Slip one and then what?

[nancyinItasca]

I'm making a doll's skirt that is pleated. The directions go like so:
K5. *Sl1. K4. P1. K9.* Next row: P4. *K1. P4. K1. P9*. When I look up my beginner instructions, they tell me to slip one, knit one and then pass the slip stitch over the knitted one. These directons do not say to do that. As you can see, I will be knitting 5 stitches followed by the slip st. On the next row, I will knit 1 and purl 4 resulting in an unruly stitch combo on the purl side and sometimes on the right side. Is this a printing mistake? Or am I just making bad knitting mistakes? I'm tired of taking out 150 stitches and starting over. Any help would be appreciated. NancyinItasca

[mwhite]

The directions seem alright. I think you're reading more into it.... If you are supposed to sl, k1, pass slipped st over, that's what it would say or SKP. Do just what it says: K5, *Sl1, k4, p1, k9.... there is so "psso" and it should tell you to repeat from the * around, which means you only do the K5 at the beginning.
On the next row: P4, *K1, p4, k1, p9. Again, repeat from the * around and only do the P4 at the beginning.
Hope this helps!

[knitasha]

What mwhite says.

The slip stitch helps create the pleated effect, which is really a variation of a rib stitch. Just follow the directions for three or four rows and you'll see the pattern beginning to emerge.

There are many uses for slip stitches other than as part of an SKP sequence. They're used to make neat edges; for multi-color mosaic knitting; for sock heels, and more.

[suzeeq]

You're just slipping the stitch, not making a decrease. So slip the st from the left needle to the right and knit or purl the rest of the sts in the row.