Slip first and last stitch

I have noticed on some videos that the first and last stitch is slipped. The explanation is that it makes edge neater (I think). The patterns I’ve done so far don’t give this instruction. Is this something people just know and routinely do or only in certain circumstances?

1 Like

Hello
Sometimes the edges of flat knitting can be a bit loose and messy, slipping the first or last stitch of the row can tighten up the edge.
I don’t think it would be the first AND last in every row or that would make it uneven.

Some people like to do this in all their knitting regardless of whether the pattern says to or not, it’s personal choice. I don’t do it as my edges aren’t so bad and they go into the seam (of a sweater) anyway but if you were making a blanket or scarf with open edges you might want to.

Personally I would avoid on a lace pattern as I’m not experienced enough to work out how it might effect the pattern. On flat knitting of stocking stitch or garter or seat stitch etc though it is a useful tip to know.

Maybe try out a swatch for yourself and just compare how it looks?

3 Likes

If the pieces are going to be seamed, you don’t usually need to do a slip-stitch selvedge (e.g. garments, blanket squares).

If the pieces or edges are going to stand alone, then you might like to use a technique to neaten the edges (e.g. dishcloths, scarves).

Selvedge treatments usually involve slipping a stitch, or knitting into the back of a stitch. There are a few ways of doing it, so you would need to test them out on your swatch.

(There are other selvedge treatments that don’t involve slipping stitches, but I won’t get into them and overwhelm you with information.)

There’s a nice tutorial for a simple slip-stitch option in this blog article (scroll down towards end of article:

2 Likes

Thanks for the info. I first started with several scarves. Wished I’d known this then. But this is a glorious journey of learning!

3 Likes

If you have a scarf with a less than neat edge you can add edging on, it all depends on your personal journey of discovery and what you want to try out. Even picking up stitches and immediately casting them off along an edge will do some neatening and looks attractive and doesn’t involve a fancy new stitch to learn.
Of course there are also fancy new stitches you can edge with too.

1 Like

I am a stickler for a selvedge and I pretty much always slip the first st purlwise and knit the last stitch. If the pattern requires it, I’ll add those two stitches to make it happen all nice.

I knit a lot of baby blankets and always use the slip the first stitch method. It does make for a neater edge to your work.

I wouldn’t slip both first and last stitches for the reason mentioned above.

If your pattern doesn’t say to slip the first stitch, just go ahead and do it. Don’t add a stitch, just slip the first one and continue on with your pattern.