Crochet Basics 2: how to make a Slip Knot

July 1st, 2017 | Leave a comment | by Nea

crochet basics, slip knot, tutorial

Hey there!

This is the second lesson in my tutorial series, Crochet Basics. In this lesson we’ll learn how to make a slip knot.

If you haven’t already, go ahead and read Crochet Basics 1: Yarn, Hooks, Stitch Markers and Terminology.

I am using the 100% acrylic yarn Favorite by Ice Yarns and a 5mm tapered aluminium crochet hook throughout this tutorial.

How to make a slip knot

Now if you’re all caught up, let’s start with the slip knot! The slip knot is really the start of any crochet project, even amigurumi which we’ll see a bit later. So, it’s fair to say that it’s important to know how to make one.

Slip knot technique 1

A slip knot can be created in many different ways, below I made a video of the technique I use. It’s probably not the easiest or fastest way, I simply use it because it’s the way I first learnt.

It’s important to make a distinction between the yarn tail/end and the working yarn. The yarn tail/end is simply the beginning or end of the yarn, depending on context, while the working yarn is the yarn you use to make stitches, i.e. the yarn coming from a skein.

1. Wrap the yarn tail twice around your index finger and hold it in place between your thumb and middle finger.
2. Grab the first loop, the one farthest from your finger tip, and lift it up and over the second loop but leave it on your finger.
3. Now grab the second loop, the one that’s now farthest from your finger tip, and lift it up and over the first loop and off of your finger in the same motion.
4. Pull on the yarn tail to tighten the knot.
5. Transfer the loop that’s left on your finger to your hook.
6. Pull on the working yarn to tighten the loop around the hook.

I think it’s important to not wrap the yarn around your finger using the working yarn. So that you can tighten the knot with the yarn tail and tighten the loop on your hook with the working yarn. If the slip knot doesn’t turn out the way you want you can just pull on the yarn to undo it, then try again.

Slip knot technique 2

Here’s another technique for making a slip knot:

1. Make a loop by laying the yarn tail over the working yarn.
2. Insert index finger and thumb or hook through the loop from below.
3. Grab the working yarn with your index finger and thumb or hook.
4. Pull the working yarn through the loop.
5. Pull on the yarn tail to tighten the knot.
6. Transfer the loop created by tightening the knot to the hook if it’s not already there.
7. Pull on the working yarn to tighten the loop around the hook.

These are most definitely not the only ways to create a slip knot, but it’s a start. If you feel that none of these suit your style I’m positive you can find many more tutorials out there.

Great, now we’re almost ready to start crocheting! In the next lesson we’ll talk about how to hold the hook and yarn after creating a slip knot.

Next lesson >> Crochet Basics 3: how to hold the Hook and Yarn