What slip knitting is and when to use it
Slip knitting means moving a stitch from one needle to the other without working it—you don't insert your needle through the loop, pull yarn, or create a new stitch. Instead, you straightforward slide the loop across. It looks like you skipped that stitch entirely, and that's the point. The stitch sits on your needle unchanged, waiting for you to work it later or leave it as is.
Slip knitting shows up in almost every knitting pattern because it solves real problems. It creates a neat edge on your work, prevents twisted stitches, joins colors cleanly in colorwork, and lets you fix mistakes without ripping back rows. Once you understand the motion, you'll recognize it everywhere in patterns—usually written as "sl 1" or "slip 1."
Key Takeaways
- Slip knitting means moving a stitch to your working needle without knitting it, keeping the loop intact and unchanged.
- The direction you slip matters: slip knitwise (needle goes in from left to right) or slip purlwise (needle goes in from right to left), depending on what the pattern calls for and what you're trying to achieve.
- Slipping the first stitch of every row creates a chain-like edge that looks professional and makes seaming easier later.
- You can slip multiple stitches in a row to move them out of the way, hold them for later, or create intentional gaps in your fabric.
The two ways to slip a stitch
There are two slip motions, and the pattern will tell you which one to use. The difference is which direction your needle enters the stitch.
Slip knitwise means you insert your working needle from left to right, the same direction you would if you were about to knit that stitch. You don't pull yarn or create a new loop—you just slide the stitch off the left needle and onto the right needle. This is the most common slip in patterns and is often the default when a pattern just says "slip 1" without specifying.
Slip purlwise means you insert your working needle from right to left, the direction you'd use for a purl stitch. Again, you don't work the stitch; you straightforward move it across. Slip purlwise is gentler on the stitch itself because the needle enters at a different angle, and patterns use it when they want to preserve the stitch's shape or when the stitch will be worked later in a specific way.
If you slip a stitch the wrong way, it will twist slightly on the needle. This matters most when you're working colorwork or when the pattern depends on the stitch sitting flat. If you slip knitwise when you should slip purlwise, the stitch will lean one direction; if you slip purlwise when you should slip knitwise, it will lean the other. Most of the time, the pattern will specify which direction, so read the instructions before you start the row.
Creating a neat edge by slipping the first stitch
One of the most useful slip techniques is slipping the first stitch of every row. This creates what's called a chain edge—a neat, braided-looking border that runs up both sides of your piece. Instead of the edge stitches looking loose or uneven, they form a tight chain that's straightforward to pick up later when you seam pieces together or add a border.
To do this, slip the first stitch of every row purlwise (insert your needle from right to left), then work the rest of the row as the pattern says. When you reach the end of the row, work the last stitch normally. On the next row, slip the first stitch again. You'll see the chain form as you work row after row.
This technique works on both knit and purl rows. The chain edge is especially valuable if you're planning to seam your pieces together later, because the chain stitches give you a clear line to follow and make the seam invisible. Even if you're not seaming, a chain edge straightforward looks more finished than a raw edge.
Slipping stitches to hold them for later
Sometimes you need to move stitches out of the way temporarily so you can work other stitches first. Slip knitting lets you do this without dropping stitches or losing your place. You can slip one stitch or several in a row, depending on what you need.
For example, if a pattern says "slip 3 stitches knitwise," you insert your needle knitwise through the first stitch, slide it onto your working needle, then repeat for the second and third stitches. All three now sit on your right needle, unchanged. You can then work the stitches that follow, and later you'll work those slipped stitches in whatever way the pattern directs—often as part of a cable, a decrease, or a colorwork section.
This is also how you hold stitches on a cable needle. Instead of using a cable needle, some patterns ask you to slip stitches onto your working needle, work the next few stitches, then work the slipped stitches. The slipped stitches sit safely on your needle the whole time, waiting their turn.
Using slip stitches to fix twisted stitches and mistakes
If you notice a stitch is twisted on your needle—the loop is sitting backwards—you can fix it by slipping it purlwise. The purlwise slip untwists the stitch without working it, so it sits correctly for the next row. This is much faster than ripping back.
Slip knitting also helps when you've made a small mistake a few rows back and don't want to rip out your whole piece. You can slip stitches onto a holder, rip back to the mistake, fix it, and then pick the held stitches back up. Because you slipped them instead of working them, they're still intact and ready to go.
Slipping stitches in colorwork and stranded patterns
In colorwork patterns where you're working with two colors in the same row, you often slip stitches in one color while holding the other color. This moves the stitches you're not working yet to the side, keeping them out of the way and preventing tangles.
When you slip a stitch in colorwork, the yarn floats behind it (or in front, depending on your pattern). The pattern will tell you which color to hold and which stitches to slip. Slip knitwise is standard in colorwork because it keeps the stitches from twisting and makes the floats sit evenly behind your work.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is slipping too tightly. If you pull the yarn hard when you slip, the stitch becomes small and tight, and it will look different from the stitches around it. Slip with the same tension you use for regular knitting—the stitch should move smoothly onto your needle without resistance.
Another mistake is slipping in the wrong direction. Always check the pattern before you start a row. If it says "slip 1 knitwise," use the knitwise motion. If it just says "slip 1," knitwise is usually the default, but some patterns are different, so a quick read prevents frustration.
A third mistake is forgetting to slip the first stitch of a row when the pattern calls for it. This breaks the chain edge and leaves you with a loose, uneven border. If you're slipping the first stitch of every row, make it a habit—slip first, then work the rest of the row.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between slip knitwise and slip purlwise?
Slip knitwise inserts the needle left to right (like a knit stitch) and is the standard slip. Slip purlwise inserts the needle right to left (like a purl stitch) and is gentler on the stitch. Patterns specify which one to use based on how the stitch will be worked next or how they want it to sit on the needle.
Do I slip with the yarn in front or in back?
It depends on the pattern. Most of the time, you slip with the yarn in the same position it would be for the next stitch you're about to work. If you're about to knit, keep the yarn in back. If you're about to purl, keep it in front. The pattern will tell you if it's different.
Can I slip more than one stitch at a time?
Yes. You can slip as many stitches as the pattern calls for—slip 3, slip 5, slip 10—by repeating the slip motion for each stitch. They all move to your working needle in the same order they were on the left needle.
What if I slip a stitch and it looks twisted?
You likely slipped in the wrong direction. If a stitch is twisted after you slip it, you can slip it again in the opposite direction to untwist it, or you can work it on the next row and it will usually straighten out. Check the pattern to see which direction you should have used.
Does slipping a stitch count as a row?
No. Slipping a stitch doesn't create a new stitch or a new row—it just moves the stitch across. You're still on the same row until you reach the end and turn your work.