The slip knot is the very first loop of any knitting project — everything you cast on starts from it. In this video we show you how to make it step by step, how to seat it on the needle and how to tell when it has been pulled too tight.
How to make a slip knot, step by step
- Leave a long tail. Work out how much yarn you need for the whole cast-on before you start.
- Form a loop. Make a ring by crossing the working yarn over the tail.
- Pull the yarn through. With your fingers or the needle, draw the working yarn through the ring.
- Put it on the needle. Slide the needle into the new loop.
- Adjust with the tail. Tighten just enough that the stitch doesn’t slide around, but still moves freely.
Common mistakes
- Pulling it too tight. If the knot won’t slide along the needle, the first row will be a struggle.
- Leaving a short tail. That same yarn is what you cast on with — always keep more margin than you think you need.
- Making a fixed knot instead. A slip knot must adjust when you pull one end. If it doesn’t move, make it again.
Frequently asked questions
Does the slip knot count as a stitch?
Yes. It counts as the first stitch of your cast-on, so include it when you count your stitches.
What if it keeps coming undone?
Undo it completely and start again — if the yarn ends up twisted, the loop won’t sit properly on the needle.
Does it work for crochet too?
Yes, it is the same starting loop. You can see it applied to crochet in our video on the first loop in crochet.
What we used in the video
BeMe yarn by The Woolcatcher and circular needles. Browse the full natural yarn collection.
