Slip stitch patterns – technique and knit designs

At Önling we love learning new knitting techniques and share knitting inspiration. We have therefore made a New Year’s resolution to create a series of posts about different knitting techniques, so we can all learn new cool things and find inspiring patterns with new techniques. This post is about slip stitch patterns, and soon there will be many more techniques to learn at our knitting blog.

Slip stitch patterns with one or more colors

Slip stitch patterns refer to a group of patterns, that create beautiful structures or color patterns by the simple technique of slipping stitches from the left needle to the right needle, without knitting or purling them. By slipping stitches, you actually pull a stitch from the previous row up between the new stitches. If you do that while knitting with only one color, this can create interesting structures in your knitting project. However, the true magic happens when you change color between the rows. When you do that, slipping stitches (and thereby pulling stitches up from previous rows), makes it possible to create a whole range of beautiful color patterns, even though you only knit with one color at a time. Slip stitch patterns are therefore easier to knit, than the more complicated stranded color patterns such as fair isle. If you want to try a simple project with slip stitches in two colors, we can recommend the Slip Stitch Pepita Purse.

Slip stitch patterns with 3 colors

Slip stitch patterns can be knit with 1, 2, 3 or even more colors. When knitting with 3 colors, you can either knit stripes in new, interesting ways, or even find slip stitch patterns that integrate all 3 colors in a single, stunning pattern. An example of such a slip stitch pattern intended for 3 colors, is used for our Advent 2018 Makeup Clutch.

Learn slip stitch techniques with video

In order to knit slip stitch patterns learning how to correctly slip the stitches, is obviously the most important part of the technique. Which stitches to slip and how to hold the yarn while slipping the stitch, will be determined by the specific pattern and is as such clearly outlined in the pattern or diagram. When you know the slip stitch technique it is therefore easy to learn new patterns and combine colors in new ways. In this video Knit Purl Hunter shows brilliantly how to slip stitches in different ways.

Knit designs with slip stitch patterns

At Önling we have a large selection of knitting projects with slip stitch patterns. In addition to the two make up clutches mentioned above, these stunning designs deserve to be highlighted:

Hisho shawl by Olga Jazzy features a shifting slip stitch pattern which helps to achieve that 3-dimensional look.

Maxi shawl by Hanne Falkenberg uses the slip stitch technique to create a graphic zigzag pattern.

Short jacket by Helene Jensen uses an advanced slip stich pattern with 6 colors and yarn overs, for a truly unique look and structure.

Anva bag from Önling combines slip stitch pattern and dip dye color change to a gorgeous shoulder bag.