Crochet · finishing guide
How to fasten off crochet and weave in the ends
To fasten off crochet, cut the yarn about 6 in (15 cm) from the work, yarn over and pull the tail all the way through the loop on your hook, then pull it snug. Then thread the tail on a yarn needle and weave it through the back of several stitches, changing direction at least once, before you trim it.
Fasten off, step by step
- Finish the last stitch. Complete it as normal so one loop is on the hook.
- Cut the yarn. Leave about 6 in (15 cm), or a long tail if you'll sew with it.
- Pull it through. Yarn over with the tail and draw it right through the loop, or pull the loop up until the tail comes through.
- Snug it. Pull the tail gently to close the loop. Patterns write this as FO.
How to weave in the ends
- Use a blunt yarn needle and work on the wrong side.
- In rows: run the tail through the backs of the stitches along one row for about 2 in (5 cm), then turn and come back along the next row.
- Change direction: going back the other way, through a few different stitches, is what stops the tail working loose.
- Split the yarn on the way back (go through the plies of the tail itself) for extra grip on slippery yarn.
- Trim close and stretch the fabric gently so the cut end pulls inside.
Fasten off in the round
For a neat edge on a hat brim, coaster or joined round, use the invisible join instead of a slip stitch: cut the yarn, pull the tail out, then sew it under both loops of the second stitch of the round and back through the last stitch. It's in how to crochet in the round.
Fasten off amigurumi
To close a stuffed piece, fasten off with a tail of about 8 in (20 cm), thread it on a needle and weave it through the front loops of the last round's stitches, then pull tight to close the hole. Push the needle into the toy and out the other side, pull a little, and trim the tail at the surface so the end disappears inside. Watch it in 3D.
Fewer ends to weave
When you join a new yarn or change colors, lay the tails along the top of the next stitches and crochet over them for 5 or 6 stitches. You'll only need to trim them later.
Questions
What does FO mean in crochet?
Fasten off: cut the yarn, pull the tail through the last loop and tighten. Weave in the end afterwards.
How long should the tail be when I fasten off?
About 6 in (15 cm) to weave in. If you'll sew the piece onto something, such as an ear or an arm onto a toy, leave 12 in (30 cm) or what the pattern says.
Do I need to tie a knot when I fasten off?
No. Pulling the tail through the last loop locks it; weaving the end through several stitches in two directions keeps it from coming loose.
Can I weave in ends without a needle?
You can pull the tail through stitches with your crochet hook, but a blunt yarn needle is quicker and weaves more securely.
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