How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet: 2 Easy Methods

Do you want to learn how to tie a slip knot for crochet? Luckily, it’s not as difficult as you may think!

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to make a slip knot for crochet. Keep reading to learn 2 easy methods for making a crochet slip knot that you’ll use to attach yarn to your crochet hook, and start most crochet patterns.

Let’s get started!

What Is A Slip Knot?

When you first start learning how to crochet, you’ll find that most crochet patterns start with a slip knot. But what is a slip knot, and how do you tie one?

A slip knot is a type of knot that you’ll use to attach the yarn to the crochet hook.

Making a slip knot is the first step in many crochet projects. It is made by tying a simple loop at the end of the yarn, then placing the loop on the crochet hook and pulling it tight.

Does The Slip Knot Count As A Stitch?

No, the slip knot does not count as a stitch. When you’re counting your chains at the end of your starting chain, don’t count the slip knot as a chain stitch.

Also, when you’re working into your starting chain, be careful not to work into the slip knot.

How to Make a Slip Knot for Crochet

Now that we know what a slip knot is, let’s learn how to make one! Making a crochet slip knot can be tricky at first, but it’s really quite easy once you get the hang of it.

What Do You Need To Make A Slip Knot

All you need to make a slip knot is some yarn. Some methods of tying a slip knot use a crochet hook, and my favorite method of tying a slip knot uses just your fingers.

Yarn Ends

Before we make a slip knot, let me explain the two ends of the yarn. (This will help you follow the slip knot instructions a bit better.)

Pull a length of yarn from the yarn ball, and lay it on a table. The end of the yarn that leads to the ball of yarn is called the “ball end”, and the free end of the yarn is called the “tail end”.

How To Tie A Slip Knot

There are various ways to make a slip knot, and everyone has their favorite method.

First, I’ll show you how to make a slip knot by laying the yarn flat on a table. Then, I’ll show a faster way to make a slip knot with just your fingers.

Here’s the first way:

1. Pull a length of yarn from the yarn ball. We’ll try to make our slip knot approximately 6 inches away from the tail end of the yarn. This will give us a long enough yarn tail to weave in later.  
2. Make a loop, crossing the ball yarn over and on top of the tail end.
3. Insert the crochet hook into the center of the loop, from front to back. Use the crochet hook to grab the ball-end yarn, and pull it through the center of the loop.  

Pull both ends of the yarn to tighten the loop around the hook. The loop on the crochet hook should be tight, but still loose enough to slide up and down the hook. Make sure that you still have a 6-inch yarn tail that you can weave in later.

The slip knot is complete, and you are ready to start crocheting. To start making chain stitches, pinch the base of the slip knot between the thumb and middle finger of your left hand. Then, start your chain.

A Faster Way to Tie a Slip Knot

Here’s another way to make a slip knot. In this method, we’ll hold the yarn up in the air, and make the slip knot with just our fingers.

Pull a length of yarn from the yarn ball. Hold the ball end of yarn in your left hand and the tail end of the yarn in your right hand. Make sure to leave at least a 6-inch yarn tail so that you have enough to weave in later.

1. Make a loop, crossing the tail end of the yarn in front of the ball end.

2. With your left hand, pinch the yarn where it overlaps. With your right hand, move the tail end of the yarn behind the open loop.

3. Insert your right-hand fingers through the loop, pinch the tail end of the yarn, and pull it through the loop.

4. With your left hand, pull on the ball end of the yarn to tighten. Slip the knot onto the crochet needle, and pull on the tail end of the yarn to tighten it further.

5. The slip knot is complete, and you are ready to start crocheting. Just as before, pinch the base of the slip knot between the thumb and middle finger of your left hand to start making chain stitches.

Next Steps in Learning to Crochet

After you make a slip knot, you’ll be ready to learn how to crochet the chain stitches. Click here for my How to Crochet guide, which will walk you through the basic steps.

And after that, you may be interested in the following beginner crochet stitch tutorials:

• How to Single Crochet
• How to Double Crochet
• How to Half Double Crochet

Beginner Crochet Patterns

Now that you know how to make a slip knot, you may be ready to pick your first crochet pattern. If so, here are some easy beginner-friendly crochet patterns for you.

• How to Crochet a Scarf
• How to Crochet a Hat
• How to Crochet a Classic Granny Square

What’s Next?

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