Chapter -6 Create Knits by Slipping

Knit and Purl are the two basic stitches that we use to create all kinds of variations in hand knitting, as we saw in the last chapter. We venture further now and learn to create interesting fabrics by slipping stitches, along with knitting and purling. We will also be able to create Cable look-alikes by this method, before we come to actual cables in the next chapter. HOW TO SLIP A STITCH To slip a stitch we move the stitch from the right hand needle to the left hand needle without knitting or purling. Follow the instructions while slipping the stitch as to the position of the yarn, because it makes a lot of difference to the knit sample. When you slip a stitch, remember to always slip the stitch on to the other needle without looping with the working yarn. Just slip it purl wise. (This avoids twisting the loop). The working yarn will always be on the left hand needle, unless it is the first stitch of a new row. In this section we will deal with the double stitch, tweed stitch, the eye of partridge stitch and mock cables. Whenever a fabric is knitted by slipping stitches, regularly it becomes dense and thus increases the wear and tear of the fabric, but reduces its stretch ability.

Stitch 1 The Eye of Partridge Stitch This stitch creates a dense fabric and is particularly useful while knitting heels for socks, (as that is a high wear area). Instructions: 1. Cast on 26 to 30 stitches (keep the number even). 2. Row 1- *Bring the yarn forward, Slip1 (purlwise), take the yarn back, K1, repeat from * till the end. 3. Row 2 - * Bring the yarn forward, Slip1 (purlwise), P the rest of the stitches. 4. Repeat these two rows again and again. 5. Continue knitting till 20 rows (or as many as you like) 6. Cast Off. 7. Result AN EYE OF PARTRIDGE fabric Sample. Notes:
Chapter -6, Create Knits by Slipping by Toolika Gupta

1. This may be a little tricky to knit. 2. Pay attention while knitting. 3. The result is a thicker fabric because you are slipping every alternate stitch. 4. This is good for high wearing areas like heel and ankle area of socks. 5. You can add variations by changing colours.

Figure 1 The Eye of Partidge stitch

Stitch 2 Tweed Stitch Instructions: 1. Cast on 26 to 30 stitches (keep the number even). 2. Row 1- *Bring the yarn forward, Slip1 (purlwise), take the yarn back, K1, repeat from * till the end. 3. Row 2 - * Take the yarn back, Slip1 (purlwise), bring yarn forward, P1, repeat from * till the end.

Chapter -6, Create Knits by Slipping

by Toolika Gupta

4. 5. 6. 7.

Repeat these two rows again and again. Continue knitting till 20 rows (or as many as you like) Cast Off. Result A Tweed fabric Sample.

Figure 2 Tweed Knit

Notes: 1. This requires attention and patience to knit. 2. It creates a dense and sturdy Fabric. 3. The result is a thicker fabric because you are slipping every alternate stitch. 4. This is a smart knit for jackets, or even ties. 5. You can add variations by changing colours.
MOCK CABLES BY SLIPPING STITCHES Creating cables seems complicated, but in fact it is a lot of fun. To begin with, we will create Mock Cables, which require only two needles, as you have used. After attempting these, we will shift on to true cables in the next chapter. STYLE 1 - Three knit, SLIP stitch Cable This style will produce an interesting effect, which will be achieved by slipping one stitch, and then binding the knit stitches with this slipped stitch. Follow the instructions given below to produce a sample like the one in the picture: Instructions: 1. Cast on stitches in multiples of 5 and then add two more. (I have used 20+2 =22 stitches)

Chapter -6, Create Knits by Slipping

by Toolika Gupta

2. Row 1 P2, *K3, P2, repeat from * 3. Row 2 K2, *P3, K2, repeat from * 4. Row 3- P2, *slip 1 (keep the yarn at the back and slip the stitch as if to purl), K1, bring the yarn in front, so that it is now in between the needles and take it back wrapping the needle and creating an extra loop on the needle, K1, now you have three loops on the needle, after the slipped stitch; now pull the slipped stitch over these three and bind them, yarn in front, P2, repeat from *. 5. Row 4 K2, *P3, K2, repeat from * 6. Repeat these four rows, to get the pattern shown. 7. Result A three knit, slip stitch cable. Notes: 1. In this you are creating a RIB stitch with 2 purl and three knit stitches. But in the third row, you are slipping the first knit stitch, creating a loop between the remaining two knit stitches, to compensate for the slip stitch, and then binding them to create an interesting pattern. 2. This little variation adds interest to the pattern, and adds value to the surface. 3. You can also try other variations, but remember to create a loop for the slip and binding stitch, else you will end up reducing the number of stitches. 4. With a little colour variation you can achieve interesting results.

Figure 3Three knit slip stitch cable (false cable)

STYLE 2 - SLIP stitch Eyelet Cable This style produces an eyelet effect, which is achieved by slipping one stitch in Row 1, and then adding another stitch in Row 2 to compensate the loss. This one stitch which gets missed

Chapter -6, Create Knits by Slipping

by Toolika Gupta

will create the eyelet effect. Follow the instructions given below to produce a sample like the one in the picture: Instructions: 1. Cast on stitches in multiples of 5 and then add two more. (I have used 20+2 =22 stitches) 2. Row 1 P2, *slip 1 (keep the yarn at the back and slip the stitch as if to purl), K2, pass the slipped stitch over the two knit stitches, P2, repeat from * 3. Row 2 K2, *P1, yarn round the needle to make another loop, P1, K2, repeat from * 4. Row 3- P2,* K3, P2, repeat from *. 5. Row 4 K2, *P3, K2, repeat from * 6. Repeat these four rows, to get the pattern shown. 7. Result A slip stitch eyelet cable.

Figure 4SLIP stitch Eyelet Cable

Notes:

Chapter -6, Create Knits by Slipping

by Toolika Gupta

1. This is similar to the last style, here we are compensating for the slip stitch in the next row, and not in the same row. 2. The loop is created in Row 2 between two Purl stitches, this gives the eyelet effect. 3. This little variation adds interest to the pattern, and adds value to the surface. 4. You can also try other variations, but remember to create a loop for the slip and binding stitch, else you will end up reducing the number of stitches. 5. With a little colour variation you can achieve interesting results.

Chapter -6, Create Knits by Slipping

by Toolika Gupta