The slip knot is not a stitch — it is the anchor that holds your first row

The slip knot does not count toward your stitch count. It is the loop you place on your needle to begin knitting, but once you cast on your actual stitches, the slip knot itself is no longer part of the fabric. When a pattern tells you to cast on 20 stitches, those 20 are the real stitches that will form your knitted piece. The slip knot is the temporary foundation that lets you attach yarn to the needle so you can create those stitches.

The confusion arises because the slip knot looks like a stitch when it sits on your needle. It has a loop and a working yarn attached, just like the stitches you will knit. But functionally, it serves a different purpose: it is the starting point, not part of the pattern itself. Once you finish your cast-on row and begin knitting the next row, the slip knot is absorbed into the edge of your work and disappears from view.

Key Takeaways

  • The slip knot is the initial loop you place on your needle before casting on, not a counted stitch in your pattern.
  • When you cast on 20 stitches, you count only the stitches created during the cast-on process, not the slip knot itself.
  • The slip knot becomes part of the edge of your finished piece but does not contribute to the stitch count or the width of your knitting.
  • Different cast-on methods handle the slip knot differently, but in all cases it remains separate from your working stitch count.

Why the slip knot is separate from your stitch count

The slip knot exists only to give you a place to start. It holds the yarn on the needle while you perform your cast-on method — whether that is long-tail cast-on, cable cast-on, or any other technique. The actual stitches you count are the loops you create during the cast-on process itself, not the slip knot that precedes them.

Think of it this way: the slip knot is like threading a needle before you sew. You need it to begin, but it is not part of the seam itself. Once you have cast on your required number of stitches, you have everything you need on the needle, and the slip knot has served its purpose. If you were to count it as a stitch, your finished piece would be one stitch wider than the pattern intended, and your edges would not lie flat.

How the slip knot behaves during cast-on

During a long-tail cast-on, the most common method, you create a slip knot and place it on your needle. Then you use the long tail of yarn and the working yarn to form new loops on the needle. Each of those new loops is a stitch you count. The original slip knot remains on the needle throughout the cast-on process, but it is not one of the stitches you are counting.

When you finish casting on and move to your first knit row, the slip knot sits at the base of your work. As you knit the first row, the stitches you created during cast-on become the foundation of your fabric. The slip knot is woven into the edge and becomes invisible. By the time you have completed a few rows, you will not see it anymore, and it will not affect the appearance or structure of your knitting.

What happens if you accidentally count the slip knot

If you count the slip knot as one of your stitches, you will have one more stitch on your needle than your pattern calls for. This extra stitch will sit at the edge of your work and can create an uneven selvage — the edge of your knitted piece. Your finished width will be slightly larger than intended, and if you are following a fitted pattern like a sweater or hat, the garment may not fit correctly.

The mistake is straightforward to catch early: count your stitches after you have cast on. If you have one more than the pattern specifies, you have likely counted the slip knot. straightforward drop it off the needle and recount. Your cast-on stitches should match the number in your pattern exactly.

Different cast-on methods and the slip knot

Most cast-on methods begin with a slip knot, including long-tail, cable, and thumb cast-on. Some methods, like provisional cast-on using a crochet hook, may handle the starting loop differently, but the principle remains the same: the initial loop is separate from the stitches you count. Provisional cast-on is often used when you plan to pick up stitches later, and even in that case, the slip knot or starting loop is not part of your stitch count.

A few methods, like the Italian cast-on or some variations of the provisional cast-on, may not use a traditional slip knot at all. Instead, they create the first stitch directly on the needle. Even in these cases, you count only the stitches that form the actual foundation of your knitting, not any temporary loops used to set up the method.

How to avoid confusion when casting on

The clearest way to stay accurate is to count your stitches when ready after you finish casting on, before you knit the first row. Place your needle on a flat surface and count each loop on the needle from one end to the other. The number should match your pattern exactly. If it does not, check whether you have included the slip knot in your count.

Another helpful habit is to place a stitch marker on your needle after you have cast on all your stitches. This marker sits between your last cast-on stitch and the slip knot, making it visually clear which loops are your working stitches and which is the temporary anchor. Some knitters prefer to remove the slip knot entirely before knitting the first row, though this is not necessary — it will disappear on its own as you work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I remove the slip knot before I start knitting?

No, you do not need to remove it. The slip knot will naturally become part of the edge of your work as you knit the first row. Leaving it on the needle is standard practice and causes no problems. Some knitters prefer to remove it for peace of mind, but it makes no difference to the finished piece.

What if I cast on and my stitch count is one too many?

Count again carefully, paying attention to whether you have included the slip knot. If you have, drop it off the needle and recount your cast-on stitches. They should now match your pattern. If the count is still off, you may have made an error during cast-on itself, and you may need to cast on again.

Does the slip knot affect the edge of my knitting?

The slip knot becomes part of the selvage, or edge, of your work, but it does not create a visible bump or irregularity if you have cast on correctly. It is woven into the edge naturally and blends in with the rest of your stitches once you have knitted a few rows.

Can I use a slip knot with every cast-on method?

Most common cast-on methods use a slip knot to begin. Some specialty methods, like provisional cast-on or certain advanced techniques, may start differently, but the slip knot remains the standard starting point for long-tail, cable, and thumb cast-on, which are the methods most knitters use regularly.