The slip knot is the first thing in any crochet project: without it you can’t start a chain or your first stitches. In this video we show you how to make it step by step, how to seat it on the hook and how to adjust it so it is neither loose nor tight.
How to make a slip knot, step by step
- Form a ring with the yarn. Cross the working yarn over the tail, leaving about 10 cm of tail.
- Pull the yarn through the ring. With your fingers, or directly with the hook.
- Place it on the hook. The loop should slide along the shaft without effort.
- Adjust with the tail. Just tight enough that it doesn’t slip off the hook.
- Start the chain. From this loop you can now work chain stitches.
Common mistakes
- Pulling it too tight. If the loop won’t slide on the hook, your first chain comes out misshapen.
- A short tail. Always leave 10 cm — that strand is what you weave in at the end.
- Making a fixed knot. If pulling one end doesn’t adjust the loop, it isn’t a slip knot. Do it again.
Frequently asked questions
Does the slip knot count as a stitch?
No. Unlike knitting, in crochet the starting knot counts neither as a chain nor as a stitch.
Is it the same knot as for a magic ring?
Not quite: the magic ring is formed by wrapping the yarn around your fingers, with no knot first.
Which hook should I start with?
Whatever the yarn label recommends. With chunky yarns, a 5 to 8 mm hook is more comfortable while you are learning.
What we used in the video
Crochet Crush yarn by The Woolcatcher. Browse the full natural yarn collection.
