Stitch guide · Basic stitches
Slip Stitchsl st
The slip stitch is the shortest crochet stitch. It joins rounds, moves your hook to a new spot without adding height and makes neat, firm edges.
On this page
- US abbreviation
- sl st
- UK name
- slip stitch (ss)
- Skill level
- Absolute Beginner
- Stitch multiple
- Any number
- Turning chain
- Usually none
- Height
- Almost no height
Chart symbol for the slip stitch
You will use the slip stitch constantly, even though it rarely makes up a whole project. It joins a ring of chains or the end of a round, moves your hook across stitches without adding height — like at the start of a granny square round — and makes tidy edgings and surface decoration.
How to crochet the slip stitch
- 1
Insert the hook
Insert your hook into the stitch or chain indicated, from front to back.
- 2
Yarn over
Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.
- 3
Pull through everything
Draw the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on your hook in one motion. That’s one slip stitch.
Practice swatch
Work this small swatch to get comfortable with the stitch before starting a project.
- Joining a ring
- Ch 6, then sl st into the first chain to form a ring.
- Joining a round
- At the end of a round, sl st into the top of the first stitch of that round.
Tips
- Keep slip stitches loose — they tighten easily and can be hard to work into later.
- When joining rounds, insert your hook under both loops of the first stitch unless the pattern says otherwise.
Common problems (and fixes)
- My slip stitches make the edge pucker
- Your tension is too tight. Pull the loop up a little taller before drawing through, or use a larger hook just for the slip stitch row.
- I can’t find the join on the next round
- Slip stitches are small. Put a marker in the first real stitch of each round so the start is easy to spot.
Common questions
Is a slip stitch the same in US and UK patterns?
Yes, the stitch is identical. UK patterns often abbreviate it as ss, while US patterns use sl st.
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Put it into practice
Patterns using the slip stitch
Free pattern
Free pattern
Free pattern
Free pattern
Free pattern
Free pattern
Free pattern
Free pattern
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