SL ST means slip stitch in crochet, a compact stitch that pulls yarn through an existing stitch and the loop already on the hook. It adds almost no vertical height, so crocheters mainly use it for joining rounds, moving across fabric, making surface lines, finishing edges, and creating dense ribbing.
Key Facts About the Crochet Slip Stitch
- SL ST and sl st are standard abbreviations for slip stitch in many US crochet patterns.
- A completed slip stitch normally has one active loop and no extra yarn-over step.
- The stitch adds negligible height compared with single crochet, half double crochet, or double crochet.
- A round join commonly uses one slip stitch from the last stitch to the first stitch.
- Slip stitches can be worked through the full stitch, front loop, back loop, or fabric surface.
- Typical slip-stitch ribbing is elastic across its width, but it grows slowly along its row length.
The abbreviation identifies a technique, not a fixed fabric. A slip stitch worked through both loops creates a flatter, firmer result than one worked in the back loop only, while surface slip stitch produces a cord-like line without building a separate row. Pattern designers therefore specify placement carefully.
The Craft Yarn Council’s standardized crochet terminology lists “sl st” for slip stitch in its US crochet abbreviation system. UK patterns may use different stitch names elsewhere, but slip stitch is generally written as sl st or ss, so the pattern’s abbreviation key remains the final authority.
What Does SL ST Mean in Crochet Patterns?
In a crochet pattern, SL ST means “make a slip stitch,” usually by inserting the hook into a named stitch or space and pulling the working yarn through both the fabric and the loop on the hook. The instruction may also tell you where to work, such as sl st in next 3 sts, sl st to join, or sl st BLO.
A pattern may use the abbreviation in several grammatical forms:
| Pattern instruction | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
sl st in next st |
Work one slip stitch into the next stitch | Move one position with minimal height |
sl st to join |
Connect the final stitch to the beginning | Close a round or ring |
sl st across |
Work one slip stitch in each listed stitch | Make a short, dense row |
sl st BLO |
Use only the back loop | Create a ridged, flexible fabric |
surface sl st |
Work over the outside of finished fabric | Add lines, outlines, or lettering |
The abbreviation does not tell you whether to use a front loop, back loop, or both loops. That information must come from the pattern. If no loop placement appears, the default is usually to insert the hook under both top loops of the stitch in standard US crochet instructions.
How Do You Make a Slip Stitch?
To make a slip stitch, insert the hook into the designated stitch, yarn over, and pull the yarn through the fabric and the loop already on the hook in one continuous motion. A slip stitch normally uses one pull-through and does not require the second yarn over used for single crochet.
- Identify the target stitch or space.
- Insert the hook under the required loop or loops.
- Yarn over from back to front.
- Pull the new loop through the fabric.
- Continue pulling that same loop through the original loop on the hook.
- Tighten gently until the stitch lies flat without closing the entry point.
Before making the stitch, your hook has one active loop. After the stitch, your hook again has one active loop, and the completed stitch remains in the fabric. In contrast, a single crochet requires you to pull up a loop first, yarn over again, and pull through two loops.
Slip Stitch Loop Counts
| Technique | Loops on hook before pull-through | Yarn-over count after insertion | Loops remaining after completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slip stitch | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Single crochet | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Half double crochet | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Chain stitch | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The difference is procedural rather than merely visual. A slip stitch completes the entire movement in one pull-through, while single crochet creates an intermediate loop and therefore builds measurable height.
Where Should the Hook Go?
Hook placement controls the appearance and behavior of the finished fabric. Insert under both top loops for a conventional join, under the back loop only for horizontal ridges, and over the surface strands for decorative surface crochet.
A common beginner error is inserting into the gap between stitches rather than under the stitch loops. That mistake can create an oversized hole, an incorrect stitch count, or an unstable join. When a pattern says “in the next stitch,” locate the small V-shaped top edge before inserting the hook.
What Can a Slip Stitch Do?
A slip stitch can join a circular round, move yarn across a row, outline a finished piece, create decorative surface lines, or form short-row ribbing. Its low profile makes it useful where a taller stitch would create a bump, visible step, or unwanted increase.
- Joining rounds: Connect the last stitch to the first stitch in hats, granny squares, baskets, and amigurumi.
- Moving across fabric: Reach a new position without adding a full stitch height.
- Surface crochet: Draw raised lines, lettering, borders, or color details on completed fabric.
- Edging: Stabilize a raw edge and create a narrow, braided-looking finish.
- Ribbing: Work repeated back-loop-only slip stitches into rows for cuffs, collars, and hat bands.
- Shaping and transitions: Move from a tall stitch area to a lower location before beginning the next instruction.
Common Slip-Stitch Applications
| Application | Typical project | Working direction | Main visual or structural effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round join | Beanie or granny square | Last stitch to first stitch | Closed circular round |
| Surface crochet | Lettering on a blanket | Over completed stitches | Raised cord-like line |
| Edge finish | Washcloth or neckline | Around perimeter | Narrow, firm border |
| BLO ribbing | Cuff or hat band | Short rows | Stretch across row width |
| Position change | Shaped motif | Across adjacent stitches | Yarn reaches a new location |
A joining slip stitch is functional and often hidden. A surface slip stitch is intentionally visible. Treating both techniques as identical can lead to incorrect tension because decorative lines usually need a more relaxed loop than a round join.
When Should You Use a Sewn Join Instead?
Use a sewn join when a nearly invisible round closure matters more than speed. A needle-and-yarn join can avoid the small bump or diagonal seam that a slip-stitch join may produce, especially in the crown of a hat or the center of a motif.
A slip-stitch join is faster and keeps the work on the hook. A sewn join takes roughly 1-3 minutes for a small round, depending on yarn thickness, but often produces a smoother transition. For amigurumi, many crocheters prefer continuous rounds because either join can create a visible seam or slight change in height.
How Much Height, Yarn, and Time Does It Add?
A slip stitch adds negligible vertical height, commonly less than the height of a single crochet under ordinary tension. It does not literally measure 0 millimeters in every fabric, because yarn thickness, hook size, and tension determine the compressed stitch’s final profile.
The following are practical estimates rather than universal standards:
| Property | Slip stitch | Single crochet | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative height per stitch | Near-zero to 2 mm | About 5-10 mm | Slip stitch does not build rows efficiently |
| Common turning chain | 0 or 1 chain | 1 chain | Chain choice depends on pattern structure |
| Typical fabric growth | 2-5 cm per 10 rows | 6-10 cm per 10 rows | More rows are needed for equal length |
| Fabric feel | Firm and compact | Dense but more flexible | Slip stitch needs looser handling |
| Production speed | 5-12 stitches per minute | 10-20 stitches per minute | Full slip-stitch fabric takes longer |
A typical slip-stitch fabric may use approximately 20-30% more yarn than single crochet when both swatches are made to the same width and length, but the figure varies substantially with yarn fiber, stitch orientation, hook size, and tension. Treat that range as a budgeting estimate, not a fixed conversion.
Typical Yarn Costs in USD
| Project scale | Typical yarn quantity | Typical yarn price | Estimated material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small edging | 10-25 g | $4-$8 per 100 g | $0.40-$2.00 |
| Hat brim or cuff | 40-80 g | $5-$12 per 100 g | $2.00-$9.60 |
| Ribbed headband | 60-120 g | $5-$15 per 100 g | $3.00-$18.00 |
| Slip-stitch blanket panel | 500-900 g | $6-$16 per 100 g | $30-$144 |
These costs cover yarn only. A hook, stitch markers, tapestry needle, and pattern may add approximately $5-$25 to a beginner’s setup, while tools already owned do not increase the marginal project cost.
Slip Stitch Compared With Other Crochet Stitches
Slip stitch is the shortest option in common crochet construction, but short does not mean universally better. Single crochet builds a stable fabric faster, chain stitch creates space rather than fabric, and half double crochet adds height when a project needs faster row growth.
| Stitch | Typical height | Main use | Fabric density | Beginner difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip stitch | 0-2 mm | Joins, edging, ribbing | Very compact | Low technique, high tension control |
| Chain stitch | Not a fabric row | Foundation and spaces | Open line | Low |
| Single crochet | 5-10 mm | Solid fabric and amigurumi | Dense | Low |
| Half double crochet | 10-15 mm | Faster, soft fabric | Medium-dense | Low to moderate |
| Double crochet | 15-25 mm | Fast, draping fabric | Open-medium | Low to moderate |
A chain stitch is not a direct substitute for a slip stitch. A chain makes a new loop above the work, while a slip stitch relocates or connects yarn within existing fabric. A single crochet is the closest functional alternative when you need a dense fabric, but it produces a visible row and adds substantially more height.
Slip Stitch Versus Single Crochet
Choose slip stitch for a flat join or narrow structural finish. Choose single crochet for a fabric that must gain length predictably, hold stuffing, or support additional decorative rows.
If a pattern instructs you to “sl st across” and you substitute single crochet, the next row will sit higher and the stitch count may no longer align. If the pattern uses slip-stitch ribbing and you substitute single crochet, the result will usually be wider, less elastic across the rib, and visibly thicker.
Slip Stitch Versus Chain Stitch
A slip stitch attaches yarn to existing fabric, while a chain stitch extends yarn away from the fabric. Chain stitches form turning chains, foundation chains, arches, and spaces; slip stitches close or travel through those structures.
How Can You Improve Slip-Stitch Tension?
The most reliable tension improvement is to loosen the working loop before pulling through and to use a hook 0.5-1.0 millimeter larger when the next insertion feels difficult. Slip stitches tighten during completion, so tension that looks loose at first may become correct after the loop passes through both points.
Use these adjustments:
| Problem | Likely cause | Specific adjustment | Expected result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook will not enter next stitch | Loop pulled too tight | Increase hook by 0.5-1.0 mm | Larger, accessible stitch opening |
| Edge contracts | Every stitch is over-tight | Relax yarn hand and reduce pull-down force | Straighter edge |
| Ribbing lacks stretch | Worked through both loops | Work BLO and maintain even row width | More horizontal elasticity |
| Join forms a bump | Join is pulled too firmly | Use a smaller movement and match round tension | Flatter closure |
| Surface line disappears | Yarn sinks into fabric | Use a larger hook or thicker contrast yarn | More visible raised line |
Keep the active loop at approximately the height of the neighboring stitch until the next insertion is complete. Do not yank the hook upward after pulling through, because that creates an elongated loop that can distort the edge.
Expert insight: Slip-stitch ribbing often feels too tight because crocheters judge the stitch by its width, then pull the loop to match that width. The better control point is loop height. Width comes from the row structure and back-loop placement, not from squeezing each stitch closed.
How Do You Count Slip Stitches?
Count the top V-shaped loops along the row or round, not the tiny vertical bars on the front. Place a marker in the first and last worked stitch when a pattern requires a precise count, especially because a joining slip stitch can resemble a chain or edge loop.
For a flat row, count each completed V across the work. For a joined round, identify whether the pattern counts the joining slip stitch as a stitch. Most patterns do not count the join unless the instructions explicitly say so.
What Happens If You Use the Wrong Slip-Stitch Placement?
Wrong loop placement changes the fabric’s ridge direction, stretch, thickness, and appearance. Working through both loops creates a conventional attachment, front-loop-only work leaves a rear ridge, and back-loop-only work commonly produces a horizontal rib.
| Placement | Visible feature | Stretch direction | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both loops | Small, balanced V | Limited | Round joins and ordinary edging |
| Front loop only | Ridge behind the stitch | Moderate | Decorative texture |
| Back loop only | Ridge toward the front | High across rows | Cuffs and hat bands |
| Surface strands | Raised line on fabric | Minimal | Outlines and lettering |
A front-loop or back-loop instruction must be followed exactly when shaping depends on the remaining loop. The unused loop can become a foundation for later stitches, a ridge for texture, or a visual boundary between rows.
Surface Slip Stitch Versus Worked-Into-Fabric Slip Stitch
Surface slip stitch is worked over the face of completed fabric, usually from the front, while an ordinary slip stitch is inserted into a stitch or space as the fabric is built. Surface work does not create a conventional new row, so it is suitable for outlines but poor for structural height.
For a surface line, insert the hook from front to back at the first point, bring the yarn up, then insert at the next point and pull through the fabric and active loop. Maintain consistent spacing. Uneven entry points create a dotted or wavy line rather than a smooth cord.
What Are the Most Common Slip-Stitch Problems?
The most common problems are overly tight loops, accidental single crochet, skipped edge stitches, and joins placed in the wrong stitch. Each problem has a visible consequence that can usually be corrected before several rows accumulate.
| Symptom | Diagnosis | Immediate fix | When to undo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dense row cannot be worked into | Excessive tension | Replace hook with 0.5-1.0 mm larger size | Undo if next row is blocked |
| Fabric gains unexpected height | Single crochet substituted | Compare loop count and redo stitch | Undo immediately |
| Row has one fewer stitch | Edge stitch missed | Locate last V before turning | Undo if shaping depends on count |
| Round spirals or steps | Join placed off-center | Identify first stitch with marker | Undo before next round |
| Border ripples | Too many edge insertions | Match one stitch per intended edge point | Undo the affected side |
The mistake most people make is pulling the slip stitch tight before checking the next insertion point. Complete the stitch firmly enough to secure it, then leave the active loop open enough for the next hook entry.
Expert insight: A larger hook does not automatically make slip-stitch fabric looser. If the crocheter continues pulling every loop to the same small size, the larger hook only increases hand strain. The hook change works when paired with a higher, more relaxed working loop.
Which Joining Method Should You Choose?
Choose a slip-stitch join for speed and a clearly controlled closure, a chainless or continuous round for reduced seams, and a sewn join when the closure must be visually quiet. The best method depends on whether the project prioritizes speed, shape, or invisibility.
| Joining method | Typical time for one small round | Seam visibility | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slip-stitch join | 10-30 seconds | Low to medium | Granny squares and joined rounds |
| Continuous rounds | No separate join | Spiral may show | Amigurumi and seamless shapes |
| Sewn join | 1-3 minutes | Low | Hat crowns and motifs |
| Needle join with duplicate stitch | 2-4 minutes | Very low | Decorative colorwork closures |
A slip-stitch join can change the apparent height of the first and last stitch. In striped work, that change may create a diagonal seam. A continuous round avoids the joining step but requires a stitch marker because the round’s beginning moves upward in a spiral.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Does SL ST Mean in Crochet
Is SL ST the Same as SS in Crochet?
SL ST and SS usually refer to the same technique, slip stitch. SL ST is common in US patterns, while SS appears in some UK, Australian, and designer-specific instructions. Always check the pattern’s abbreviation list because designers may use a personal shorthand.
Does a Slip Stitch Count as a Stitch?
A slip stitch counts as a stitch when the pattern tells you to work one into the fabric or includes it in the stitch total. A joining slip stitch commonly does not count as a separate stitch in the next round. The pattern’s stitch-count instruction overrides general convention.
Do You Chain One After a Slip-Stitch Join?
Chain one after a slip-stitch join only when the pattern instructs you to do so. A chain one may raise the yarn to begin a new stitch pattern, but it is often unnecessary for a round made entirely from slip stitches. Adding an unrequested chain can create a visible gap.
Can You Use a Slip Stitch to Finish Crochet?
Yes, a slip stitch can finish crochet by securing the yarn at the final position. After completing the stitch, cut the yarn with a 10-15 centimeter tail, pull the tail through the active loop, and weave it through several nearby stitches with a tapestry needle.
Why Does Slip-Stitch Crochet Curl?
Slip-stitch crochet curls when tension is uneven, the turning chain is missing where one is required, or the foundation chain is too tight for the row structure. Blocking may reduce mild curling, but severe distortion usually requires a larger hook, a looser foundation, or revised stitch counts.
Is Slip-Stitch Crochet Like Knitting?
Slip-stitch crochet can resemble knitting when worked back-loop-only in short rows, particularly in cuffs and hat bands. The fabric is not constructed like knitted stockinette, however, and its stretch, drape, recovery, and row direction differ from those of knitted fabric.
Conclusion: What Does SL ST Mean in Crochet?
What Does SL ST Mean in Crochet? It means slip stitch, a low-profile technique that joins, travels, edges, decorates, or creates ribbing without building the height of a single crochet. Work it with one yarn-over pull-through, keep the loop accessible, follow the specified loop placement, and choose a larger hook when tension prevents easy insertion.