How do you fasten off the end of a crochet work?

Question

Help!!! I am so new to this. I do not understand how to fasten off the end of a project and keep it sturdy. Thanks!

Answer 1

At the end of the work you have one loop left. Pull the loop till it is at least 5 cm or 2" long, longer is good too.
Cut it in the middle and pull the yarn from the ball out.
You now have one bit of yarn left, pull on it so the last stitch is tight. You can weave that yarn in. Put it in a big needle and work it in your work, trying to make it show as little as possible. But even without weaving it in it should be sturdy enough, so do not worry if your weaving in is not very good yet.

Answer 2

To end your work, create an extra chain. Cut your yarn leaving a 6" tail. Yarn over again with this shortened bit and pull through the loop on your hook; keep pulling the loop larger and larger until the tail "pops" through the chain. You can now tug gently on the tail to tighten.

The next step is to hide the tail within the stitches. For this you will want to use a tapestry needle, not a sewing needle. Why? Because using a sewing needle is like sending a pair of scissors through your work, damaging the fiber. A tapestry needle has a blunt nose to protect the fiber.

Once you have your tapestry needle you're going to weave the tail into the work -- the more directions you weave it, the more secure your work will be. If you weave it in a straight line, through the normal tugging of the item, the tail will pop out, and usually the owner will snip the end off. When the tail pops out again, the owner will snip again, and again, until all that's left is a little bit, and through the normal tugging it will undo your little "knot" you created (the chain/cut/pull through process already mentioned). Then the owner will bring you the item to repair. So, save yourself some future repair work by ensuring you weave the ending tail in MANY directions. You'll want to do this with your beginnig tail too. Try to weave in as much as possible -- at least 3" - 5" worth.

I hope this helps,
~Dee Stanziano
CYCA Certified Crochet Teacher

Answer 3

You have one loop on the hook and a strand trailing away.
Trim the strand to about 6" and use the hook to pull it completely through the final loop.
Find a needle large enough for your strand. A sharp-point is better than a dull one for this step. Thread the needle.
Work the end back into the 2-3 previous stitches, not over and under, but *through*. Then turn about and work back again, not exactly as before, but going *through* the strand you'd just stitched at least once. Repeat once more. It's now double-locked into position. Trim close.

It's much easier to do the "piercing" that locks things into position with a sharp needle than with a dull one. Dull ones are, of course, still preferred for seaming.

Answer 4

I have photos on this page
http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/ends.htm

Basics - never tie a knot and cut at the knot.
Always leave a longish tail to weave in,
Best - weave in one direction, go up or down a row, and weave in opposite direction