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If you’re an absolute beginner when it comes to crochet, learn how to fasten off crochet at the end of your project in this step-by-step tutorial.
Following on with my Crochet Basics tutorial posts, for any brand new crocheters out there this is a simple tutorial on how to fasten off your crochet project.
While there are more advanced ways to fasten off your work such as the invisible finish, this post will show you the most common (and the easiest way!) to finish off your crochet project. You know, that part when you cut the yarn and you don’t want all of your hard work to unravel…
If you’re at this stage of your crochet journey, this is the post for you.
Honestly, fastening off in crochet is super simple.
How to fasten off crochet in 3 steps
The steps you need to take to fasten off your crochet project are:
- Step 1: Cut your yarn.
- Step 2: Fasten off – yarn over, pull yarn tail through the loop on your hook.
- Step 3: Weave in your yarn ends.
I do have more detailed steps and tips for you below on each of these steps, so please do keep reading if you’re brand new to crochet.
Before you cut your yarn to fasten off
The first step to fasten off your crochet project is to cut your yarn. But before you do, there is something you should check.
Before you cut your yarn, make sure you read the crochet pattern you’re using to see if you need to leave a longer yarn tail for sewing or not.
Sometimes when we fasten off amigurumi pieces for example, the yarn tail at the end of our work is used for sewing the Amigurumi pieces together at the end. This is also often the case for garments/crocheted clothing too. So if this is the case, you want to make sure you don’t cut your yarn too close to your crocheted piece.
Even if the crochet pattern you’re using doesn’t need a longer yarn tail for sewing, you will still need a little bit of length in your yarn so you can fasten off and weave in your yarn ends so they are hidden nicely and won’t come undone.
But how much yarn should you leave at the end?
It really does depend on the crochet pattern you’re using, and there is no one answer. However, remember that it is much easier to cut the yarn again, than to try and make the yarn longer by attaching more…
If you don’t need to leave a longer yarn tail for sewing, simply leave approximately 4 inches (approximately 10 cm) of yarn before your cut.
Fastening off your crochet piece
Once your yarn has been cut, you are ready to fasten off.
The basic technique for fastening off is to simply yarn over with your crochet hook, and pull the entire yarn tail through the loop that’s currently on your hook.
This basically creates a little knot at the end of your work so it doesn’t come undone.
Weaving in your yarn ends
No matter what kind of crochet project you’re working on, you will have some yarn ends to weave in.
How this is done varies depending on the type of crochet project you’re working on.
Weaving in yarn ends for amigurumi
If you’re working on an amigurumi (a 3D crochet shape), you will most likely use some of your yarn ends for sewing the amigurumi pieces together.
To hide final yarn tails, simply thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle. Insert the needle into a stitch right next to where your yarn is coming out from. Then pull your needle out through any other stitch away from the stitch you inserted your needle into. Once this is done, pull the yarn tail as tight as you can and cut the yarn tail close to where the yarn tail is coming out from.
Weaving in yarn ends for flat crochet projects
If you’re crocheting a flat piece (i.e. have been crocheting back and forth in rows), you will need to weave your yarn tail into your stitches.
To do this, simply thread your yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and weave the tapestry needle through the middle of your last row of stitches. You don’t need to weave through all of the stitches, just a few. For example I’ve weaved through approximately 5 stitches in the image below.
Be careful not to pull the yarn tail too tightly, as you don’t want to change the shape of your work.
Once you’ve done this, you need to go back the other way to ensure the yarn tail is secured. To do this simply skip one stitch and weave your needle back through the middle of the same stitches going back in the direction of where you started.
For extra security, I also do this for a third time – skip one stitch, go back through a few stitches in the same direction you went the first time around.
At this stage, once my needle is out through the stitches, you then cut the yarn tail as close as possible to the finished crochet piece. This then hides the yarn tail completely within your crochet project.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to weave in your starting yarn tail too. Simply repeat the steps so all yarn tails are completely hidden.
I hope this tutorial helps you finish your crochet projects, and I can’t wait to see your progress!
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x