Crochet Slip Knot: How to Tie a Slip Knot in Crochet

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Tying a slip knot is usually the first step in almost every crochet project. So, in this tutorial, you will learn how to make a crochet slip knot.

A close-up to a woman crocheting a a slip knot next to a text area which says "How to Tie a Slip Knot in Crochet, thecrochetfox.com" next to another close-up to a woman crocheting a slip knot

In fact, there are many different ways of tying a slip knot for your crochet project. Therefore, in this lesson, I will demonstrate 2 common techniques for making a slip knot.

If you are just starting out on your crochet adventure, start with a basic yarn. You can choose yarn in a bright or light color. However, it should be comfortable to look at so do not pick a yarn that is too fuzzy as you need to see the stitches properly.

Furthermore, I also recommend that you start with a medium-sized hook and yarn. The most commonly used hook sizes are a G/6 (4.0 mm) or an H/8 (5.0 mm) hook.

As a matter of fact, irrespective of which slip knot technique you choose to use; you have to start in the same way.

Table of Contents

Getting Ready for Tying a Crochet Slip Knot

If you are new to crocheting, here is a couple of tips for getting started with your crochet slip knot:

	Start your slip knot by pulling approx. 6 to 8 inches (approx. 15 to 20 cm) of yarn from your ball of yarn.
	The working end of the yarn is the end that is attached to the ball.
	The tail end of the yarn is the beginning of your yarn ball.

Top view of an orange ball of yarn that demonstrate the working end and the tail end of a loose end

Choose the Slip Knot Crochet Technique that is Right for You

Try out each of these techniques for creating a slip knot so you can find the one that is the easiest for you.

Technique #1

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 1: Hands slipping a crochet hook under a piece of orange yarn

1.	With the tail end of the yarn in front and the working end in the back, lay the yarn over your index finger of your non-dominant hand (for most people, this is the left hand).
2.	Grasp the yarn in your non-dominant hand, between your index finger and thumb.
3.	Use your middle and ring finger to support the two strands of yarn.
4.	Using your preferred grip, hold the crochet hook in your dominant hand.
5.	Make sure that your fingers are relaxed enough to move freely but that they at the same time are gripping tight enough for you to maintain precise control over the hook.
6.	With the hook facing you, slip it between your index finger and the yarn.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 2: Hands wrapping a piece of orange yarn around a crochet hook

1.	Hold onto the strands in your non-dominant hand while lifting the crochet hook just above the non-dominant hand.
2.	Using the index finger on your dominant hand, hold on to the top of the draped yarn.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 3: Hands slipping a crochet hook under a piece of orange yarn and then twisting the crochet hook

1.	Rotate the head of the hook to the right (clockwise), under your dominant hand, and back to the starting position. In effect, you are turning your crochet hook in a circle.
2.	You should now have a loose loop on your crochet hook.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 4: Hand pinching a piece of orange yarn wrapped around a crochet hook

1.	Adjust the fingers on your non-dominant hand in order to prepare for crocheting.
2.	First, pinch the yarn tail between your middle finger and thumb.
3.	Second, insert your index finger between the working yarn and the yarn end. The working yarn should be at the back of your finger and the yarn tail at the front of your index finger.
4.	To create proper tension, the working yarn should be looped over your index finger before it is passed between your other fingers.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 5: Hand pinching a piece of orange yarn wrapped twice around a crochet hook

1.	Make a yarn over (yo) also called “yarn over hook” (yoh). There are 2 different ways of doing this:
	a.	Use your non-dominant hand and wrap the yarn over the hook from behind and then over the top.
	b.	Use your dominant hand to manipulate your hook to wrap the yarn in the same way.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 6: Hand pulling down the loose ends of a slip knot tied around a crochet hook

1.	Using the head of your hook, draw the working yarn through the twisted loop on the hook.
2.	Once the yarnover has passed through the loop, you will have a loose slip knot on the hook.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Step 7: Hand pulling down the loose ends of a slip knot tied around a crochet hook

1.	To adjust the slip knot, pull gently on both strands of yarn.
2.	Do not tighten the knot too much – your crochet hook should be able to move easily inside the loop.

Technique #2

1.	Start by making a loop with the yarn.
2.	The tail end should be behind your loop.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Technique 2 Step 2: A crochet hook slipped under a loop created using orange yarn

3.	With the hook of your crochet hook facing down, insert it through the center of the loop.
4.	Hook the tail end.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Technique 2 Step 3: Orange yarn slip knot loosely wrapped around a crochet hook

5.	Pull the tail end through the loop and up onto the throat area of the hook.

Tying a Crochet Slip Knot Technique 2 Step 4: Orange yarn slip knot tightly wrapped around a crochet hook

6.	To tighten the loop, pull on the tail end.
7.	The loop on the hook should be firm but at the same time loose enough to easily slide back and forth.
8.	Ensure that your tail end is still 6 to 8 inches (approx. 15 to 20 cm) long.

Final Tip Before You Start Crocheting

Remember that the beginning slip knot does not count as a stitch. So, when counting the stitches of your foundation chain, do not count the slip knot!

So, now that you have successfully completed the slip knot, you can take the next step and star-making some chain stitches: How to make chain stitches.

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