46 knittingmag.com
TECHNIQUES
SUPER SLIP STITCH
PART 1: TEXTURE
While I treasure all things knitty, there is one technique that
continues to amaze and entertain me: slip stitch. I just love the
endless possibilities. Slip stitches on the right side, the wrong side or
both can create interesting and striking textures, while fascinating
patterns can be created when other shades are introduced.
In this first part, we’ll explore using slip stitches to create texture
using just one shade, where the stitches are slipped with the yarn in
front, behind and both. Patterns can involve slipping one stitch or
multiple stitches, and over single or multiple rows. These stitches
can be slipped up, across or diagonally to produce all-over patterns
or motifs.
There are some key principles of slip stitch patterning. Always
spread out the slipped stitches so that the strand or float of
working yarn stays loose across the back or front of these stitches,
giving an elastic fabric. Slip stitches purlwise, unless otherwise
stated. You will work with only one yarn at once, leaving the other
at the side of your work (isn’t that great – no fiddly managing
two yarns at the same time!). And you will also find that slip
stitch patterns grow quickly – there will be less complex stitch
combinations, for instance cables, which can slow you down.
However, there are more rows to a slip stitch pattern than a normal
one, as the slipped stitches compress the rows together, creating
a more dense fabric. Another important note is that the pattern
should always state which side to hold the yarn when slipping
stitches. I use notation by author and knitting expert Barbara
Walker, who uses wyif (with yarn held at the front) and wyib
(with yarn held at the back) to note where the yarn is held
when slipping stitches.
Stitches can be slipped when you work a right side or wrong side
row, and with the yarn at the front or the back. This sounds more
complicated than it is. If you want the strands to be on the right side
of your work, then the yarn will be at the front on a right side row and
at the back on a wrong side row when slipping stitches. If you want the
strands to be hidden on the wrong side of your work, then the yarn will
be at the back on a right side row, and the front on a wrong side row.
WORKSHOP WITH JO ALLPORT
Some slip stitch patterns work by slipping stitches on right side
rows only, and some on every row, and others in a combination.
There are slip stitch patterns for everyone from beginners all the
way through to experts.SLIPPING SINGLE STITCHES WITH FLOATS
ON THE WRONG SIDE
One of the simplest slip stitch patterns is based on stocking stitch,
with one stitch slipped at a time on a right side row with the yarn held
at the back, and a plain purl row for each wrong side row. Sock knitters
will be familiar with this stitch pattern from heel flaps, where it is
used to reinforce the heel as the resulting fabric is thicker than plain
stocking stitch. Note how the slipped stitches appear more prominent.Slipped Stitch Rib is another simple pattern based on single slipped
stitches on only one row. Worked over five stitches, it is based on
p1, k3, p1 rib, with the central knit stitch being slipped. As withHeel Stitch