How to Make a Slip Stitch
A slip stitch is the shortest basic crochet stitch. It is used to join rounds, move across stitches without adding height, make surface details, and create neat edges. Because it is small, it can become tight quickly. The main skill is keeping the loop relaxed.
Abbreviation
sl st means slip stitch.
Basic slip stitch steps
- Insert the hook into the stitch or chain where the pattern tells you to work.
- Yarn over.
- Pull the yarn through the stitch and through the loop already on your hook in one smooth motion.
That is the complete stitch. It does not have the extra yarn-over step that single crochet uses.
Practice row
Chain 20. Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook and make one slip stitch. Continue making one slip stitch into each chain across. You should have 19 slip stitches. The row will look narrow and may curl a little, which is normal.
Joining a round
When a pattern says to join with a slip stitch, insert the hook into the named stitch, usually the first stitch of the round. Yarn over and pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook. Do not pull the join too tight. A tight join can make the next round difficult to start.
Surface slip stitch
Surface slip stitch is worked on top of finished crochet fabric. Hold the working yarn behind the fabric. Insert the hook from front to back, catch the yarn, and pull it to the front and through the loop on the hook. This technique can make lines, outlines, stems, or simple lettering.
Beginner tips
Use a larger hook if your slip stitches are hard to enter. Do not yank the loop down after each stitch. Let the hook head determine the size of the loop. If a pattern asks you to slip stitch across several stitches before beginning a new section, work those stitches gently so the edge does not pucker.
Slip stitch is small but important. Practice it as a join, as a flat row, and as a surface detail so you recognize the different ways it behaves.