Slip Stitches Onto a Stitch Holder
When a pattern asks you to, for example, "knit 8 stitches, then slip these stitches onto a holder", it's easy to get a little confused as to which way to do it. See Step 1 for more instructions.
Contents
Steps
- Knit your 8 stitches, or whatever the pattern calls for.
- Using your stitch holder (which usually look like big safety pins), feed the long skinny metal or plastic spiky part through the stitches you just worked, from the one you knit first (or, the farthest one back on the right needle) to the nearest one/last one done.
- When you have to pick those up again, you just slide them without twisting onto the left needle, closest stitch to furthest stitch.
Tips
- Some people find it easier (but more nerve-wracking sometimes) to grasp firmly at the base of those worked stitches and remove the right needle, leaving the loops open for you to feed the stitch holder through. You DO run the risk of dropping one this way, or twisting your stitches.
- If you do happen to get them on the stitch holder backwards, slip them onto a third needle, then back onto the right needle. You're back in the right order.
- You can also go from closest to furthest away, but you'll have to pick those stitches up again from the furthest to the closest, and it's often easier to feed the dinky little stitch holder arm through than it is a big fat needle. Either way's fine, as long as you're keeping the stitches from unravelling.
Warnings
- Don't twist your stitches! It shows on the finished piece.
- If you're a tight knitter, it may be a little hard to get the holder-arm through the base of the stitches. Be patient, and you'll be rewarded with a great finished piece.
Related Articles
- Knit the Garter Stitch
- Knit the Purl Stitch
- Knit the Duplicate Stitch
- Use a Stitch Holder in Knitting
