How to Crochet: Slip Knot
By Rachel Choi – 28 CommentsThis tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.
Every crochet project you start starts with a slip knot. So here is a fast and easy way to make a slip knot using your crochet hook. This method is a lot faster than making the slip knot with just your hands.
Wrap the yarn around your hook as show in the picture.
Yarn over (wrap the yarn over your hook) while holding the bottom loop steady.
Pull the strand of yarn through the loop.
Tighten your slip knot.
Woohoo! You just saved yourself time. No more making knots with your hands. Just wrap it around your hook and get crocheting!
Was this helpful? Do you still need more help? Leave a comment to let me know!
I’m a lefty…thank you, thank you, thank you for the fliping images!!!!!
You’re welcome Tarkan! I’ve heard about all the lefties out there in dire need of reversed images 🙂
Thank you! This is so much easier (especially for a really new crocheter like me)
I’m glad you found it easier to follow, Breighton!
[…] 1: Always start by making a slip knot and place the knot on your […]
I want to do circle I am confused. What dose it mean ch 2. 6sc ins econd ch from hook. Place maker.I am like breighton just new to this.
Do u have knitting instrustions as well?
you can email me back at
[email protected]
thank you.
Hi Pattie!
Here is a tutorial about reading crochet patterns! Example 2 at the bottom is just like the line you are asking about.
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-read-crochet-patterns/
I don’t have any knitting instructions. But let me know if you need more help with your circle!
Thank you so much!! I just watched about 10 videos and couldn’t grasp any of them. Got it on the first try, thanks!
THANK YOU! I have four books and watched a dozen videos AND looked at about a million websites, yours is the only one that made sense!
[…] 1: Start with a slip knot on your hook and chain 2. Step 2: Insert your hook into the second chain from your hook (which […]
[…] 1: Start with a slip knot on your […]
[…] it’s time to crochet! Starting with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook at the shoulder seam directly underneath the 1/4″ fold. Your […]
Hi Rachel
Could you help me to explain what this is “dc in dc holding last lp on hook, dc in next 3 dc holding last lp of each on hook (5 lps on hook), yo and draw through all lps on hook (Cluster st made” is this a description of a Cluster st? In that case what is a Cluster st? I have problem to translate it to Swedish and I have not found any picture of it. Thanks for a great website!
Hi Beatrice, that explanation is confusing for me as well. I think it is trying to tell you to make a cluster. A cluster is a group of stitches that are joined at the top. Here is how you do it: (yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through 2 loops on hook) 4 times. There should now be 5 loops on your hook. Then yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on your hook. Here is a similar picture tutorials of How to Crochet: Double Crochet Decrease, the only difference is that you repeat the instructions within the ( ) more times for a cluster.
IM NEW AT THIS , BUT I WANTTO CROCHET A HAT ANY KIND CAN YOU HELP. I DONT KNOW WHEN ADD OR DECR.
BEV.
Hi Beverly, you can try one of my many hat/beanie patterns. Here are links to a few:
How to Crochet a Hat
How to Crochet a Beanie
Crochet Pattern: Family Beanie Set – 6 Sizes
You can also use the search box at the top of the page to find more of my hat patterns.
[…] with all crochet work, start by making a slip knot. And having your crochet project to embellish on […]
hi, I just bought the “I taught myself to crochet” book at hobby lobby today and I am so confused, tried the slips knot but what do I do after the knot, do I pull the thread through the knot and keep going? I’m just starting today so any advice is welcome.
Hi Crystal, the knot is used to make the first loop on your hook. So once you make the slip knot, you’re going to but the loop you made onto your hook like in the last picture on this tutorial. From there you’re ready to start crochet! You’ll probably want to learn the chain stitch after you make your slip knot. Here’s a link to that tutorial: How to Crochet: Chain (ch)
Thank you sooo much Rachel for everything you did i’m learning how to crochet and boy did that take me a long time!
I am glad I found this blog when using google because I just started to crochet on Sunday 🙂
Thanks for the clear explanation
much better than making slip knot…thank you
If you stop at step 3 and don’t tighten that knot, you can count the “knot” as the first chain. It makes for a slightly neater corner, without a hard little bump. And you can also use that first stitch instead of a magic loop for starting in the round. I never start with a slip knot anymore, although I start the same as you. I just skip step 4. 🙂
This may be the best site ever for learning to crochet. Thanks for the great explanations and the reverse images.
Thank you for this information. I’m going to start my 5 year grandaughter, I’ve already exposed her to machine sewing, but we haven’t been consistent. I appreciate any assistance , for I will be teaching the rest of the girls in my group.
Cheryl Elizabeth Dimery LPN
[email protected]
Help! Please, I am a left handed person and find holding the hook with my right hand uncomfortable.
I have loads of yarn from my knitting projects, but would love to learn how to crochet.
Thanks, Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Gavin! Here is a link to our How to Crochet page: http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet/
A lot of our tutorials have left handed photos so you can see how to work the stitches left handed. Have fun learning and crocheting!