braid running up each side.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most frequent error is slipping too loosely. If your slip stitches are slack, your edges will look uneven and your seams will be harder to work. Keep the same tension on your slip stitches as you do on your regular stitches — do not loosen your yarn hand just because you are not working into the stitch.
Another mistake is slipping in the wrong direction. If your pattern says "sl 1 knitwise" and you slip purlwise instead, the stitch will sit differently and your edge will not look as intended. Read the pattern instruction before each row until slipping becomes automatic. Many knitters write "sl 1 kw" (knitwise) at the start of their pattern notes as a reminder.
A third pitfall is slipping the last stitch of the row. This creates a loose, unraveled-looking edge. Always work the last stitch — knit it or purl it according to the pattern. Only the first stitch gets slipped.
When to slip stitches in colorwork and texture patterns
In stranded colorwork (two-color knitting), you sometimes slip stitches in the color you are not currently working with. This carries the unused yarn up the side of your work without adding bulk. Slip these stitches purlwise to keep them flat, and always keep your tension consistent so the carried yarn does not show on the front of the fabric.
In texture patterns like brioche knitting or certain cable designs, slip stitches let you skip a row without creating a visible hole. The pattern will specify exactly when and how to slip. Follow the instructions precisely because the visual effect depends on the stitch sitting in the exact position the pattern designer intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does slipping a stitch count as a row?
No. A slip stitch does not count as a worked row in your pattern. If you slip the first stitch and then knit the rest of the row, you have still completed one row. The slip stitch is just the first action of that row.
What is the difference between slipping knitwise and purlwise?
Slipping knitwise twists the stitch slightly on your needle; slipping purlwise keeps it untwisted. Knitwise creates a tighter edge and is used more often. Purlwise is used when you need the stitch to stay in its original position, usually for decorative or structural reasons the pattern will specify.
Can I slip stitches on both edges of my work?
You can slip the first stitch of every row on both sides, but always work the last stitch. Slipping both the first and last stitch wastes yarn and creates a loose edge. The standard practice is slip first, work last.
Why does my slip stitch edge look loose?
You are likely slipping too loosely. Keep the same tension on your slip stitches as on your regular stitches. If the edge is still loose after you tighten your tension, you may be slipping both the first and last stitch — check your pattern and make sure you are only slipping the first stitch of each row.
Do I need to slip stitches if my pattern does not mention them?
No. Slip stitches are only used when the pattern calls for them. If your pattern does not mention slipping, work every stitch normally. Adding slip stitches where they are not called for will change the stitch count and the finished size of your work.