A quick tutorial on the possibly most important brioche knitting technique

In knitting, SL1yo (sometimes also SL1&yo) stands for slip one and yarn over. It’s one of the three basic stitches in brioche knitting. It’s typically before in one switch motion, and that’s why it was awarded its own name.

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Instructions: How to SL1yo

No Ratings

The steps for 'slip one and yarn over' will be the same - no matter if you are working the brioche stitch flat, in the round, or in two colors. No matter if the stitch you need to sl1yo appears to have a V at its base or a purl bump.

Active Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Materials

Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

Any type of knitting needle. I am using the Knitter's Pride Dreamz here

Instructions

Bring the work yarn to the front (yarn forward).
Insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle purlwise (so from right to left).
Wrap the working yarn around the needle towards the back and pin it in place using your right index finger. This will create a yarn over.
Slip the stitch over to your right needle without knitting it. Keep the tips close to each other and try not to stretch out the stitch too much as you lift it over.
Your sl1yo is already finished. Make sure to secure the yarn over with your index finger as you continue according to the pattern.

Notes

With a bit of practice, you should be able to slip and yarn over at the same time. Basically you wrap the yarn around the needle as you slip in one smooth motion. Watch the video to see how I do it.

finished sl1yo stitch - seen close-up/macro shot — How to the finished sl1yo will appear on your needles after you secured it with the next stitch.

It’s important to understand that you ALWAYS slip the stitch purwlise, and you always layer a standard yarn over on top of it. The yarn over will appear to cross it. So, no matter if your next stitch is brioche knit (brk) or a brioche purl (brp), you always slip the stitch purlwise with the yarn held in front.

The key to understanding this action lies in comprehending that brioche knitting is a form of double knitting. So, you always knit each row twice. First, you knit what will be the front side and slip all stitches of the back side. And then you turn around to work what will be the back side, slipping all stitches of the front side you’ve already knitted.

The yarn over should, in this context, not be seen as an actual increase or an actual stitch. It’s rather a way to connect the two sides that would otherwise create a pocket. In fact, if you slip the stitch with the yarn held in front without adding the yarn over, you will create double stockinette stitch instead.