In this knitting stitch tutorial, we will be learning how to knit this beautifully textured and easy stitch. Using only garter stitch, slipped stitches, and an occasional purl, you can make a ribbed stitch that looks way more complicated than it actually is.
The sample I’m using in this tutorial is a scarf in progress using this stitch. I love the way the heathered grey yarn looks with this stitch!
You could easily use Garter Slip Stitch Rib for a scarf like I am doing, or even incorporate it into a sweater or blanket. Scroll down for the YouTube tutorial for this stitch!
I do a selvage on almost every single knit project I do. This creates a neat border, and is invaluable if you have to do any seaming on your project. I incorporate it right into the pattern stitches, so there is no need to cast on any extra stitches. I’ve included the instructions for this in the Stitches Used section, but this is totally optional. Let me know in the comments if you would like to see a video tutorial for how I do a selvage!
Materials:
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Yarn in Grey Heather, which is a worsted #4 weight yarn.
- #8 (5mm) needles. I used long double pointed needles for the sake of this tutorial, but straight needles or circular needles are fine.
- Optional stitch marker for denoting right side.
Stitches and Abbreviations Used:
- Cast on
- Knit (k)
- Purl (p)
- Slip purl-wise with yarn in back (slpwyib) [See Figure A below.]
- Bind off
- Optional Selvage: Slip the FIRST stitch of every row purl-wise with yarn in front and knit the LAST stitch of every row through the back loop.
Written Instructions:
Cast on
Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 3. (4x + 3) For the pictured scarf, I cast on 43 stitches.
Set-up Row
Knit the first row.
Repeat
Row 1 (Right Side–Use marker to denote if needed): *k3, slpwyib 1,* rep from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 2: *k3, p1,* rep from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat these 2 rows until you reach your desired length.
Bind off, weave in your ends, and block if desired.
Notes:
Notice that you are knitting the first and last 3 stitches of every row, and that you are slipping the same stitch every right side row. On the wrong side, these slipped stitches are purled. The slip stitch is the only stitch that is purled in the whole pattern.
Have you tried this stitch? Please let me know in the comments! Happy Knitting, Lena
YouTube Tutorial:
Affiliate Disclaimer: Posts will at times link to yarns and materials I use in my patterns, reviews, and tutorials. Every review and recommendation will always be my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase an item through one of these links, you will not pay any extra, but I may receive a small commission which helps me continue to provide content. Thank you for your support.
At the beginning you say: I incorporate it (the slip the first stitch, knit the last stitch selvage edge) right into the pattern stitches, so there is no need to cast on any extra stitches. But in the directions and tutorial you don’t do it. I really like doing the selvage edge – it looks so nice! Can you clarify this for me? Should I add on two stitches to do it? Thank you 🙂
Hi Linda, I can see how the way I originally wrote the post sounds confusing, so thank you for bringing that to my attention. You can cast on an extra 2 stitches. If you did, the instructions would look like this:
Selvage: Slip the FIRST stitch of every row purl-wise with yarn in front and knit the LAST stitch of every row through the back loop.
Cast on 4x + 5 stitches.
Row 1 (Right Side): Slpwyif, *k3, slpwyib 1,* rep from * to last 4 stitches, k3, k1 through back loop.
Row 2: Slpwyif, *k3, p1,* rep from * to last 4 stitches, k3, k1 through back loop.
Repeat these 2 rows until you reach your desired length.
The way I did the selvage on the scarf shown in the picture was to incorporate it into the same number of stitches (4x + 3). If you wanted to do that, the instructions would look like this:
Cast on 4x + 3 stitches.
Row 1 (Right Side): Slpwyif, k2, slpwyib 1, *k3, slpwyib 1,* rep from * to last 3 stitches, k2, k1 through back loop.
Row 2: Slpwyif, k2, p1, *k3, p1,* rep from * to last 3 stitches, k2, k1 through back loop.
Repeat these 2 rows until you reach your desired length.
I hope that makes more sense. If you have any more questions, please let me know. I hope to update some of my older posts soon. Happy knitting!
Thanks so much for the quick response and for re-doing the directions for either way of doing it! I really appreciate it! I have never done a knit through the back loop, though. What is the reason that you do that? I guess I will google it to see how to do it. Thanks again!
I was also wondering if this is a pattern/stitch that curls or lays flat? I love when patterns tell you this information and how the reverse side looks – it’s so helpful. Thank you 🙂