How to Make a Slip Knot

Use our easy to follow step-by-step guide to make a simple slip knot, the first step in almost all crochet projects.

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Yield: slip knot

Author: Debbie Chapman

Cost: $1

Hold the end of your yarn. Twist the working yarn (the part attached to the ball) down over top of the tail (end of the yarn).
This will create a loop with an "X" at the bottom.
Hold the "X" where the yarn crosses over with your left (or non-dominant) hand. Insert your thumb and pointer finger on your right hand into the loop from behind.
Then use your fingers in the loop to grab onto the yarn tail.
Shift your left hand so that you're holding onto the end of the tail as well as the working yarn. Then use your right hand to pull the tail through the loop.
As you pull the tail up through the loop the first loop will tighten around the tail and the working yarn.
Your slip knot is complete! If done correctly, you should be able to adjust the loop size.
Pull on the tail to make the loop smaller, or up on the loop to make it bigger. You can also undo the knot by pulling on the tail and the working yarn at the same time.
You can now insert the loop onto your crochet hook.
Hold the tail and pull on the working yarn to tighten the loop on your hook.
Tighten the loop until it's secure on the hook. You're now ready to make your first chains and continue your pattern!

Looking for ways to use a slip knot? Here's a few of our favourite crochet projects: