How to Do a Slip Stitch in Crochet: Tutorial With Pictures

Crocheters love to try new tactics and methods to learn how to do a slip stitch in crochet. Slip stitches make their DIY crocheting project fun.

Slip stitch is a kind of crochet stitch that every crocheter knows. It is also useful for knitters.

Using a slip stitch, you can join several pieces together, add some decorative elements, and give a finishing touch to your simple edges. Slip stitch is a kind of utility stitch or technique. It requires practice, patience, and finishing.

Learning how to do a slip stitch in crochet will be helpful as it can help you achieve smooth edges, giving it a more finished look.

Do you also want to learn how to do slip stitch but couldn’t find the right resource? You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, you will learn everything about slip stitch and some easy steps to do a slip stitch in crochet. Keep reading!

Table of Contents

What Does Slip Stitch Mean in Crochet?

Slip stitch, abbreviated as SL st, is one of the six basic and helpful crochet stitches. It sits right next to the stitch it is made into with no height at all.

Wondering, “what does slip stitch mean in crochet?” Slip stitch is a low-profile stitch but serves a valuable purpose. If you know how to start a crochet chain, then you can make a slip stitch.

When a slip stitch is used in every row, it is called Bosnian Crochet.

What Does SL Mean in Crochet, and What Do You Use It for?

Now that you have understood what does sl mean in crochet or what does ss mean in crochet, it’s time to know where you can use it.

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Slip stitch is a basic yet versatile stitch that can make your crochet project more attractive. It can be a perfect stitch for handmade pillows, stuffed plush animals, etc. Here are some of the ways you can use slip stitch (SL st):

- Join two pieces together
- Create a simple edge
- Use it as a trim for your DIY project
- Join the beginning and end of the crochet chain using an sl st
- Increase round in your crochet project when you need a smaller stitch
- To add any decorative element on top of your project, which is called surface slip stitches

How to Do Slip Stitch Crochet: 5 Important Tips

Before we learn how to do slip stitch crochet, it is important to look at some tips and tricks to make your slip stitch in a perfect way.

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Slip stitch is used to join two crochet pieces together or add invisible stitches. It can also be used to crochet beanies, scarves, or anything you want.

Here are some tips that make your slip stitches much easier.

Use Bigger Hooks

When you are learning how to crochet a hat or any clothing item, you need to use the best crochet hooks that are double the size of the recommendations.

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This way, the stitches won’t be loose and keep the edges from rolling. For a home décor project that needs sturdy types of fabric, you need to use one or two sizes larger than the recommendation.

Count Your Stitches

While slip stitching, the last stitch of the row should be hidden. Don’t forget to count your stitches and learn how to decrease in crochet.

Keep Your Tension Loose

Slip stitches are kind of tight stitches, so it has to be easy to insert into the hook. Learn how to weave in ends crochet to make the loose yarn end tight.

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Enjoy the Process

The slip stitch is a slow process, and it can take some time to finish a few rows. Have a lot of patience and practice more as it will help you.

If you already know how to crochet a magic circle or how to crochet a circle, then slip stitch can be easy for you.

Your Work Will Shrink

For slip stitch, you should start with a longer chain first. As you crochet rows, it will be easier to tighten your work. For example, after six to eight rows, you will see that the shrinking stops and your crochet piece will have its shape.

How to Do a Slip Stitch in Crochet: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have understood what slip stitches are and where you can use them, it’s time to answer your most-asked question, “how do you slip stitch in crochet?”

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Since you are familiar with what is crochet, you will know:

These are some of the crocheting techniques that will be used along with slip stitch. They are the essential stitches that you will see in every crochet pattern. Use a slip stitch to seam pieces together, make crochet edging, and join round.

Are you ready to learn how to do a slip stitch in crochet? Then this step-by-step tutorial will help you learn everything about slip stitches.

Materials You Will Need

So what do you need to begin your journey of how to do a slip stitch in crochet? Well… not many things.

To get started with the SL ST tutorial, you will need the below-listed materials.

- Yarn
  - Any medium-weight best yarn for crochet.

- Crochet hook
  - Crochet hook in the right size to match the yarn.

- Stitch Marker
  - This will help you mark the number of slip stitches on the rows.

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Crochet Chart Symbol

The slip stitches in the crochet charts are represented by a filled dot or “.”.

Abbreviation

In both US and UK, slip stitch is known as “slip stitch.” The abbreviation is “sl st.”.

Learn How to Make a Slip Stitch in Crochet: a Tutorial With Steps

Whether you are knitting, crocheting, or hand stitching, you will see that slip stitch is used everywhere. This invisible or ladder stitch is the foundation of every other crochet technique.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial to help you learn how to crochet a slip stitch.

Start by Forming a Chain Stitch

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You can start working on a slip stitch at just about any point once you begin your project. The easiest way to start a slip stitch is to begin with, the chain stitch’s length. Use a single crochet stitch until you achieve a six stitches long chain.

Insert the Hook

Take a crochet hook and start forming it into the first stitch of your chain. Now push your hook so that you can wrap another length of crochet yarn over it with ease.

If you don’t want to form a ring, you can insert your hook into the second chain.

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Pull Your Yarn Over

With the hand that is controlling the hook, you need to wrap your yarn length over the crochet hook, starting from the back to the front side. This way, you will be rotating the hook towards you in 180-degree. At this stage, you will also notice that the stitch is formed.

Finish Your Slip Stitch

While keeping your hand on the crochet hook, you need to apply gentle pressure and push upwards to pull the hook backward.

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You will be left with a loop or ring if you begin with the first chain. If you have started with the second chain, then you will need to move your fabric.

Your journey of how to do a slip stitch is complete now. With this, you can make a beautiful, unique DIY crochet project. Don’t forget to give your handmade items a personalize touch with Superlabel Store’s woven labels and hang tags that are

- Super easy
- Super customizable and,
- Superior quality

If you are using slip stitch to crochet a garment, then you can use Superlabel Store’s care labels that will help you show how the garment can be best to be cleaned and at what temperature it should be washed.

Just pick your design and create your own labels with Superlabel Store.

Forming a Ring

Many crocheting projects, such as hexagon patterns or granny scarves, start with a center ring. These crochet patterns have a small number of chain stitches that can be joined to form a ring, and slip stitch help create the join.

Wondering how to end crochet with slip stitch? Just insert your hook at the end of the starting chain and apply a slip stitch.

Joining Rounds

Slip stitch can be helpful when crocheting in rounds. Once you finish crocheting around, you will end up with a space between the first and last round.

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This is where the slip stitch comes to the rescue. A slip stitch can help you fill the gap between the first and last round using stitches.

Slip Stitch in Surface Crochet

Slip stitch can be worked on the surface of any fabric. Just poke a crochet hook. This will help you embellish your DIY crochet projects. It’s like adding embroidery but with yarn.

Surface crochet can be useful to decorate the surface of your item with attractive colors and stripes. Read our guide on how to change colors in crochet.

Here are some steps to work surface slip stitch:

- Start by making a small slip knot and hold it on the backside.
- Now insert the crochet hook via the material and keep the slip knot on the hook. Start pulling the loop from the front side but don’t lose the knot on the back.
- At this point, you need to insert the crochet hook into the adjacent stitch or the direction in which you are traveling.
- Pull the yarn over the work and loop it on your hook. This will help you complete your first-ever surface slip stitch.
- Keep repeating the above steps until you achieve your desired design and weave in the crochet yarn ends.

For marking the designs, you can use paper and cut the required shape. Pin it in place and apply stitch slip around it. A disappearing ink marker can also be used to draw the pattern. Don’t forget to test it first to understand how the marking comes out.

Conclusion

Crocheting is a way to express your emotions and play with your imagination. It can be a fun and easy DIY project.

While simple crocheting items look great, learning some additional techniques can help you make your crocheting project more interesting.

Slip stitch is one of the basic yet foundational stitch techniques that can make your crochet item more beautiful and attractive. It is one of those techniques that you will find in every other crocheting pattern.

Learning how to do a slip stitch in crochet will be helpful to you. The above-listed step-by-step tutorial will make your crocheting much easier.

Happy crocheting, happy learning!