Slip first st of every row - I know HOW, but why?

[defenestator]

Hello - I'm knitting these cuffs
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kf...cessories.html
you knit a rectangle then sew it into a tube. It says to slip first st of every row - I know HOW, but why? Is this to facilitate the sewing up?
alison :?:

[roxyquiksilver34]

I always slst the first st on a row b/c it keeps the edge neat and tight, IMO easier to sew up or looks nicer if it's the free edge

:D

[amy]

Ah yes, to slip or not to slip, the perennial question...

Each has it's advantages, which I'm still learning about. Apparently, not slipping can make for the nicest, most invisible seams, on medium weight yarn. I've yet to try this.

I have always slipped, but I may change my mind when I experiment more with seaming and not slipping. Also, I want to experiment more with picking up stitches on a non-slipped edge. You can pick up stitches quite nicely on a slipped edge, if done properly, but it can be a neusance to find the proper hole to pick up alternate stitches in, unless you're picking up only one stitch for two rows, then it's a breeze.

For stockinette selvedges that won't be sewn, I definitely like the slipped edge look.

It's really a personal preference. People swear by both!

For that pattern, with that fuzzy yarn, slipping makes perfect sense, because it's easier to sew up, and you won't notice a gap from only doing one stitch every 2 rows.