Most of the time when you make a slip stitch, you don't come back and work another stitch into that slip stitch. But there are also times you will want to work into the slip stitch - and this technique will make it a bit easier!
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Working into a slip stitch is usually no fun - slip stitches are, by their nature, low and tight. You don't generally leave room for a hook to work in there, so working into a slip stitch can be a real struggle.
But there are more and more "slip stitch crochet" patterns, where you work slip stitches as the main stitch. And of course there are always patterns where you work into a slip stitch here or there - especially items with a lot of shaping.
So the key isn't so much how you work into the slip stitch - it's how you make the slip stitch that will be worked into! Yes, this requires looking ahead a bit in the pattern - or pulling out your stitches when you discover that the sl st needs to be worked into. Here's how I plan the slip stitches to work into:
Working Into a Slip Stitch Tutorial - Right Handed
Working Into a Slip Stitch Tutorial - Left Handed
As Seen In This Video (click for more info):
In words: When it's time to make a slip stitch that you know you're going to want to crochet into later, start the stitch as normal. Insert your hook in the indicated stitch, pull up a loop... and here's the key... PAUSE! Just for a beat. Then, continue with the slip stitch as normal.
Pulling the loop up and pausing causes you to pull it that little bit higher - almost as if you were going to be working a single crochet instead of a slip stitch. This creates just enough room for you to work into the stitch when the time comes.
It's as simple as that! I hope this quick tip helps you crochet easier, faster, and enjoy it more! Thanks for watching!
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december says
It CAN'T be THAT simple! I was living my whole life so close and never actually get the idea! And I absolutely hate working with slip stitches.
Thank you so much for sharing, that's easiest and most helpful tip I came into for a long while 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you like it! It's a silly thing, but it works!!
december says
Silly thing that no one thinks of...
Tamara Kelly says
😀 It's a *very* quick tip, but anything that makes crochet easier and more fun, right?
Cala says
Interesting tip! Thank you!♥♥♥ What is the tune called that you use for your intro and exit??? It is so darling....cheery and upbeat....just makes me smile when I hear it! ♥♥♥
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you Cala! I don't know the name, it's just something we found on a CD of public domain music clips. 🙂
Kat W says
YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Thanks so much for this excellent tip!! 🙂
Nancy says
Thank you...one again you have rescued us! So simple to remember this great tip. In round the CAL this has occurred often and now I know how to do this!!!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you, I'm so glad to help!
Deborah says
GENIUS! simple, so simple, but GENIUS. I tried this just now on a brim for a hat I have been wanting to try again...the sl st was too hard for me so I had put it aside....I'm into this brim nearly ten rows and I am SAILING ALONG! just...Thank You AGAIN, Tamara..!
Melanie says
Thanks for the tip! I especially appreciate the "left handed" version.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Melanie!