In this pattern, there are selvage stitches at the beginning and end of each row. The directions for the “S” selvage stitch at the end of the row is as follows:
“sl 1 purlwise, wyif”
I looked up the abbreviations and understand how to slip stitch purlwise, but I’m stumped with the “with yarn in front”. Is there a stitch here at all, and what is it?
The directions are just being overly cautious. When you purl you bring the yarn to the front to make the stitch. When you are told to slip purlwise, you should automatically do the same i.e. bring the yarn to the front, then slip the next st without actually purling it.
Sometimes, a pattern will tell you to slip a stitch purlwise with the yarn in back (wyib), which would be different than a normal purl stitch is made.
The directions are just reminding you to slip purlwise in the standard manner i.e. wyif.
So, this being the end of a row, no stitch is actually done? Simply slipped to the right needle and then begin the next row?
Yes, that’s right. There must be a reason for the “wyif” and maybe it has to do with the look of that edge.
When you are told to slip purlwise, you should automatically do the same i.e. bring the yarn to the front, then slip the next st without actually purling it.
That’s not quite correct - slipping purlwise or knitwise only refers to how the R needle enters the stitch, the yarn placement sometimes doesn’t matter. Often you slip purlwise but leave the yarn in back for the next st. Here, it does tell you to have the yarn in front.