How do you crochet a slip stitch?

A slip stitch is one of the most basic crochet stitches. It's a very small stitch that doesn't use much yarn. Slip stitches can be used in multiple ways:

• To join. Often you connect the first and last stitch of a round with a slip stitch. Slip stitches are nearly invisible and help to keep those stitches together.
• Functional. A slip stitch edging is often tighter than other stitches, so if you need your last round or row to be less stretchy compared to the rest of your crochet, a slip stitch edging is very practical.
• Decorative. Slip stitches can be used to crochet a decorative edge or to make surface crochet over other stitches. They can also be part of a stitch pattern. Stitch patterns that use slip stitches are often for more advanced crocheters, because working into slip stitches can be slightly difficult (see 'Tight slip stitches' below).

How to crochet a slip stitch

1. Insert your hook into a stitch.
2. Yarn over.
3. Pull up a loop. Immediately pull that loop through the loop on your hook.

Tight slip stitches

Slip stitches can be very dense and tight. This is perfect if you need them to hide in your work when joining, but not so great if you need to work into them in the next row or round. Some stitch patterns call for working in slip stitches, and if so it's good to remember to work these slip stitches quite loosely. If you can't do that, another solution is to switch to a larger crochet hook for the slip stitch so the loops of your stitch will be bigger. Don't forget to change back to your regular hook afterwards!