Learn how to slip one stitch (sl1) knitwise and purlwise in your next knitting projects with this easy tutorial!
Slipping one stitch (sl1) is a knitting technique that moves a live knitting stitch from one needle to the other without knitting or purling it. There a tons of reasons for slipping stitches in knitting including decorative edges, mosaic knitting, and even jogless stripes.
There are two ways to slip stitches, you can either slip one stitch knitwise or slip one stitch purlwise.
How is Slip One Stitch abbreviated in knitting?
Slip one stitch is abbreviated as “sl1” in knitting patterns. In most cases the pattern will say either sl1 knitwise or sl1 purlwise to tell you which way to slip the stitch.
Can you slip more than one stitch?
Yes, the pattern could say sl2 or sl3 and in that case you would slip 2 or 3 stitches one after the other.
What if knitwise or purlwise is not indicated?
If the pattern simply says sl1, generally speaking you should slip the stitch purlwise. However, common knitting wisdom says that the exception to this rule is if the slipped stitch is part of a decrease stitch like skp, for example, then you should slip the stitch knitwise.
How to Slip One Stitch Knitwise (sl1 knitwise)
- Insert the right knitting needle into the first stitch on the left knitting needle from right to left as if to knit.
- Slip the stitch off the left needle and onto the right needle without knitting or purling it.
How to Slip One Stitch Purlwise (sl1 purlwise)
- Insert the right knitting needle into the first stitch on the left knitting needle from left to right as if to purl.
- Slip the stitch off the left needle and onto the right without knitting or purling it.
What does wyib or wyif mean?
In some patterns the instructions will tell you sl1 wyif. And that’s confusing. Wyif is the abbreviation for “with yarn in front” and simply means to hold the working yarn in front of your work as you slip the stitch. This can be used in some decorative stitches like the diagonal slip stitch. Because the instructions don’t say otherwise, you would slip that stitch purlwise.
On the other hand, wyib is the abbreviation for “with yarn in back” and that means to hold the working yarn in the back of your work as you slip the stitch. Again, unless it says otherwise, slip the stitch purlwise.
What do you do if wyif or wyib is not indicated? Keep the working yarn where it is before you slip the stitch!
What does psso mean?
Psso is a knitting abbreviation often found with slipped stitches and psso means “pass the slipped stitch(es) over” meaning once you have slipped a stitch or stitches to the right needle, you will probably then knit a stitch or two and then you will lift the slipped stitch(es) on the right needle, with the tip of the left or your fingers, and bring them over the stitch you knit and drop them off the right needle.
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