How to Weave in the Ends in Crochet
Learn to Fasten off and Weave in the Ends of a Crochet Project
Welcome back to The Restful Stitch! Today we are going to learn how to fasten off and securely weave in the ends in crochet so that they will almost never come undone. As a beginner I learned to crochet over my tails to easily weave them in under my stitches. I rarely use that method anymore (and never for a project I intend for someone other than myself) and I’ll tell you why in a moment.
If you are beginner and have not yet learned the basics of crochet please start with my tutorial How To Crochet As An Absolute Beginner
Weaving in ends is not the most fun part of crocheting, but it is important. Hiding ends securely ensures that you have a beautiful finished work of art and that it doesn’t come undone. I heard a fellow crocheter say that all pieces eventually do come undone, that’s just the way it is. However, my 42 year old baby blanket (crocheted by the grandmother I didn’t get to know) would beg to differ. I haven’t even found the ends to it, though I’ve tried. So I know it can be done well.
In this tutorial I am going to first show you multiple ways to fasten off your project in rows and in the round. You should note that a pattern might have specific instructions on how to fasten off certain parts of a project. So definitely refer to the pattern over this tutorial in those cases.
Then I will teach you how to weave in your ends so that they don’t come out, hopefully, for a very long time.
Use the menu below or continue scrolling for the full tutorial.
How to
- Fasten off working in rows
- Fasten off working in the round
- The Invisible Join
- Weave in ends in crochet securely
Fasten Off Working in Rows
There are two ways to fasten off when working in rows. Both have their pros and cons and either is acceptable. It is completely up to you to decide which way you like. I use both ways at different times.
The first way in more secure, but not as neat looking as the second way.
Option 1:
Finish your last stitch ( leave hook in loop) and cut the yarn, leaving about a 6 inch tail. With your crochet hook still in the loop, yarn over and pull the tail completely through the loop on the hook. Tighten, securing last stitch.
Option 2:
Finish your last stitch and cut the yarn, leaving about a 6 inch tail. Pull the tail all the way through stitch. The last stitch is left unsecured, but we will weave in the ends which will help hold it in place.
Fasten Off Working in Rounds
There are also two ways to fasten off when working in rounds, but they will look a little different depending on whether you are joining each round or working them continuously.
If you are a beginner and don’t need to know this right now, I suggest bookmarking this page for future reference and continuing down to weaving in the ends.
Joined Rounds: Option 1 (The Invisible Join)
Finish your last stitch (do not join) and cut the yarn, leaving about a 6 inch tail. Pull the tail all the way out. Thread a tapestry needle with the tail. Weave the tail under the top two loops of the first stitch of the round and back through the center of the last stitch worked. Continue weaving in ends as instructed below.
Joined Rounds: Option 2
Complete last slip stitch to join the rounds. Leaving the hook in the loop, cut the yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Yarn over, pull tail completely through the loop on hook. Tighten, securing join.
Continuous Rounds: Option 1
Finish last stitch. Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Pull the tail all the way through the loop on hook. Thread a tapestry needle with the tail and weave it under the top two loops of the next stitch. Weave through center of last stitch worked. Continue weaving in tail as I show you in the next section.
Continuous Rounds: Option 2
Finish your last stitch and then slip stitch to the next stitch. With your hook still in the loop, cut the yarn, leaving about a 6 inch tail. Yarn over and pull the tail completely through the loop on the hook. Tighten, securing the slip stitch
How to Weave in the Ends in Crochet
Always leave a tail about 4-6 inches at the beginning and end of your project or color change. Thread your tail through a pointed, steel tapestry needle. With the wrong side of your project facing, begin weaving in the tail, starting under the stitch it is connected to. Be sure that you can’t see the tail from the front or back of your project.
Here is the simple trick to securing ends (and this is why the pointed needle is essential); intentionally split some fibers of the yarn strand as you weave through the stitches. This entangles them in the fabric more than just sliding through the stitches.
Continue in one direction through several stitches and then reverse direction. Once again reverse direction after several stitches being sure to split fibers of the yarn.
That is how you weave in ends securely!
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My name is Heather and I have been crocheting for over 20 years and making up my own patterns for almost as long. As a home school mother, heavily influenced by Charlotte Mason, I have a passion for mother culture – that is the continued self education of mothers. Through learning useful skills, creating art and reading great literature, all who so desire can continue to grow in wisdom and virtue. I believe that for mothers this is especially important as an example to our children and for the nourishing of our souls.
Through these free crochet tutorials and free crochet patterns I hope to share the joy and rest that I find in this art. In this space I pray to form a community of like minded woman, who are inspired to live up to their potential as whole people formed in the image of a wise, creative and good God.
-Heather
