A lot of your crochet project will begin with making a slip knot. There are several ways to form this type of knot, I tend to make them using my hook. But you can make them without a hook as well.
Making a Slip Knot with a Hook
Place the yarn around the hook.
Twist the hook around the two tails below the hook in an anti-clockwise direction. This will create a twist below the hook.
Take the long tail and wrap it over the hook (from the back to the front).
Now you will have a loop on the hook and the tail wrapped over it as well. Use the hook to pull the yarn tail through the loop to form a stitch.
Give the shorter tail a slight tug to tighten the stitch and you are really to start forming chain stitches.
Making a Slip Knot without a Hook
Some people are more comfortable making a slip knot without using the hook.
To get started, hold the end of the yarn in your hand and wrap the yarn around your index and middle fingers.
Cross the yarns at the top of the circle and pinch the loop where the yarns cross with your thumb.
Using your other hand, put your thumb and index finger through the circle.
Grab the long tail and pull a loop through the circle.
Hold the two tails and gently pull the loop up to tighten the knot.
Slip the loop over your hook.
Pull the long tail to tighten the stitch.
Would a Video Help?
Sometimes watching someone do it is easier to absorb than static images and written instructions.
