How to Slip Stitch in Knitting: The Basic Technique and When to Use It

What a slip stitch is and why you need it

A slip stitch in knitting means moving a stitch from one needle to the other without knitting it. You insert your working needle through the stitch as if you were going to knit, but instead of wrapping yarn and pulling through, you straightforward slide the stitch onto the new needle. The stitch itself stays intact — you are not creating a new loop, just repositioning the old one.

Slip stitches serve several practical purposes. They let you move stitches around without changing their structure, which matters when you are shaping a garment or setting up for a decrease. They also create a neater edge on pieces you will seam together later, because the edge stitches sit more evenly. Some patterns use slip stitches to create texture or a deliberate visual effect.

The stitch is straightforward enough that you can learn it in a few minutes, but understanding when and how to use it matters more than the motion itself. A slip stitch done wrong will distort your fabric or make your decreases sit crooked.

Key Takeaways

• A slip stitch moves a loop from one needle to the other without creating a new stitch, keeping the original loop intact.
• Slip stitches are worked knitwise (as if to knit) or purlwise (as if to purl), and the direction changes how the stitch sits on your next row.
• Slipping the first stitch of a row creates a neat, finished edge that looks professional when you seam pieces together.
• Most decreases — like SSK (slip, slip, knit) — begin by slipping stitches, so learning the motion correctly prevents twisted decreases.

How to slip a stitch knitwise

Knitwise slip is the most common direction. Insert your right needle through the stitch on your left needle from left to right, the same way you would if you were about to knit it. Do not wrap yarn. straightforward slide the stitch off the left needle and onto the right needle. The stitch now sits on your right needle in the same orientation it had on the left.

Use knitwise slip when you are about to decrease that stitch on the next row, or when a pattern specifically calls for it. The stitch stays in its original position, which matters for decreases like SSK, where you slip two stitches knitwise, then knit them together through the back loop.

How to slip a stitch purlwise

Purlwise slip means inserting your right needle through the stitch as if you were about to purl it — from right to left. Slide the stitch onto the right needle without wrapping yarn. The stitch rotates slightly as it moves, which changes how it will sit when you work it on the next row.

Purlwise slip is often used for edge stitches, especially on the first stitch of a row. It creates a chain-like edge that looks neat and sits flat when you seam. Many patterns that call for slipping the first stitch of every row mean purlwise, though you should check your pattern to be sure.

Slipping the first stitch for a neat edge

One of the most useful applications of slip stitch is slipping the first stitch of every row. At the start of a knit row, insert your needle purlwise through the first stitch and slip it without knitting. Then knit the rest of the row as normal. On purl rows, slip the first stitch purlwise as well.

This creates a chain of loops along the edge of your piece. When you later seam two pieces together, these loops give you something solid to work with, and the seam sits flatter and looks more finished. The edge also curls less and holds its shape better than an edge where every stitch is knitted.

If your pattern does not mention edge stitches, slipping the first stitch of each row is a safe habit that improves the look of your finished work, especially on pieces you will seam.

Slip stitches in decreases like SSK

The decrease called SSK (slip, slip, knit) relies on slip stitches to work correctly. Slip one stitch knitwise, slip a second stitch knitwise, then insert your left needle through both stitches from left to right and knit them together. This creates a decrease that leans to the left.

The key is slipping both stitches knitwise so they sit in the same orientation on your right needle. If you slip them purlwise, they will twist and your decrease will look uneven. Many knitters make this mistake without realizing it, which is why their SSK decreases look different from their knit-two-together decreases.

Other decreases like SSSK (slip three stitches, knit them together) follow the same rule: slip knitwise, then knit through the back loop.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is slipping too tightly. When you slip a stitch, keep the same tension you use for regular knitting. If you pull hard, the stitch stretches and the next row will have a loose spot. Slip with the same even motion you use for every other stitch.

Another mistake is slipping in the wrong direction. If a pattern says to slip purlwise and you slip knitwise instead, the stitch will sit differently on your next row, which can throw off the look of a decrease or edge. Read your pattern and pay attention to the direction called for.

Some knitters also forget to slip at all and knit the stitch instead, which defeats the purpose. If you are trying to create a neat edge or set up a decrease, a knitted stitch will not give you the result you want. Mark your pattern or count your stitches to make sure you slipped when you meant to.

When you do not need to slip

Not every stitch should be slipped. Most of your knitting is regular knit and purl stitches. Slip stitches are tools for specific situations: creating edges, setting up decreases, or following a pattern instruction. If your pattern does not call for a slip stitch, knit or purl as normal.

Some patterns use slip stitches to create a texture or color effect, like slipping stitches in a contrasting color to make them float on top of the fabric. In those cases, the pattern will tell you exactly which stitches to slip and in which direction. Follow the pattern rather than guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between slipping knitwise and purlwise?

Knitwise slip inserts the needle left to right, the same direction as a knit stitch. Purlwise slip inserts the needle right to left, the same direction as a purl stitch. The direction changes how the stitch sits on your needle, which matters for decreases and edges. Knitwise keeps the stitch in its original position; purlwise rotates it slightly.

Do I have to slip the first stitch of every row?

No, but it is a good habit if you plan to seam your pieces together. Slipping the first stitch creates a neat, chain-like edge that is easier to seam and looks more finished. If you are making a piece that will not be seamed, like a scarf or blanket, slipping is optional.

What happens if I slip a stitch the wrong direction?

The stitch will sit in a different orientation on your needle, which can make decreases look twisted or uneven. For edge stitches, the wrong direction may create a looser or less neat edge. Always check your pattern for the direction called for, especially in decreases.

Can I slip a stitch with yarn in front or back?

Yes. Slipping with yarn in front (wyif) or yarn in back (wyib) is common in colorwork and textured patterns. The yarn position does not change the slip itself — you still move the stitch without knitting it — but it affects how the yarn sits in your fabric. Your pattern will specify the yarn position when it matters.

Is slip stitch the same as a slip knot?

No. A slip knot is the loop you cast on with at the start of a project. A slip stitch is moving an existing stitch from one needle to another without knitting it. They are completely different techniques with different purposes.