It’s time to talk about an often-dreaded aspect of knitting and crocheting, an essential yet overlooked task: weaving in yarn ends. It’s a pain, we know! But in our opinion, it’s a necessary step that, when done properly, provides a neat finish and ensures your project won’t unravel.
Whether you’re a novice just getting started or a seasoned pro looking for a new technique, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite methods for weaving in ends on your knitted or crocheted projects.
Knitting:
Method 1: Skimming the Surface
- Thread your tapestry needle with the yarn end.
- Skim the needle along the wrong side of your work, going diagonally through the purl bumps so that the yarn doesn’t show on the other side.
- Repeat this process for a couple of inches, then pull the tail through and go a few inches in another direction
Method 2: Ribbing
- Thread the tail on a tapestry needle and follow one rib vertically. Go through the left (or right) leg of the knit stitches. If your project is not reversible (like the typical cuff of a sleeve), then consider doing this on the wrong side.
- Pull the tail through and weave in the rest of the tail in the opposite direction following the same rib, going through the other legs of the same knit stitches.
Method 3: Duplicate Stitch
Duplicate stitch, also referred to as Swiss darning, earns its name from the way you mirror the path of the existing stitches with the yarn you’re incorporating.
Working from right to left, pull the needle through the bottom of the first stitch you wish to cover (and top of the stitch underneath)
Insert the needle right to left through both loops of the stitch above and pull gently. You will now see the right side of the stitch covered.
Bring the needle down and through the same place as your beginning stitch.
You now have one stitch covered.
These methods aside, if you plan your knitting project properly, you may be able to eliminate the need for weaving in ends entirely.
One technique involves incorporating the cast-on tail into your knitting.
- Using the typical long-tail cast-on method means your tail will be right at the start of your first row or round. Rather than weaving it in later, you can simply take up this tail and knit the first row (or the initial 6-8 stitches) with two yarn strands together.
Another technique is to incorporate the ends as you go. This straightforward technique can be applied in numerous cases, and if you frequently knit stripes, it might just turn into your preferred method.
- Upon adding a new color or yarn, create one knit stitch. Following this, loop the tail once around your active yarn. This step mirrors the creation of a reverse float on the rear side, akin to Fair Isle or stranded knitting.
- Continue this sequence for about 6-8 stitches. Meaning, after each knit stitch, wrap the end around, effectively securing it in place.
Crochet:
Method 1: Crocheting Over the Ends
This method is perfect for multi-colored projects, as it hides your ends as you work.
- Lay your yarn end along the stitches where you’ll be working next.
- As you crochet your next stitch, make sure to crochet over the yarn end.
- Alternatively, you can hold the yarn end and the working yarn together as a double strand and crochet the end in that way, though this will result in a bulkier finish.
- Continue this process until the end is completely covered.
Method 2: Using a Tapestry Needle
This is a classic method that works for any crochet project.
- Thread your yarn end onto a tapestry needle.
- Weave the needle in and out of your stitches on the wrong side of your project.
- Change direction and repeat the process to secure the end.
With some practice, we are sure you’ll be weaving ends with ease and completing your projects with that extra touch of quality. (And if you decide to tie your ends with knots, we promise not to tell on you!)
At Living Dreams Yarn, we’re passionate about providing the highest quality yarns for all your projects. Whether you’re knitting a cozy blanket or crocheting a vibrant scarf, our extensive selection is sure to inspire your next creation. And if you have questions or need advice, our expert team is always here to help.
Happy crafting, yarn enthusiasts!