Slip Stitch (sl st)

The slip stitch is the shortest crochet stitch, used to join rounds, move yarn to a new position without adding height, and finish seams.

US abbreviation: sl stUK abbreviation: ssDifficulty: beginner
Slip stitch

Chart symbol

This is the standard symbol for slip stitch in crochet charts.

How to crochet the Slip Stitch

  1. 1Insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated in the pattern.
  2. 2Yarn over (wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front).
  3. 3Pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop already on your hook in one motion.
  4. 4One slip stitch is complete. The loop on your hook is your new working loop.

Tips

  • Keep slip stitches loose. A tight slip stitch is difficult to work into on the next row.
  • When joining a round, insert the hook into the first stitch of that round, not the turning chain.
  • Use slip stitches to travel across a row without adding height when a pattern tells you to move the yarn to a specific point.

Used in

  • Joining rounds
  • Seaming pieces together
  • Surface crochet
  • Granny squares
  • Amigurumi

Related stitches

Find more stitches in the complete crochet stitches library. To visualize this stitch in a chart, try the free stitch chart maker.