A crochet slip stitch is one of the most flexible stitches that can be used in many different ways. Unlike other basic stitches that are worked to create whole crochet items, slip stitches are a type of utility stitch. This means that they can be used to make a border, join crochet pieces, close rounds, and more.
It’s an essential technique to learn for all beginners, as this stitch is something you will see in many if not all, crochet patterns. Without it, there is a possibility that you may not be able to finish a project! Yes, it’s that important.
Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the art of crochet or need a refresher, this how-to-crochet slip stitch guide will help you master the technique and put it to work in your projects.
Before starting the slip stitch tutorial, you might find the below tutorials helpful:
- How to Make a Slip Knot in Crochet
- How to Hold Crochet Yarn & Crochet Hook for Beginners
- How to Crochet Chain Stitch
What You Will Learn from this Crochet Slip Stitch Tutorial?
- Abbreviation and Chart Symbol of Crochet Slip Stitch
- Step by Step Tutorial on How to Slip Stitch
- Make a Foundation Ring with Slip Stitch
- Join the Magic Ring with Slip Stitch
- Create an Edge with Slip Stitches
- How to Surface Crochet with Slip Stitches
What is a Slip Stitch?
A slip stitch in crochet is the shortest stitch among the six basic crochet stitches. It’s often used as a functional stitch alongside other stitches. Hence, it’s not common to see a project made entirely out of slip stitches. Instead, you can use slip stitches to perform the following:
- Move across a row
- Join rounds
- Shape edges
- Add volume
- Fasten off
- Connect two crochet pieces
- Decorate the surface of a crochet fabric
- Paired with other basic crochet stitches to create unique textures or patterns.
Abbreviation & Chart Symbol
A slip stitch is abbreviated as “sl st” or “ss” in US and UK terminologies, respectively.
In a chart pattern, a slip stitch is represented by a solid circle or oval shape.
[Note: All of our patterns and terms are based on the US letter and number system. This guide is shown using the right hand.]
Anatomy of Slip Stitch
As you can see, slip stitches are rather flat and do not add significant height to your project. It just sits above the previous row of stitches.
The first image above displays the front of an sl st. It has a front loop and back loop that you can work your stitches into. If you’ve read the How to Chain Stitch tutorial, you will notice that the anatomy of a slip stitch is very similar to a chain stitch.
Making crochet stitches into those loops is one of the easiest ways to add visual effects to your project.
- When creating a ribbing for the brim of a hat, working slip stitches in the “back loop only” will create a knit-like texture.
- Crocheting in the “front loop only” produces a stretchier fabric but is flatter, creating a less-pronounced ridge.
The second image above shows the back part of an sl st. The back bump, sometimes known as the third loop, is useful in creating a tidy edge or joining two crochet pieces.
To make an sl st, simply insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over, then draw the yarn through the stitch and the existing loop on the hook. Let’s take a look at the detailed instructions on how to do slip stitch crochet below.
Step-By-Step Tutorial With Pictures
Learning how to make a slip stitch in crochet is easy. You can practice on an existing crochet piece or quickly prepare a foundation row or round before starting this tutorial.
- Hold the crochet piece in your less dominant hand and the hook in your dominant hand. With an active loop on your hook, insert the hook under both of the loops (the V-shaped stitch) from the previous row;
2. Yarn over by bringing the working yarn from the back to the front. Turn your crochet hook downwards to draw the yarn through the stitch and pull up a loop. You will now have two loops on the hook;
3. Draw the new loop you’ve just made through the existing loop on the hook. There is no need to yarn over again, you can pull through directly.
4. That’s it! You’ve just learned how to do a slip stitch in crochet.
Steps two and three are typically done in one motion. That said, after inserting your hook into a stitch and pulling up a loop, you can pull the new loop directly through the existing loop on the crochet hook. With enough practice, you will be able to perform this technique smoothly.
Now that you know how to make a crochet sl st, you can:
- Create a foundation ring
- Join a circle
- Make an edging
- Perform surface crochet
Slip Stitch for Circular Projects
A foundation ring and magic ring are used to create projects that are worked in the round. While they are both a starting point for circular crochet projects, there are situations where one is favored over the other. Read on to learn how to use a crochet slip stitch to join rounds and when to use each technique for different patterns.
Crochet Slip Stitch to Make A Foundation Ring
A foundation ring is often seen in projects such as granny squares, socks, gloves, sleeve cuffs, and more.
Upon completing a row of chain stitches, simply insert your crochet hook back into the first chain stitch and perform an sl st to close the circle.
For example, in a classic granny square pattern, you will begin with a foundation row of three chain stitches, then make an sl st back into the first stitch to form a circle.
A foundation ring may leave a small hole in the center of a project, hence, this is when the magic ring comes into play.
Crochet Slip Stitch to Join a Magic Ring
The magic ring is great for Amigurumi projects because you can minimize the appearance of the hole in the center. The image below shows you how to close a magic ring with an sl st.
Simply insert your crochet hook into the first stitch of the round and make a slip stitch. You can test out this technique in the solid granny square pattern.
Slip Stitch to Create an Edging
There are many unique and fancy ways to create an edge in crochet. However, slip-stitch edging is the easiest and most straightforward way to create a border.
Simply add a row of slip stitches to the top, bottom, and sides of your work; on top of the last row of stitches. This will ensure a smooth, clean, and tidy-looking finish. As mentioned earlier, this will not increase the height of your work.
Just remember to control your tension, as you may curl your work if you crochet too tightly.
Surface Crochet with Slip Stitch
Surface crochet is sometimes referred to as surface stitches. This crochet technique is used to add a decorative element to any project. As its name suggests, you will essentially crochet on the surface of your crochet piece. By doing so, you can make symbols, letters, or just fun lines/stripes.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Surface Slip Stitch
- Insert hook from the front to the back of your fabric;
- Yarn over and pull up a loop;
- Draw the new loop through the existing loop on the hook;
- Repeat the same steps to complete a row of surface slip stitches.
You can use a different yarn color to better enhance the texture and design of a surface slip stitch.
What’s next after this slip stitch crochet tutorial?
- Practice this technique with Flat slip stitch granny join.
- View our gallery of free crochet patterns.
- Read the comprehensive guide on how to crochet for beginners.
- You may also wish to check out the below free crochet tutorials to jumpstart your crochet journey:
Happy Slip-Stitching!
How to Crochet Slip Stitch
Learn how to make a crochet slip stitch with this detailed tutorial! Includes techniques such as how to join rounds, create an edge, and surface crochet.
Materials
- Yarn
Tools
- Crochet Hook
Instructions
- Hold the crochet piece in your less dominant hand and the hook in your dominant hand. With an active loop on your hook, insert the hook under both of the loops (the V-shaped stitch) from the previous row;
- Yarn over by bringing the working yarn from the back to the front. Turn your crochet hook downwards to draw the yarn through the stitch and pull up a loop. You will now have two loops on the hook;
- Draw the new loop you’ve just made through the existing loop on the hook. There is no need to yarn over again, you can pull through directly.
- That’s it! You’ve just learned how to do a slip stitch in crochet.
Steps two and three are typically done in one motion. That said, after inserting your hook into a stitch and pulling up a loop, you can pull the new loop directly through the existing loop on the crochet hook.
With enough practice, you will be able to perform this technique smoothly. The same steps can be used to make an sl st into a chain space.
Notes
Get the full article at https://madefromyarn.com/crochet-slip-stitch/ with pictures.