Learn How to do Left-Handed Crochet Slip Stitch

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The slip stitch crochet is a basic crochet stitch crocheters should add to their repertoire. As a matter of fact, out of all the crochet stitches, the slip stitch is the shortest. Additionally, the slip stitch is often abbreviated as sl st in crochet patterns. This tutorial will show you how to do the left handed crochet slip stitch.

What Is the Slip Stitch Crochet?

Slip stitch being made text area which says "Slip Stitch Crochet: How to Crochet and Use the Slip Stitch , thecorchetfox.com" followed by joining crocheted pieces together using slip stitch

More than a crochet stitch, the slip stitch crochet is more of a crochet technique. In fact, it is almost invisible and is a versatile technique that has many uses.

For instance, you can use the slip stitch crochet for moving yarn across a group of stitches without adding any height.

In addition, you can use slip stitches to join a new ball of yarn, embellish fabrics, make a seam, and other purposes.

In particular, this tutorial will show you how to use the slip stitch for:

making yarn across stitches,
joining a chain into a circle,
joining the end of a round with the beginning of the same round,
joining motifs together, and
joining pieces together.

Another good thing about the slip stitch is that you always work it the same way no matter how you use it.

Moreover, the term slip stitch in both UK and US crochet terms mean the same thing. In fact, it is one of the few terms that have the same meaning in both US and UK patterns.

Not sure about the differences between US crochet terms and UK crochet terms?

Check out this insightful article that will explain both the similarities and the differences between the two. You can look it up right here: Crochet Terms: The Differences Between US vs UK Crochet Terms Explained.

Note that in all our tutorials, we use US crochet terms.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Make the Left Handed Slip Stitch Crochet

To start a slip stitch, you will need an active loop on your crochet hook. To give you a demonstration, I will show you how to make a row of slip stitches on a foundation chain.

So before you begin with the slip stitches, you will have to make a slip knot and a foundation chain. If you need some excellent step-by-step tutorials to help you make these, you can get them right here:

Left-Handed Slip Stich in Crochet Step 1: 11 crochet chain stitches on a hook.

1.	First, make a slip knot.
2.	For demonstration purposes, chain 11.

Left-Handed Slip Stich in Crochet Step 2: Hook inserted on the second chain with a yarnover.

1.	Insert the hook in the second chain from the hook, ensuring that your hook is under the back bar of the chain.
2.	Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.
3.	Draw the yarnover through the chain stitch as well as the stitch on the crochet hook.
4.	You now have one slip stitch.

Left-Handed Slip Stitch in Crochet Step 3: Working a slip stitch for each chain on a crochet hook.

1.	Continue to work a slip stitch in each remaining chain.
2.	Once you are done with it, you will have 10 slipped stitches on your foundation chain.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Use the Slip Stitch Crochet

In the following sections, I will show you how you can use the slip stitch crochet for various purposes.

Using Slip Stitches to Move Yarn Across Stitches

There can be many reasons why you would want to move your yarn across stitches in your fabric without adding any height. One example is if you are making an armhole in a sweater.

There are many factors why moving your yarn across stitches in your fabric without adding any height becomes necessary. For instance, when you are making an armhole in a sweater.

In the following example, I will demonstrate adding slipped stitches to the beginning of a row using the US double crochet stitch.

If you want a useful, step-by-step tutorial on how to work the US double crochet, you can check one out right here: Double Crochet: Learn How to Double Crochet.

Move Yarn Across Stitches Using Slip Stitch Crochet Step 1: A row of double crochet with one turning chain on the hook.

1.	First, make one row of double crochet. Then turn your work so you are ready to start row 2.
2.	Make sure you do not chain the usual three chains for the turning chain. Instead, chain only one.
3.	Also, do not count the turning chain as a stitch.

Move Yarn Across Stitches Using Slip Stitch Crochet Step 2: Crochet hook inserted under both loops of the first stitch on Row 2

1.	Insert the crochet hook under both loops of the first stitch on Row 2.
2.	Yarn over. Draw the yarn through both the loops of the foundation chain and the loop on the hook.
3.	You now have one slip stitch.

Move Yarn Across Stitches Using Slip Stitch Crochet Step 3: Yarn moved across with slipped stitches and hardly any height has been added.

1.	Make a slip stitch into the next three stitches from the previous row.
2.	Then, chain three to finish the row in double crochet. This will bring the yarn to the correct height.
3.	Next, work a double crochet into each of the remaining stitches.
4.	If you will notice, this moves the yarn across with slipped stitches, and hardly adds any height.

Using A Slip Stitch to Form a Ring

Another crochet technique that will come highly useful is joining a chain into a ring. As a matter of fact, many projects begin with a ring in the center. Among these are hats, hexagon patterns, motif, granny squares, and many others.

Form a Crochet Ring Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 1: 6 crochet chains on a hook.

1.	First, make a slip knot.
2.	For demonstration purposes, chain 6.
3.	Then, insert the crochet hook into the first chain you made, the one next to the slip knot.
4.	Take care to insert the hook through the V at the center of the stitch. Moreover, make sure that the hook is under the back bar of the chain.

Form a Crochet Ring Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 2: The working yarn being brought over the hook.

1.	Pull the working yarn over the hook, back to front.
2.	Draw the yarnover through both the chain and the loop on the crochet hook.
3.	You have just made the 6 chains into a ring or circle.

Using A Slip Stitch to Join a Round

If you are crocheting in the round, you will find the slip stitch quite handy. For instance, after completing a round, you may end up with a large space at the beginning and end of the round.

And the easiest way to close the gap between the first and the last stitch in the round is by using a slip stitch. As a matter of fact, this is a common technique you can use to make motifs.

In this tutorial, we will use the crochet ring from the previous section and try out Using A Slip Stitch to Form a Ring tutorial.

Additionally, we will also be needing the US double crochet. For an excellent step-by-step guide to making this technique, check out our tutorial right here: Double Crochet: Learn How to Double Crochet.

Join a Round in Crochet Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 1: 11 US double crochet worked into the center of a ring.

1.	First, crochet 6 chains. Next, join into a circle using a slip stitch (check out the tutorial above).
2.	Chain 3 so you can bring the yarn up to the correct working height.
3.	Then work 11 US double crochet stitches into the center of the ring.

Join a Round in Crochet Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 2: 11 US double crochet worked into the center of a ring with an arrow indicating where to insert the crochet hook.

1.	Insert the crochet hook into the third chain of the starting chain.
2.	Bring the working yarn over the crochet from back to front.
3.	Then draw the yarnover through the chain as well as the loop on the crochet hook.
4.	You have just joined the round of the double crochet using a slip stitch.

Using a Slip Stitch to Join Motifs Together

Using a slip stitch is a quick and easy way to join two motifs together as you go. In fact, this technique will bring the pieces very closely together.

Moreover, the slip stitch will sit on top of the stitch where you work it into, dominating that stitch.

Join Motifs Together Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 1: Two crocheted motifs laid from corner to corner.

1.	First, work to where you would like to join the current motif with the previous motif.

Join Motifs Together Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 2: Two crocheted motifs laid from with the crochet hook inserted into the stitch while doing a yarnover.

1.	Make sure that the previous motif has the right side up. That means when you join the pieces, the old motif’s right side is facing the new motif’s wrong side.
2.	Next, insert the crochet hook into the stitch or space in the previous motif at the point you want them to meet.
3.	Yarn over, drawing the working yarn through everything on the crochet hook.

Join Motifs Together Using Slip Stitch Left-Handed Step 3 Two crocheted motifs laid from with the crochet hook inserted into the stitch while doing a yarnover.

1.	You now have a slip stitch.
2.	Continue to work the next stitch on your current motif.

Using Slip Stitches to Joint Pieces Together

When you need to join two crochet pieces together, the slip stitch technique is ideal for it. For instance, when you want to join two pieces of an afghan.

You typically make this method on the wrong side of the fabric since a slip stitch join is asymmetrical. As such, you probably do not want it to be noticeable on the right side.

You should also note that this type of slip stitch seams can be tight and unforgiving. Hence, ensure that as you work, stop and examine your output, and check if you are maintaining even tension.

If the seam appears too tight, you might want to use a larger crochet hook.

Two crochet pieces being joined together using slip stitch.

1.	First, hold the two pieces together, with the right sides facing each other.
2.	Next, insert the crochet hook through both the edge stitches.
3.	Make a yarnover. Draw the working yarn through everything on the crochet hook.
4.	Then, insert the crochet hook into the pair of stitches.
5.	Again, make a yarnover, drawing it through everything on the crochet hook.
6.	Continue working on this until you finish joining the two pieces.