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The first step in almost every crochet project is tying a slip knot. So in this tutorial, you will learn how to tie a left-handed crochet slip knot.

As a matter of fact, you can tie a slip knot for a crochet project in different ways. Thus, in this tutorial, you will learn the two most common techniques for making a slip knot.
If you have just started on your crochet journey, start with a basic yarn. You cannot go wrong with a bright or light-colored yarn, as long as it is comfortable to look at. Moreover, consider a yarn that is not too fuzzy so you can see your 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.
In fact, you should start in the same way, whichever slip knot technique you choose to use.
Getting Ready for Tying a Crochet Slip Knot
If you are new to crocheting, here are a few tips as you get started with your crochet slip knot:
| To start your slip knot, pull approximately 6 to 8 inches (about 15 to 20 cm) of yarn from your yarn ball. | |
| Note that the working end of the yarn is the end attached to the ball. | |
| Furthermore, the tail end of the yarn is the beginning of the yarn ball. |

Choose the Slip Knot Crochet Technique that is Right for You
To find which slip knot crochet technique that is easiest for you, check out these techniques and try them out.
Technique #1


1. | Lay the yarn over your index finger of your non-dominant hand (in this case, it is the right hand). Ensure that the tail end of the yarn is in front and the working end in the back. | |
2. | Grasp your yarn between the index finger and thumb of your non-dominant hand. | |
3. | Using your middle and ring finger, support the two strands of yarn. | |
4. | Hold the crochet hook in your dominant hand (in this case, it is the left hand) with your preferred grip. | |
5. | Your fingers should be relaxed enough to move freely while gripping tight enough to maintain precise control over your crochet hook. | |
6. | Slip the hook between your index finger and yarn. Make sure the hook is facing you. |


1. | Using your non-dominant hand, hold onto the strands while lifting the hook just above the non-dominant hand. | |
2. | Then hold onto the top of the draped yarn with the index finger of your dominant hand. |


1. | Rotate the head of your crochet hook clockwise (i.e. to the right), then under your dominant hand, and finally back to the starting position. You have now turned your hook in a full circle. | |
2. | As a result, you should now have a loose loop on your hook. |


1. | Prepare for crocheting. To do this, adjust the fingers on your non-dominant hand. | |
2. | Pinch the yarn tail with your middle finger and thumb. | |
3. | Insert your index finger between the working yarn and the yarn in the end. Make sure that the working yarn is at the back of your finger. Moreover, the yarn tail must be at the front of your index finger. | |
4. | Create proper tension. To do this, ensure that the working yarn is looped over your index finger before passing it between your other fingers. |


1. | Make a yarn over (yo), also referred to as “yarn over hook” (yoh). You can do this in two ways: | |
a) Wrap the yarn over your hook from behind then over the top using your non-dominant hand. | ||
b) Manipulate the hook to wrap the yarn, in the same way, using your dominant hand. |


1. | With the head of the crochet hook, pull the working yarn through the twisted loop on the hook. | |
2. | Once the yarnover is passed through the loop, you should end up with a loose slip knot on the hook. |


1. | Adjust the slip knot by pulling gently on both strands of the yarn. | |
2. | Make sure the knot is just tight enough for your crochet hook to move easily inside the loop. |
Technique #2


1. | Make a loop with the yarn. | |
2. | Ensure that the tail end is behind the loop. |


3. | Insert the hook through the center of the loop. The hook should be facing down. | |
4. | Hook the tail end. |


5. | Draw the tail end through the loop and up, onto the throat area of the hook. |


6. | Pull on the tail end to tighten the loop. | |
7. | Make sure that the loop on the hook is firm but loose enough so the hook can slide back and forth easily. | |
8. | Also, ensure that the tail end is still 6 to 8 inches (about 15 to 20 cm) long. |
Final Tip Before You Start Crocheting
The slip knot never counts as a stitch. That means that when you count the stitches of your foundation chain, he slip knot does not count.
After having successfully made a slip knot, you’re now ready to take the step and explore some chain stitches next! You can check it out here: How to make left-handed chain stitches.