Hiding Ends for Good
Almost every crocheter has had a problem with their “hidden” ends coming out to haunt them at one time or another, and we receive a lot of questions regarding how to solve this problem.
The key to avoiding those errant ends is to learn the best way to hide them in the first place, so they will never become loose. And while hiding loose ends can be a rather lengthy discussion, no pun intended, here is a condensed version of some of the best ways to avoid the problem.
First, leave plenty of yarn, around 6-12 inches, before joining or ending so there is a good workable length for hiding. For compact stitches like single crochet, you can leave less yarn. Leave more yarn for loose, open stitches like shells or chain spaces.
Thread the yarn end into a blunt-tipped tapestry needle sized appropriately for the yarn. Next, carefully weave the end through the worked piece, tracing the flow of yarn that forms the stitches. You want the yarn you are hiding to lay alongside the yarn of the stitch you are using to hide it. If color permits, use stitches of more than one row or round, so the end you have hidden will not pull in the same direction as the stitches of the project.
Once the end is sufficiently hidden, pull the remainder of the end gently to create a slight tension and clip it as close to the work as possible. This will allow the end to slip back into the stitches once the tension is released.
For crochet pieces made with slick yarn, such as cotton or rayon, or those that use a thin thread, you may also want to add a little insurance by using a sewing needle and matching color sewing thread to lightly tack the end of the tail to the work. This should be done prior to cutting off the unhidden part of the loose end and always on the wrong side of your work.
The next time you put your heart and soul into a beautiful crocheted piece; don’t gamble by cutting corners on your finishing techniques. Investing the same amount of time and effort into hiding the loose ends as when you did in working the project will guarantee the completed design looks great for years to come!!
The key to avoiding those errant ends is to learn the best way to hide them in the first place, so they will never become loose. And while hiding loose ends can be a rather lengthy discussion, no pun intended, here is a condensed version of some of the best ways to avoid the problem.
First, leave plenty of yarn, around 6-12 inches, before joining or ending so there is a good workable length for hiding. For compact stitches like single crochet, you can leave less yarn. Leave more yarn for loose, open stitches like shells or chain spaces.
Thread the yarn end into a blunt-tipped tapestry needle sized appropriately for the yarn. Next, carefully weave the end through the worked piece, tracing the flow of yarn that forms the stitches. You want the yarn you are hiding to lay alongside the yarn of the stitch you are using to hide it. If color permits, use stitches of more than one row or round, so the end you have hidden will not pull in the same direction as the stitches of the project.
Once the end is sufficiently hidden, pull the remainder of the end gently to create a slight tension and clip it as close to the work as possible. This will allow the end to slip back into the stitches once the tension is released.
For crochet pieces made with slick yarn, such as cotton or rayon, or those that use a thin thread, you may also want to add a little insurance by using a sewing needle and matching color sewing thread to lightly tack the end of the tail to the work. This should be done prior to cutting off the unhidden part of the loose end and always on the wrong side of your work.
The next time you put your heart and soul into a beautiful crocheted piece; don’t gamble by cutting corners on your finishing techniques. Investing the same amount of time and effort into hiding the loose ends as when you did in working the project will guarantee the completed design looks great for years to come!!