How to Tie a Slip Knot

The Slip Knot is one of the easiest knots to learn. It’s simple, incredibly useful, and easy to untie.

You’ll see it in everything from crochet and fishing to camping.

But here’s the thing: People mean different things when they say the term “Slip Knot,” and they often mean different things.

There’s a lot of confusion.

Let’s clear it up. I’ll guide you through what it is, what it isn’t, and how to tie it right.

First Off, What’s a Slip Knot?

In knot tying, the term “Slip Knot” means a knot based on the Overhand Knot. 

You make an Overhand loop in the end and pull the bight through the loop instead of pulling the end all the way through.

Tug the tail, and the knot falls apart in a second. 

That’s a classic Slip Knot in its purest form. In the Ashley Book of Knots, it’s listed under ABoK #529.

But knitters often call the Noose Knot a Slip Knot. Fishermen use a “slip knot” for loop knots like Uni Knot. Then there are “slipped” versions of the other knots, too.

No wonder the confusion!

How to Tie a Slip Knot (Pure Slip Knot)

1. Tie an Overhand loop.
2. Pass the working end behind the loop.
3. Pull the bight through the loop and tighten the knot.

If the loop tightens under tension and gets smaller as you pull, that’s not a Slip Knot, and you’re looking at the Noose Knot. We’ll talk about that next.

Slip Knot vs Noose Knot

Now, this is where people mix things up.

The Noose Knot looks similar to the Slip Knot, but behaves differently. 

The Noose Knot tightens as you pull the standing line and jams under pressure. It’s not meant to release easily.

The Slip Knot is a quick-release loop that pops out when you pull the tail.

In crochet and knitting, people still call their starter loop a “slip knot.” But it often functions like a noose that tightens when you pull the yarn.

But that’s not wrong; it’s a different use of the name.

How to Tie a Slip Knot in Knitting and Crochet

In crocheting and knitting, a Slip Knot is a sliding knot.

It’s the first loop that goes on your hook or needle. It anchors the yarn so you can create a foundation chain and stitches.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Starting with the tail end of your yarn, pull about 15cm from the ball.
2. Make a loop.
3. Put the yarn at the back of the loop.
4. With your index and thumb, pull the yarn through a loop.
5. Hold the short end and pull the loop to tighten the knot.

How to Tie a Slip Knot for Fishing

This part might surprise you.

In fishing, “Slip Knot” refers to a loop knot with a couple of wraps around the main line. It slides up and down the main line to wrap tightly around something.

It’s not a knot per se, but describes a category of knots. One of the most common is the Uni Knot, a standard Slip Knot with 4 or more wraps.

1. Make a bight by doubling the rope back onto itself.
2. Run the tag end towards the loop and lay it over the doubled lines.
3. Wrap the tag end around the bight one or two times.
4. Hold the loop and pull the tag end to tighten the knot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a “Slipped Knot” the Same as a “Slip Knot”?

No. The slipped knots and slip knot are not the same.

A “slipped knot” just means that you finish a knot with a bight instead of the end. You can do this with almost any knot. 

You can have a slipped Buntline Hitch, Slipped Half Hitch, or Slipped Rolling Hitch.

All of these will come undone with a tug on the tail.

But the Slip Knot is a unique knot with its own structure. It’s not a regular knot with a slipped finish.

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