Understanding Knit and Purl Slip Techniques in Knitting

Knitting, a timeless art, involves various techniques to create intricate and beautiful fabric. One such technique is slipping stitches, which involves sliding a stitch from one needle to the other without working it. This seemingly simple action can dramatically affect the fabric, resulting in distinct textures and designs. This article delves into the nuances of slipping a stitch knitwise and slipping a stitch purlwise, explaining the distinctions and their implications on the final fabric.

Basics of Knit and Purl Stitches

To understand these techniques, it's crucial to grasp the fundamentals of knit and purl stitches. Knit stitches are created by pulling a loop through another loop from front to back, while purl stitches are formed by pushing a loop through another loop from back to front. This fundamental difference in direction is critical when it comes to slipping stitches correctly.

Slipping a Stitch Knitwise

Slipping a stitch knitwise refers to the process of transferring a stitch from the left needle to the right needle without working it, and keeping the yarn in the back of the work. This technique is typically used when the stitch needs to maintain its original position in the pattern or when a specific increase or decrease is required, such as a slip-knit-passover technique.

To slip a stitch knitwise:

Keep the yarn in the back of the work (wrong side of the fabric). Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch from the front, exactly as if you were going to knit it. Slide the stitch off the left-hand needle and onto the right-hand needle. The stitch will now be on the right-hand needle, but with the left arm in the front and the right arm in the back.

Slipping a Stitch Purlwise

Slipping a stitch purlwise involves the opposite process. It is used to maintain the original stitch position but with a different phase. To slip a stitch purlwise:

Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch from the back, i.e., behind the front right leg and in front of the back left leg, as if you were going to purl the stitch. Slide the stitch off the left-hand needle and onto the right-hand needle. The stitch will maintain the original twist, with the right arm in the front and the left arm in the back.

Implications on the Fabric

The choice between knitting stitch and purl stitch affects the fabric's appearance, texture, and direction. Here's how they influence the final result:

Standard Mount

In standard mount, the stitches are on the left-hand needle with the right side (visible side of the fabric) forward. This is the default or most common position for knitting. However, switching the mount can lead to different outcomes, which is crucial for specific stitch patterns or decreases.

Slipping Stitches and Mount Preservation

According to most knitting patterns, when a pattern instructs to 'slip a stitch', it typically means to slip it purlwise. This preserves the fabric's original direction. Conversely, slipping a stitch knitwise changes the mount:

If the stitch is slipped knitwise, the left arm moves to the front, and the right arm to the back.

Pattern Considerations

The choice of which slip method to use largely depends on the pattern requirements:

Even Stitch Placement: Decreases, such as slip-knit-passover, often call for slipping knitwise to ensure the stitches lay evenly. Introducing or Removing Twists: Some patterns may necessitate changing the mount to introduce or remove twists in future rows.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between slipping a stitch knitwise and slipping a stitch purlwise is essential for any knitter. These techniques allow for more control over stitch direction and texture, enabling the creation of various stitch patterns and intricate designs. As you practice these techniques, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the art of knitting and the numerous possibilities it offers.