Textured Stitch
Slip Stitch Pattern (sl st)
Used For
- Mosaic knitting
- Textured borders
- Faux colorwork without carrying multiple yarns per row
- Simple textured stitch patterns
Stitches slipped rather than worked, used to create mosaic color patterns and textured fabric without stranding.
Instructions
- Cast on an even number of stitches.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit 1, *slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn held at the back, knit 1; repeat from * to the end.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
- Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for the desired length.
Tips & Notes
- Slipped stitches are never worked, so they get pulled slightly by the stitches on either side — this is what creates the dense, slightly padded texture.
- This exact structure, alternated with a plain row, is the basis of "heel stitch," prized for reinforcing sock heels because the slipped stitches add extra thickness.
- Mosaic knitting uses this same slip-stitch mechanic across two colors, worked two rows per color, to build geometric patterns without ever stranding yarn.