Slipped stitches add great texture and fun patterning.
You should keep in mind that slipped stitch patterns tend to grow more slowly in height. A few things to keep in mind with slipped stitches:
- the row is made up of fewer new stitches; the slipped stitches get stretched over 2 or more rows
- the work is denser (think of the slip stitched heel)
- they tend not to curl
I often recommend you work a slipped stitch pattern with larger needles if you’re not intentionally trying to create a denser area (again, like the heel of a sock).
One of the most often used places for slipped stitches is to break up pooling, flashing and striping in yarn. The differing heights of the rows do a good job of interspersing colors. Take a look at the Bella socks:
Linen stitch gives you lots of options when you introduce color changes. Look at La Coquette (all the way above, right) in our Fall 2016 issue for a great example of linen stitch worked with three colors.
Working one-color linen stitch is easy. Over an even number of sts:
Row 1 (RS): *K1, sl 1 wyif, rep from * to end.
Rows 2: *K1, sl 1 wyib, rep from * to end.
The slipped sts are slipped purlwise, meaning you don’t twist the stitch when moving it to the right needle. You move it like you’re getting ready to work a purl stitch.
Note that for both, the stitch IS NOT twisted. I’m repeating this because it’s so important.
My pattern says to slip purlwise
Slipping a stitch purlwise is the same as sl 1 wyib.
What can I do with Slipped Stitches?
Now that you’re armed with how to make slipped stitch patterns, you’ll think of lots of places to put them:
- In a shawl for a fun change.
- On the patterning of a sock to mix the colors of a funky skein of hand dyed yarn.
- Along the edge of a sweater or neckline, like in Unwrapped.
- Or, like in La Coquette, to combine multiple colors
Add this simple stitch to your work. A few Knotions patterns that use slipped stitches:
- Unwrapped top-down pullover
(along the edges and on the belt) – in sizes 28-54″
- La Coquette scarf
- Rainbow Chain blanket (left)
- Bella socks (the pic above)
Give slipped stitches a try. They’re easy and add a great accent to your knitting!
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