Mastering the Crochet Finish: Essential Tips and Techniques

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Simple Way to End a Round of Crochet
   1. Slip Stitch and Chain Stitch
   2. Finishing off the Tail
3. A More Fancy Way to End a Round of Crochet
   1. Invisible Join
   2. Needle Join
4. Working Away the Yarn Tails
   1. Switch Back Maneuver
5. Conclusion

Article

Introduction

Crocheting in the round can be a fun and creative way to make various projects, whether it's a blanket, a hat, or a stuffed animal. However, knowing how to properly end a round and finish off your yarn tail is essential to ensure that your project doesn't unravel later on. In this article, we'll explore two methods - the simple way and the more fancy way - to end a round of crochet, as well as how to work away your yarn tails for a secure finish.

Simple Way to End a Round of Crochet

Slip Stitch and Chain Stitch

When you're finished with a round and want to change to a different color or simply complete your project, the simple way to end the round is by making a slip stitch and a chain stitch. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Insert your hook under both loops of the first stitch.
2. Yarn over and pull through the first stitch, creating a slip stitch.
3. Cut your yarn and pull it through the loop on the hook to make a chain stitch.
4. Snug the chain stitch to create a secure knot.
5. Congratulations! You have successfully ended the round using the simple way.

Finishing off the Tail

To ensure that your tail doesn't come undone later on, it's important to work away the yarn tail. Here's a cool switch back maneuver to do just that:

1. Thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle.
2. Insert the needle underneath a bunch of stitches on the backside of your work, aiming to get underneath stitches of the same color if possible.
3. Gently pull the needle through, making sure not to pull too tight to avoid distorting the yarn on the front.
4. Repeat the previous step, going in the same direction along the backside of your work to secure the tail further.
5. To prevent the tail from coming undone, do a switch back maneuver. Skip the last bit that's holding the yarn tail down, then go back in the opposite direction, running the needle underneath as many stitches as possible.
6. Give the yarn a gentle tug to ensure it's not too tight.
7. Congratulations! Your tail is now securely worked away.

A More Fancy Way to End a Round of Crochet

Invisible Join

If you want a more professional and seamless finish to your crochet rounds, you can use the invisible join technique, also known as a needle join. This method eliminates the visible knot created by the chain stitch in the simple way. Here's how you do it:

1. After finishing your last stitch of the round, cut your yarn and pull the tail through.
2. Thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle.
3. Insert the needle into the second stitch of the round, going from front to back under both loops.
4. Pull the needle through to the back side.
5. To complete the invisible join, insert the needle between the front and back loops of the last stitch.
6. Angle the needle towards the back of your work and pull it through.
7. Now, when you look at the top of your work, it will appear seamless, as if there is no join at all.

Needle Join

The needle join is another method you can use to end a round of crochet without leaving a visible knot. This technique is similar to the invisible join but involves a different insertion point for the needle. Here's how to do a needle join:

1. After completing the last stitch of the round, cut your yarn and pull the tail through.
2. Thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle.
3. Insert the needle into the first stitch of the round, mimicking the V shape at the top of the stitch.
4. Pull the needle through to the back side.
5. Insert the needle between the front and back loops of the last stitch, near the spot where the yarn tail is coming out.
6. Angle the needle towards the back of your work and pull it through.
7. The needle join creates a seamless finish just like the invisible join, giving your crochet work a professional look.

Working Away the Yarn Tails

Once you've ended your round using either the simple way or the more fancy way, it's essential to work away the yarn tails to ensure they don't come undone later on. Here's how you can do it effectively:

Switch Back Maneuver

1. After completing the join, run your yarn needle along the backside of your work, passing it underneath a bunch of stitches.
2. Aim to get underneath stitches of the same color if possible, as it helps with securing the tail.
3. Gently pull the needle through, making sure not to tighten the tail too much.
4. Repeat this process in the same direction, running the needle underneath as many stitches as you can to create a secure hold.
5. To make the tail even more secure, do a switch back maneuver. Move just to the right of the last spot holding the tail down and go back in the opposite direction, running the needle under stitches once again.
6. Ensure that the tail is not too tight by giving it a gentle tug.
7. You can repeat the switch back maneuver once more for added security if desired.

Conclusion

Ending a round of crochet and properly finishing off your yarn tail is vital to maintain the integrity of your project. Whether you opt for the simple way or the more fancy way, it's important to take the time to work away your tails using the switch back maneuver. By following these techniques, you'll have beautifully finished rounds with no loose ends to worry about.

Highlights

• Learn two methods to end a round of crochet: the simple way and the more fancy way
• The simple way involves a slip stitch and a chain stitch to create a secure finish
• The more fancy way includes the invisible join or the needle join technique for a seamless appearance
• Work away the yarn tails using the switch back maneuver to prevent them from coming undone
• Ensure a professional and polished finish to your crochet projects

FAQ

Q: Can I use the simple way to end a round if I want a more professional finish? A: While the simple way is effective in securing the round, the resulting chain stitch can create a visible knot. If you want a more professional appearance, it's recommended to use the invisible join or needle join technique.

Q: Will the switch back maneuver prevent my yarn tails from coming undone? A: Yes, the switch back maneuver provides additional security by running the yarn needle under stitches in multiple directions. This helps anchor the yarn tails and prevent them from unraveling.