How To Make Slip Knot In Crochet – 3 Simple Methods

One of the first steps in learning how to crochet is to learn how to tie a slip knot. Since it’s a common way to start crocheting, it’s usually the first skill all crochet beginners learn.

Once you have the hang of this technique, you can learn additional basic crochet stitches and start some crochet projects. Read on to find out how to make a slip knot in three easy ways.

What Is A Slip Knot?

A slip knot is a type of knot that is used to attach yarn to a crochet hook before you begin crocheting. It is normally the first instruction a crochet pattern tells you to do, abbreviated as “sl knot” in both US and UK terminologies.

Even if it doesn’t say so in the crochet pattern, the designer assumed that you would make a slip knot before crocheting the first stitch, which is often followed by a series of chain stitches.

Slip knots are easy to untie: just pull the slipping yarn to unravel the loop and release the knot.

Does A Slip Knot Count As A Stitch?

No, a slip knot does not count as a stitch in crochet. Since the slip knot is not a stitch, don’t work into it when you crochet on your stitches.

Crochet Supplies To Make A Slip Knot

• Yarn
• Crochet hook 

As a novice learning how to make a slip knot, it’s usually best to practice with medium-weight yarn and a 4-6 mm crochet hook.

If you are following a crochet pattern, the instructions will include information regarding the yarn weight and hook size needed to complete the product.

What Are Tail End And Ball End?

To make it easier to follow the instructions, you need to know what are the “tail end” and the “ball end” of a strand of yarn.

Tail End

• When you pull the yarn out of the ball, the free end is your yarn’s tail.

Working Yarn / Ball End

• The part of the yarn that is attached to the ball is called the “ball end,” but you could also hear it called “working yarn.”

3 Easy Ways To Make A Slip Knot

If you’re new to crochet, it’s really easy to learn how to tie a slip knot if you follow our instructions. Don’t let other people’s ideas throw you off; just follow ours!

We’ll show you the three easiest and most convenient ways to tie a slip knot. They all get the same result, but they do it in various ways.

Regardless of which method you select, the more you practice, the better you will get at making a crochet slip knot.

Note:

• You should leave a 4 to 6 inch tail when you begin so that it is easier to weave once the project is complete.
• our instructions are designed with the dominant right hand in mind.

Method 1

This is the simple way to make a slip knot, using your hand and a crochet hook. The benefit of this method is that you add the crochet hook right away as you’re tying the knot.

1. Place the yarn on the palm of your left hand with the loose end pointing down. Wrap the working yarn around your index and middle fingers.

2. Insert the crochet hook through the loop from right to left.

3. Use the crochet hook to thread the working yarn through the loop.

4. Loosen the knot from your left hand. Pinch and pull the tail end of the yarn to make the knot tighter.

5. Tug on the working yarn to tighten the loop around the hook.

Method 2

Similar to method 1, this is another easiest version by using your hand and a crochet hook.

1. Pinch the yarn approximately 4 to 6 inches from the end of the tail and hang it with the tail on the right. Hold both strands between your thumb and index finger on your left hand to make a 1″ tall “n” loop above your fingers.

2. Insert the crochet hook through the loop and turn the hook in a clockwise rotation.

3. Hook rotation produces a crossed strand beneath the loop.

4. Now, move the fingers carefully to pinch the crossed strands generated by the rotation.

5. Place the working yarn on the hook. This is also known as yarn-over in crochet terminology.

6. Pull the hook to draw the working yarn through the loop.

7. Pull the tail end and then the working yarn to tighten the knot and the loop.

Method 3

This may not look like one of the easiest ways, but it is. This is the technique I was taught when I first began crocheting at the age of 8, which was more than 40 years ago. You only need your hands to make a loose slip knot. The hook is put in right before you start crocheting.

1. Hold the free end of the yarn and place it on the palm of your left hand, leaving about 6 inches of yarn hanging off your index finger. Wrapping the yarn around the index finger. Use your thumb and middle finger to pinch the yarn’s tail end to hold it securely.

2. Bring the yarn tail across and toward your index finger to make another loop on the thumb.

3. Insert your right hand’s fingers through the gap between your left hand and the loop, and pinch to grab the yarn tail.

4. Pull the yarn tail to bring it across.

5. Pinch the yarn tail with your thumb and middle finger as well. Turn the loop on your left thumb over to the tail end of the yarn.

6. Feed the yarn tail through the loop.

7. Pull the yarn end with your right hand to tighten the knot, and this is your loose slip knot.

8. Insert the crochet hook and pull the working yarn to tighten the loop around the hook.