Almost every crochet project starts the same way, with a tiny loop called a slip knot. It’s the first thing that goes on your hook, and it holds the yarn in place so you can start chaining. It looks fiddly the first time, but after a few tries most people can tie one without looking.
This guide covers two easy ways to make a crochet slip knot, how tight it should be, and how long a tail to leave. It also covers the small mistakes that trip up most beginners. Grab some yarn and a hook and practice along.
What You’ll Need
- Medium weight (#4) yarn in a light, solid color
- A 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Small scissors or yarn snips
- A tapestry needle for weaving in the tail later
A light, smooth yarn makes it much easier to see what the loop is doing. Save dark, fuzzy, or very thin yarn for later.
What a Slip Knot Does
A slip knot is a loop that can get bigger or smaller when you pull one end of the yarn. That’s what makes it so handy. You slide the loop onto your hook, pull the tail to snug it down, and now the yarn is attached to the hook.
The slip knot doesn’t count as a stitch. When a pattern says “chain 20,” you make the slip knot first and then make 20 chains. The knot itself is not one of them.
Your slip knot has two yarn ends:
- The tail: the short, loose end. You’ll weave it in when the project is done.
- The working yarn: the end that runs to the ball. You’ll crochet with this end.
Remember which one is which. When you tighten the knot, you’ll pull the tail.
Method 1: The Loop-and-Pull Slip Knot
This is the method most beginners learn first. It works on a table or in your hand.
Step 1: Measure out a tail about 6 inches long. Hold the yarn so the tail hangs down and the working yarn runs off to the ball.
Step 2: Make a loop by crossing the working yarn over the tail. You should see a circle with the yarn crossed at the bottom, a bit like a pretzel shape that’s only half finished.
Step 3: Hold the crossed spot between your thumb and middle finger so the loop doesn’t fall apart.
Step 4: Reach through the loop with your fingers or your hook and grab the working yarn just behind it.
Step 5: Pull that bit of working yarn up through the circle to make a new loop. Don’t pull the end all the way through. You want a loop, not a knot.
Step 6: Put that new loop on your hook.
Step 7: Gently pull the tail to snug the loop around the hook. Then pull the working yarn a little to check that it slides. If the loop gets bigger or smaller, you did it right.
Method 2: The Finger-Wrap Slip Knot
Some people find this one faster once they get the hang of it, because you never set the yarn down.
Step 1: Hold the tail against your palm with your thumb. Wrap the working yarn around your index and middle fingers twice, going away from you.
Step 2: You now have two strands across the backs of your fingers. Take the strand closer to your fingertips and lift it over the other strand and off your fingers. It should cross over and hang behind.
Step 3: You’ll have one strand left on your fingers. Slide your hook under it, or pinch it, and pull it up into a loop.
Step 4: Slip your fingers out and put the loop on your hook.
Step 5: Pull the tail to tighten. Test it by tugging the working yarn to make sure the loop still slides.
Try both methods. Use whichever one feels natural. Nobody will ever know which one you used.
How Tight Should It Be?
The loop should sit snug on the hook, like a ring that fits. It shouldn’t strangle the hook. You should be able to slide the loop up and down the hook’s shaft easily, but it shouldn’t flop around or slip off when you tip the hook down.
If you can’t fit your hook through the loop to make the first chain, it’s too tight. Pull the working yarn to open it back up a little.
How Long Should the Tail Be?
| Project | Tail length |
|---|---|
| Practice swatch | 4–6 inches |
| Dishcloth, scarf, blanket | 6 inches |
| Amigurumi or anything you’ll sew together | 12–18 inches |
| Pattern says “leave a long tail” | Follow the pattern |
A 6-inch tail is long enough to thread on a needle and weave in, but not so long that it gets in the way. Some patterns ask you to leave a long tail on purpose so you can use it to sew pieces together later.
Now Try Your First Chain
Once the slip knot is on your hook, you’re ready for the chain stitch. Wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front, then pull it through the loop on your hook. That’s one chain. Keep going and you’ll see a little braid start to grow.
If you’d like to watch someone do it, Lion Brand Yarn has a short free video series for brand-new crocheters, Get Started Crocheting with These 3 Videos. It covers the slip knot, the chain, and single crochet. New Stitch A Day also has a beginner page, How to Make a Slip Knot for Beginners.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- The loop won’t slide. You probably pulled the yarn end all the way through and made a regular knot. Untie it and try again, and this time pull up only a loop.
- It tightens the wrong way. If pulling the working yarn closes the loop instead of the tail, the knot is “backward.” It still holds, but it can shrink while you chain. Remake it so the tail does the tightening.
- The knot is too tight to work into. This is very common when you’re nervous. Loosen it a bit by tugging the working yarn. A slightly loose loop is better than one you can’t work with.
- The tail is too short. If you can’t thread it on a needle at the end, it’ll be hard to hide. Leave at least 4 inches, even on a practice piece.
- You counted the slip knot as a chain. Don’t count it. Start counting with the first chain you make after the knot.
- The knot keeps falling apart. Pinch the crossed spot firmly while you pull up the loop. Many beginners let go of the cross too early.
Tips
- Practice the slip knot 10 times in a row before you move on. Repetition is what makes it automatic.
- Use a light, smooth yarn while you learn so you can see each strand clearly.
- If you’re left-handed, the steps are the same. Just hold the hook in your left hand and do everything mirror-image.
- Some crocheters skip the slip knot and use an adjustable “magic ring” instead, but that’s for working in the round. For rows and chains, start with a slip knot.
- Don’t worry if your knot looks a little different from a photo. If it slides, holds, and fits your hook, it works.
- Keep the knot on the narrow part of the hook (the shaft), not the throat, so your stitches come out the right size.
FAQ
Do you have to start with a slip knot in crochet?
For most projects worked in rows, yes. The slip knot attaches the yarn to your hook so you can start chaining. Projects worked in the round, like hats and amigurumi, often start with a magic ring instead. Your pattern will tell you which start to use.
Does the slip knot count as a stitch?
No. The slip knot just holds the yarn on the hook. When a pattern says “chain 15,” make your slip knot and then make 15 chains after it. Count only the chains, not the loop on your hook or the knot at the bottom.
Why does my slip knot come undone?
Usually the loop was never pulled snug, or the knot was tied backward. Tighten it by pulling the tail until the loop hugs the hook. If it still slips, start over and make sure you pull the working yarn up through the circle as a loop, not the tail.
A good slip knot takes less than ten seconds once you’ve practiced, and it’s the first small win on your way to a finished project.