How to Crochet a Slip Stitch - Step-by-Step for Beginners (Right-Handed)
Slip stitches are one of the absolute basics of crochet and something you definitely need when crocheting patterns. The good thing is, slip stitches are one of the simplest stitches in crochet. If you know how to crochet a chain you will be able to figure out how to slip stitch very easily.
If you need to learn how to make a chain, click here for the full tutorial.
When will you need a slip stitch?
There are a lot of different instances where you might need to use a slip stitch while crocheting. You may need to use a slip stitch to close a round, to "get to" a different stitch, and many more reasons. This is a stitch that you will encounter often and you will do well to learn it and practice so you remember it next time you come across a slip stitch (sl st) in a pattern.
Prefer to Watch the Video Instead?
Right-handed slip stitch tutorial
Left-handed slip stitch tutorial
If you need the left-handed written tutorial, CLICK HERE.
If you are using a slip stitch within a pattern, you need to know into where to insert your hook. If you need help figuring out where to insert your hook, watch this video about the anatomy of a crochet stitch to learn what the different parts of crochet stitches are called.
My first example below shows how to do a slip stitch into a chain. The second example shows how to do a slip stitch into the top of a double crochet stitch, so you can see where to insert your hook for that. Typically, you will be inserting your hook under the front and back loops of the stitch that you are crocheting into, unless the pattern you are following specifies otherwise.
To see the second example, scroll down until you see 'How to Crochet a Slip Stitch Into the Top of a Stitch'
Now, if you're ready, let's get started with the written tutorial of how to crochet a slip stitch!
How to Crochet a Slip Stitch into a Chain
The first thing you will need to do is create a chain of at least 2 or 3 unless you are already in the middle of a pattern that calls for a slip stitch.
Step 1: Insert your hook into the desired stitch
Step 2: Yarn over as you would with a chain or most other stitches. Bring yarn from back of hook (far side) to front (close side) of hook.
Step 3: Rotate your hook so the tip is facing down and pull up a loop. At this point, you should have two loops on your hook.
Step 4: Pull the loop you just made through the original loop on the hook.
You will be left with just one loop on your hook.
Once you get the hang of making slip stitches, you will begin to combine steps 3 and 4 into one fluid movement to speed up your crocheting.
Tip: Do not pull through the loop you just made because you will start your next stitch with that loop.
You should now only have one loop on your hook and you are ready to make your next stitch.
And that’s it!
-----
How to Crochet a Slip Stitch Into the Top of a Stitch
This tutorial assumes you are in the middle of a pattern and you will be performing a slip stitch into the top of a stitch (such as a single crochet, double crochet, triple crochet or other...).
Step 1: Insert your hook into the desired stitch
Step 2: Yarn over as you would with a chain or most other stitches. Bring yarn from back of hook (far side) to front (close side) of hook.
Step 3: Rotate your hook so the tip is facing down and pull up a loop. At this point, you should have two loops on your hook.
Step 4: Pull the loop you just made through the original loop on the hook.
You will be left with just one loop on your hook.
Once you get the hang of making slip stitches, you will begin to combine steps 3 and 4 into one fluid movement to speed up your crocheting.
Tip: Do not pull through the loop you just made because you will start your next stitch with that loop.
You should now only have one loop on your hook and you are ready to make your next stitch.
And that’s it!
Now that you’ve mastered the chain and the slip stitch, it’s time to make your first crochet project! I put together a couple of patterns that are perfect for beginners and use only these 2 basic stitches.
Soap Saver: This cute soap saver pattern is made up of only chains and slip stitches. It is the perfect way to practice the stitches you have learned so far and make something really cute, useful and even environmentally friendly out of it. Click here to see the soap saver pattern.
P.S. I hope that this tutorial helped you! My goal is to help 100,000 people learn how to crochet. To learn even more and gain access to tons of free goodies, tutorials, and patterns, make sure you subscribe to my email list below.