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Knitting Library  >  Techniques

How to Tie a Slip Knot for Knitting

Published on October 3, 2018 By Davina | May contain affiliate links (whats this?)

how to tie a slip knot for knitting

Before you can knit or crochet, you’ll need to make a slip knot. It’s the starting point for everything to come. Learn how to tie a slipknot, and you’ve got step one covered.

Every knitting and crochet project begins with the slip knot. This little knot is like an anchor for your cast on or crochet chain. It can even be used to start a bracelet!

In knitting, the slip knot counts as the first stitch of the cast on. That means that by tying a slipknot, you’ve cast on your first stitch!

So, how do you make a slip knot? Thankfully, it’s easy-peasy. All you’ll need is yarn or string and your own two hands.

Watch the step-by-step video or follow along in the detailed photo tutorial below. You’ll be tying slip knots in no time!

Slip Knot Video Tutorial

If you’re a video learner, then this one’s perfect for you! This video tutorial shows you, step-by-step, how to tie a slip knot. 

Slip Knot Photo Tutorial

Not everyone loves video, and that’s okay! I try to break down the steps for tying a slip knot in this detailed photo guide. If you get confused on a step, refer back to the video above. Chances are, it’ll be better explained there. Okay, here we go!

Measure 10-12” from the tail end of the yarn.
Hold the yarn at the 10-12” mark and bring it over to the other side
Once the two sides of the yarn touch, let it go.
You’ve now made a loop!
With your right hand, touch the thumb and index finger together
Bring the two fingers into the loop
Let the loop sit comfortably on your two fingers
With your two fingers, grab the yarn tail on the left – the one that’s not attached to the ball
With the left hand, go under the right hand & grab the yarn attached to the ball of yarn
Keep hold of the yarn in your right hand. With left hand, grab the yarn attached to the ball and pull down
Pull the yarn all the way down until it stops & forms into a knot
Take a look at the loop in your hand. It’s a slipknot!
Place the slipknot on a needle or crochet hook
Hold onto the knot & pull down on the short yarn tail to tighten the slipknot
Now the slipknot sits snugly on the needle. You’re ready to cast on!

The yarn used in this tutorial is Lion Brand’s Hometown USA in color Fort Lauderdale Coral. The needles used are 8mm bamboo needles.

You’ve Tied a Slip Knot!

If all goes accordingly, you’ll have yourself a slipknot! Place the knot on a needle or crochet hook to start casting on or chain stitching.

You’ve got a slip knot now. Hurrah! Want to learn how to cast on? Check out the Long tail cast on (thumb method). This is the cast on that I like to teach beginners. It’s fairly straight-forward to do, and it produces a nice, stretchy all-purpose cast on.

Are You New to Knitting?

how to knit for beginners

I’ve made a detailed guide for new knitters! It covers the very basics: cast on, knit stitch and cast off.  These three techniques are the backbone of knitting. Master them, and you’re officially a knitter!

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Category: Techniques / Subcategory: Cast On

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