Knitting question: how to do a slip stitch when pattern doesn't specify

[seewah]

I'm a beginning knitter and started a washcloth this afternoon. However, the pattern does not specify if I should be slipping stitches knitwise or purlwise.

 

Here's the beginning of the pattern and how I've been slipping my stitches:

 

Cast on 36 stitches (I do know how to do this part, LOL!)

 

ROW 1: Slip 1, K35. (I slipped this stitch knitwise since the following stitches are to be knitted.)

 

ROW 2: Slip 1, P35. (I slipped this stitch purlwise since the following stitches are to be purled.)

 

ROW 3: Slip 1, P32, K3 (I slipped this stitch purlwise since the following stitches are to be purled.)

 

ROW 4: Slip 1, P2, K15, P15, K3 (I slipped this stitch purlwise since the following stitches are to be purled.)

 

Not sure if I am slipping my stitches correctly. A knitting friend told me once that you slip a stitch based on what stitch comes after the slip. But I also read online somewhere that if a pattern does not specify which way to slip a stitch, that you generally slip it purlwise. Which way is correct?

 

Thanks a bunch for helping this newbie knitter! :)

[LaxMom]

Slip as if to purl unless specified.

 

However, if you've been slipping like that for more than the first four pattern rows, continue going like you've been going. Nobody's going to come and take your needles away. ;)

[seewah]

Thank you SO much! I am only about 6 or 8 rows in, so I may just rip it all out and start over. :)