Learn how to crochet a slip stitch to join rounds, and rows, move yarn across your work without cutting and joining, and seam pieces together.
Table of contents
What Is A Crochet Slip Stitch
A crochet slip stitch is one of several basic crochet stitches used in almost every crochet pattern you will come across.
It is easy to learn and is the shortest of all the stitches.
Some of the most common uses of a slip stitch include:
- Joining a new color of yarn: When you need to switch to a new yarn color, you can use a slip stitch to secure the new yarn in place and start working with it.
- It helps to create a smooth edge: Slip stitches can be used to create a neat, finished edge on a crochet piece. You can work slip stitches evenly along the edge of your piece to create a border or join two pieces of crochet together.
- Working in the round: Slip stitches are often used to join rounds of crochet when working in the round. This creates a seamless, continuous piece of crochet without any noticeable seams or joins.
- Adding texture: Slip stitches can be used to add texture to a crochet piece. When worked in a specific pattern or sequence, slip stitches can create a ribbed or ridged effect that adds depth and interest to your crochet work.
Abbreviation
In US crochet patterns the slip stitch is abbreviated to "sl st" and in the UK it can be abbreviated to "ss" or "sl st".
In crochet charts, it is written as a dot "."
How To Make A Crochet Slip Stitch
To make a slip stitch, begin by inserting your hook into the next stitch or chain space, yarn over, and then pull the loop through both the stitch or chain space and the loop on your hook. And that is it!
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1 - Begin by inserting your hook into the next stitch or chain space.
Step 2 - Yarn over your hook, which means wrapping the yarn around the hook from back to front.
Step 3 - Pull the loop of yarn through both the stitch or chain space and the loop on your hook. This will create a slip stitch.
Step 4 - Repeat steps 1-3 for each slip stitch you want to make.
Step 5 - To finish your work, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the loop on your hook to secure it.
Tips For Making A Slip Stitch
- Slip stitches are usually worked loosely, so don't pull the yarn too tightly when making the stitch.
- If you are using slip stitches to join rounds of crochet, make use to slip stitch into the first stitch of the round, not the space that you used to start the round (unless specified in the pattern).
Examples Of How To Use A Slip Stitch
Forming A Foundation Ring
A slip stitch is commonly used to form a foundation ring made with chain stitches or a magic ring for patterns like granny squares, round doilies, hats, and more.
Using a slip stitch will secure the ring in place so that stitches can be worked into the ring.
Your pattern might start with a foundation chain which is then joined with a slip stitch into the first chain made to form a ring.
Let's say your pattern asks you to "Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring". This is how you would do it.
Step 1 - Chain 4.
Step 2 - Insert your hook into the very first chain you made (the one nearest the slip knot).
Step 3 - You would then place the yarn over your hook and pull through both the chain stitch and the loop on your hook.
Once step 3 is complete you will have formed a foundation ring, in which you can work the first round of stitches.
Joining A Round
Slip stitches can also be used to join rounds and help to keep each of the rounds even in height.
To do this, use the slip stitch to join the last stitch in the round to the first stitch before working the next round.
Image 1 - In this image, I will be joining the first and last stitch of the round with a slip stitch into the top of the ch2.
Image 2 - Slip your hook into the top of the ch2, yarn over the hook, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
Moving Yarn Across A Row/Round
Slip stitches can also be used to move the same colored yarn to another spot on your work without having to cut and join it.
In the image below, to move the yarn to the ch 2 space, I have slip stitched into the top of chain 2 to join the round and then slip stitch into the next 2 stitches and then into the ch2 space.
Slip Stitch Seam
You can use slip stitches to join two pieces of crocheted fabric by working through the outside loops of both pieces to create a sturdy and nearly invisible seam.
Step 1 - Attach the yarn for joining to the hook with a slip knot. Then hold the two pieces together so the sides line up with the right sides facing together.
Step 2 - Insert your hook into one outer loop from each of the pieces. You will have three loops on your hook - two from the crochet pieces and the one on the hook.
Step 3 - Then yarn over the hook and pull it through all three loops.
Step 4 - Repeat steps 2 and step 3 as many times as needed to join the pieces to the end. Then fasten with a chain 1 and cut the yarn and pull through the loop.
Slip Stitch Edging
For some items, you might like to neaten the edges with a small border or give it a decorative look with some surface slip stitches in the same or contrasting color yarn.
When making slip stitches in a border or a decorative look be sure not to work them too tight because your piece will get distorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
A slip stitch is a basic stitch that is used for joining pieces together or creating a loop, while a single crochet stitch is a more complex stitch that is used to create fabric.
You can use slip stitches to create various crochet projects, such as joining two pieces of fabric together, creating a loop for a button closure, or creating a decorative edge on a project.
When counting slip stitches, each slip stitch is counted as one stitch. So if you made ten slip stitches, you would count them as ten stitches.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- How to crochet a slip knot
- How to start a crochet chain stitch
- How to single crochet
- How to half double crochet
- how to make a double crochet stitch
- How to crochet a treble stitch
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Printable Instructions
How To Make Half Double Crochet Stitch
What You Will Need
Yarn
- 1 ball yarn
Hook
- Size hook suited to the yarn you are using.
Notions
- Scissors
Gauge
- Not important for this pattern
Instructions
- 1. Begin by inserting your hook into the next stitch or chain space.
- 2. Yarn over your hook, which means wrapping the yarn around the hook from back to front.
- 3. Pull the loop of yarn through both the stitch or chain space and the loop on your hook. This will create a slip stitch.
- 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each slip stitch you want to make.
- 5. To finish your work, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the loop on your hook to secure it.
Notes
- Slip stitches are usually worked loosely, so don't pull the yarn too tightly when making the stitch.
- If you are using slip stitches to join rounds of crochet, make use to slip stitch into the first stitch of the round, not the space that you used to start the round (unless specified in the pattern).
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