How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet

Almost every crochet project starts with a slip knot. It’s the adjustable loop that attaches your yarn to the hook so you can begin chaining. It takes seconds to make, and once you’ve made a few, your hands will do it without thinking.

A slip knot is not a stitch and is never counted as one. And it’s not the same as a slip stitch, which is a short stitch worked into your fabric.

You’ll need

• Yarn — a smooth worsted weight is easiest to see
• A crochet hook in the size your yarn label suggests

Two ends of the yarn

• Tail: the short loose end. Leave about 6 in (15 cm) so you can weave it in later.
• Working yarn: the long end that leads to the ball. All your stitches are made from this.

Method 1: The loop-and-pull slip knot

1. Measure about 6 in (15 cm) from the end of the yarn.
2. Make a loop by crossing the working yarn over the tail, so the working yarn lies on top.
3. Hold the crossing point between your thumb and middle finger.
4. Reach through the loop with your hook (or fingers) and catch the working yarn.
5. Pull the working yarn through the loop to form a new loop.
6. Place the new loop on your hook if it isn’t already there.
7. Pull the working yarn gently to tighten the loop around the hook.

Method 2: The twist-and-hook slip knot

This version is fast once you’re used to it.

1. Lay the yarn across your palm with the tail hanging toward you.
2. Wrap the working yarn once around two fingers to make a loop.
3. Insert your hook under the strand at the back of the loop.
4. Catch the working yarn and pull it through the loop.
5. Slide the loop off your fingers and tighten it on the hook by pulling the working yarn.

Both methods make the same knot. Use whichever your hands prefer.

Tip: Snug the knot until it fits the hook’s shaft, then stop. It should slide freely along the hook — a too-tight slip knot makes your first chain hard to work.

Checking that it’s right

A correct crochet slip knot:

• Tightens when you pull the working yarn.
• Firms up the knot itself, without changing the loop size, when you pull the tail.
• Slides along the hook easily.
• Doesn’t unravel when you pull both ends.

If pulling the working yarn does nothing and the tail adjusts the loop instead, you’ve made the mirror version. It still works, but many crocheters prefer the working-yarn version because you can tighten the loop as you go without reaching for the tail.

What to do next

With the slip knot on your hook, you’re ready to chain:

1. Yarn over — wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front.
2. Pull through the loop on the hook. That’s your first chain.

Common mistakes

• Leaving too short a tail. Under 4 in (10 cm) is hard to weave in. Aim for about 6 in (15 cm).
• Pulling the slip knot too tight. It squeezes the hook and makes the first chain hard to work.
• Making a plain overhand knot. If the loop won’t change size at all, it’s a fixed knot. Undo it and start again.
• Counting the slip knot as a chain. It’s never counted.

When you don’t need a slip knot

Some techniques start without one. The magic ring (adjustable ring) begins amigurumi and circles with a loop you can pull closed, and some crocheters start a chain by simply twisting the yarn around the hook. For most flat projects, though, a slip knot is the standard start.

FAQ

Does the slip knot count as a stitch in crochet?

No. The slip knot is only an anchor. Start counting with the first chain you make after it.

Which end of the yarn do I pull to tighten a slip knot?

Usually the working yarn, the end attached to the ball. Some slip knots adjust from the tail instead; both are fine.

How long should the tail be?

About 6 in (15 cm) is enough to weave in securely. Leave a longer tail if you plan to use it for sewing pieces together.

Is a slip knot the same as a slip stitch?

No. A slip knot gets the yarn onto your hook; a slip stitch is a very short stitch used to join rounds and finish edges.