Slip Stitch
A slip stitch is moved from the left to the right needle without being knitted, used in edges, decrease combinations, and mosaic knitting.
Explanation
A slip stitch is passed from the left to the right needle without being worked through. It can be slipped either as if to knit (twisting it) or as if to purl (not twisting it), depending on what the pattern calls for, and this affects how the stitch sits afterward. Slip stitches are used in edge techniques for a neater border, in decrease combinations like 'sl1, k1, psso', and form the very basis of mosaic knitting, where stitches are slipped in a contrasting color to build up a pattern.
Also known as: sl, Slipped stitch
How to slip a stitch
A slipped stitch is moved from the left needle to the right without being worked. Whether the yarn is held in front or behind while you slip determines whether the strand shows on the right side or hides on the wrong side.
Unless the pattern says otherwise, slip purlwise — that is, insert the needle as if to purl. That preserves the stitch’s orientation.
What it is used for
Slipped stitches create mosaic patterns, reinforce sock heels by making the fabric denser, and produce tidy selvedges. They also feature in many decreases, where a slipped stitch is passed over a knitted one.
Because the slipped stitch spans two rows, it draws the fabric in vertically — which is exactly what makes a heel flap hard-wearing.
Common mistakes
- Slipping knitwise when the pattern assumes purlwise, which twists the stitch.
- Holding the yarn on the wrong side while slipping, leaving a visible strand on the right side.
Keywords
- slip stitch
- slipping stitches
- sl1
Frequently asked questions
Should I slip knitwise or purlwise?
Purlwise, unless the pattern explicitly says knitwise. Slipping purlwise preserves the stitch orientation.
Why are slipped stitches used in sock heels?
Because they make the fabric denser and thicker, so the heel withstands considerably more wear.