If you’ve ever knit something flat, whether a washcloth, scarf or blanket, chances are you are really familiar with the concept of turning your work at the end of each row. It’s second nature! But have you ever encountered a pattern that asks you to turn your work at the end of some rows and to slide your work at the end of others? This is known as the Turn + Slide technique.

Turn + Slide is used for working stripes or multi-color patterns while knitting flat (most often one-row stripes, but two-color linen stitch is also common). Here’s why you need a technique for these situations: Imagine you work a row in Color A and now you want to knit the next row in Color B, but when you turn your work to do that, the Color B yarn isn’t there; it’s back at the beginning of your needles. The simple way around this obstacle is to use circular needles and the Turn + Slide technique. Watch our video tutorial below, which is particularly helpful if you’re knitting our Color Wash Blanket, or follow along with the instructions at the bottom of the page!

TURN WORK

“Turn work” means to do what you would normally do when knitting rows: Transfer the needle from your left hand into your right hand and the needle from your right hand into your left, flipping the work around so the other side is facing you. 

SLIDE WORK

“Slide work” means to keep the same side of the work facing you and to push all the stitches to the right end of the circular needles. Without turning the work, just start the new row as you normally would. You will know you’re doing this technique correctly when the yarn you need to complete the next row is right there waiting for you!

That’s all there is to Turn + Slide. Give it a try with our Colorfield Hand Towels, Sunday Dinner Dishtowels, Nature’s Palette Wrap or Blanket, or our Color Wash Blanket!