A slip knot is the foundation loop that starts every knitting project
A slip knot is a loop of yarn that sits on your needle and serves as your first stitch. Every knitting project begins with one. It takes about 30 seconds to make once you know the motion, and you will tie it the same way every time you cast on.
The slip knot itself is not counted as a stitch — it is straightforward the anchor that holds your working yarn in place while you build your cast-on row. Once you have finished casting on all your stitches, you will tighten this knot slightly so it does not slip off the needle, but it stays loose enough that you can work with it comfortably on your first row.
Key Takeaways
- A slip knot is made by looping yarn around your fingers, pulling the working yarn through the loop, and sliding it onto your needle.
- The knot should be snug enough to stay on the needle but loose enough that you can slide it freely when you start knitting.
- If your slip knot is too tight, you will struggle to work your first row; if it is too loose, it will fall off the needle.
- You tie a slip knot the same way regardless of yarn weight or needle size — the technique does not change.
Step-by-step: Making a slip knot with your fingers
Start with about 6 inches of yarn extending from the ball or skein. Hold the yarn in your left hand with your thumb and index finger, leaving the working yarn (the yarn still attached to the ball) hanging down on your right side.
Make a loop by crossing the working yarn over the yarn end in your left hand. The working yarn should pass over the top and come down on the right side of the loop. You now have a loop with two yarn tails — one short end and one long working yarn.
Insert your right index finger up through the loop from underneath. Grab the working yarn (the long tail) with your finger and pull it back through the loop toward you. You will now have a new, smaller loop on your finger. This smaller loop is your slip knot.
Slide this loop onto your knitting needle. Gently pull both yarn tails — the short end and the working yarn — to tighten the knot around the needle. The knot should grip the needle without being so tight that you cannot move it. You should be able to slide the loop along the needle with light pressure from your fingers.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
The most frequent error is making the slip knot too tight. If you pull hard on both yarn tails, the knot will cinch down and make your first row painful to work. Instead, tighten just enough that the loop does not slide off when you pick up the needle. You can always adjust it slightly as you begin casting on.
Another mistake is using too much yarn for the initial loop. If you start with more than 6 inches of yarn end, you will have excess yarn hanging from your needle, which gets in the way. Keep the short tail short — you only need enough to hold while you form the knot.
Some knitters accidentally create a knot with the loop on the wrong side of the needle. The loop should sit on the shaft of the needle, not twisted around it. If your loop looks twisted or wraps around the needle at an angle, slide it off and retie it. The loop should sit flat and perpendicular to the needle shaft.
Adjusting the slip knot tension while you cast on
Once your slip knot is on the needle, you will hold the needle in one hand and use your other hand to cast on stitches. As you work, you may notice the slip knot is either too tight or too loose. You can adjust it between stitches without starting over.
If it is too tight, gently pull the working yarn away from the knot while holding the needle still. This loosens the loop slightly. If it is too loose and slides around, pull both yarn tails gently to snug it up. Make small adjustments — you do not need to retighten it completely, just enough to keep it stable.
By the time you finish casting on your full row of stitches, the slip knot will be surrounded by other stitches and will not move. At that point, you can stop worrying about it and focus on your first row of knitting.
Why the slip knot matters for your cast-on
The slip knot is the anchor point for every cast-on method. Whether you use long-tail cast-on, cable cast-on, or any other technique, you always start with a slip knot on the needle. If this first knot is uneven or too tight, it will throw off the tension of your entire cast-on row, and your edge will look lumpy or uneven.
A properly made slip knot sits at the same tension as the stitches you will cast on next. This creates a smooth, even edge that looks professional. Spending 30 seconds to get the slip knot right saves you from having to rip back and start over later.
Slip knot on circular needles and double-pointed needles
The slip knot technique is identical whether you are using straight needles, circular needles, or double-pointed needles. The only difference is where the knot sits on the needle. On a circular needle, the slip knot goes on one tip just like it would on a straight needle. On double-pointed needles, you place it on the first needle you will use to cast on.
Some knitters working with circular needles prefer to place the slip knot on the cable (the flexible part connecting the two tips) rather than on a needle tip. This keeps it out of the way while you cast on. Either method works — choose whichever feels more comfortable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my slip knot keeps falling off the needle?
Your knot is too loose. Pull both yarn tails gently to tighten it around the needle shaft. The loop should grip the needle firmly enough that you cannot slide it off without deliberately loosening the knot first. If tightening does not help, untie the knot and make a new one, pulling more firmly on the tails this time.
Can I make a slip knot before I put it on the needle?
Yes. Some knitters tie the slip knot in their hand first, then slide it onto the needle. Others make the knot directly on the needle. Both methods produce the same result. Use whichever feels more natural to you — there is no right way.
Does the slip knot count as my first cast-on stitch?
No. The slip knot is not counted as a stitch. If your pattern says to cast on 20 stitches, you tie the slip knot first, then cast on 20 additional stitches. The slip knot is straightforward the anchor that holds everything in place.
What if I make the slip knot too tight and cannot work my first row?
Loosen it by gently pulling the working yarn away from the knot while holding the needle still. You do not need to untie it — just ease the tension. If it is still too tight after loosening, you can untie it and retie it more loosely. This is faster than struggling through a tight first row.
Is the slip knot the same for all yarn weights?
Yes. The technique does not change whether you are using thin fingering-weight yarn or thick bulky yarn. The only thing that changes is the needle size, which does not affect how you tie the knot. Tie it the same way every time.