Expert: Lesley Arnold-Hopkins - 5/14/2009

Question
i am just wondering when it says (sl 1, k to the end of row). Does that mean that i am to slip 1 knit 1 or just slip the whole row knit side .. then another row reads (sl 1, p to last st k1). I know this is similar but i am also wondering what it is asking

Answer
Hi Ashleigh,

Thanks for your question.

Sl1, K to the end of the row is only asking you to slip the first stitch and then knit as normal (this gives a nice straight edge, sometimes known as a selvedge stitch).

These instructions can be confusing, as they are so similar; however, if you were to slip the whole row (assuming you're working on straight needles, rather than circulars) your yarn would be at the wrong end of the row to work the next, and you would not have increased the length of your knitted piece.

Many patterns include a slip 1 at the beginning, as it will make the edges neater and easier to sew up.

I hope that this helps, but if anything is unclear, please shout.

Thanks

Lesley