Creating ci (song lyric) from shi (lyric poetry) by employing the content, subject-matter, style, mood, and rhetorical techniques of the shi was one of the major characteristics of the ci of the mid-Northern Song dynasty. The first discussions on this style may be found in Huang Tingjian's (1045–1105) preface to Yan Jidao's (1038–1110) Xiaoshan ci (Lyrics of the Little Mountain). Huang pointed out that Yan composed his ci by using the method of composition of a shi poet. There have been, however, few studies addressing the issues of "creating ci from shi" or "song lyric composed through the methods of a shi poet." Based on Huang's theories of poetry, this paper examines the shi poet's method of composition, and analyzes the method as adapted in the Xiaoshan ci. We explore how shi are transformed into ci. First, we review the techniques for "creating ci from shi" from the poetic works from the early to the middle period of the Song dynasty in order to understand how ci before Yan's time had been influenced by shi. Then, we take examples from the Xiaoshan ci to show how the shi poet employed his method of composition and how Yan transformed shi into ci. In conclusion, we shall address the significance of Yan Jidao's creating ci from shi in the history of Chinese poetry.