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Slip Stitch

The slip stitch is a necessary stitch to learn.  It can be used in many different ways because it doesn't add any height to your work.  It's often used to transition between stitches.

We'll also go over Fastening Off and Turning Chains here.  These are necessary elements to crochet.  It’s much easier to learn them now before you begin other stitches or projects. 

Please don't skip over them!

Let's Begin . . .

This stitch is used to get you from one point to another in your piece without adding any height.  It’s also used to end a row when working in rounds.

It's abbreviation in patterns is ss or sometimes sl for slip. 

We’re going to make a we're going to work this stitch in a foundation chain.

1.  Chain 15.

2.  Insert the crochet hook into the second chain from the hook.  There are now two loops on your hook.

3.   Yo and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.

That's it!  So easy!

You can continue practicing slip stitches to the end of your chain, just so that you know what they are and how to do them.

Fastening off

Once you've completed your project (sometimes between rounds) you need to fasten off your yarn.  This secures your yarn end so that it won't unravel.

Here's the method I use.

1.   While the yarn is still around your fingers, clip it right in front of your ring finger.  This will leave you with about a 4 inch tail. 

2.   Yo and pull the tail completely through the last loop.

3.   Pull the tail until the yarn tightens up on your last stitch.

You’ve now fastened off your chain.  It’s the same process with any piece that you’re working on.

Turning chains

When you complete a row or round of crochet, you'll need to make a chain that will match the height of your next row of stitches.  This is called a turning chain.

In most cases, the turning chain will count as the first stitch in your next row, except for single crochet.  There are a suggested number of chains to match each stitch.


Here are the suggested turning chain counts:

US

  • Single Crochet = 1 chain
  • Half Double Crochet = 2 chains
  • Double Crochet = 3 chains
  • Treble Crochet = 4 chains

UK

  • Double Crochet = 1 chain
  • Half Treble Crochet = 2 chains
  • Treble Crochet = 3 chains
  • Double Treble Crochet = 4 chains


So, if you are about to do a row of . . .

. . . single crochet, then you would chain 1 before you’re next row.

. . .  double crochet?  Then you’d chain 3 first.

Don't worry, most patterns will instruct you to chain the correct number before beginning your new row or round.

A Little Help . . .

Sometimes you might find that your work looks a bit loopy or too tight where your turning chain is.  If this happens you’ll need to adjust the number of chains you use to even things out.


You're doing great learning all the basics.  Now that you have the slip stitch and chain stitch, lets learn Single Crochet!

Leave Slip Stitch for Crochet Help  - for a little more vital information before you begin that first project.

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