Monday, April 9, 2018

How to Weave and Secure Yarn Tails

This is a question that gets asked a lot in the crochet community: "How do I keep my tail weaved in, so my project doesn't fall apart?"
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/223983781453182595/

There are likely many methods people use, but the method I'm going to show you is what I have used over a decade and I have yet to have a project fall apart (even after multiple washes)!

This post contains affiliate links
For the purposes of this tutorial, I have used a small swatch and finished it by using a contrasting color, so that the tail will be easier to see.



When you come to the end of your project, fasten off as normal, but leave a long tail. I suggest a tail length of 8"[20cm] for small projects like hats or slippers and 12"[30.5cm] for larger projects like sweaters or afghans. Truthfully, the longer the tail, the harder it is for it to come undone.

Thread your tail onto a tapestry needle. Make sure you're using the smallest needle you can, while still being able to to easily get your yarn into the eye.
www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

Next, working on the wrong side of your project, insert your needle between the back loop and front loop of the last stitch you created and start weaving your tail by going down through the center of the stitch. Continue going down the center of the stitches for the next several rows (I do about 5 rows for small projects, and around 10 for larger projects).
www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

Working the side to side, go through the base of the next several stitches (5-10), then head back toward the beginning of the row, making sure you are working in the exact same spaces, and breaking through your yarn tail.
www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

Once you're back to the beginning, continue upward, and weave your yarn through the same spaces as you started in, making sure to break through the yarn tail. Work halfway back to the top.

Not shown: cut the yarn tail as close to the project as you can. Give the project a little "tug", so the tail slips inside.
www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

Also, if you wet your project after you've finished weaving the end, you help "mat" the yarn together, and further seal the tail. This will actually hold up through washes as well.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/223983781453182595/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/223983781453182595/

There are products on the market, for clear fabric glues, that are also washable. You can dab a teeny dot of that where you clipped the yarn if you want.



Here's a video tutorial for a better explanation of this weaving method (I apologize that it's upside down LOL)



I hope you find this useful! I know it seems like it takes more effort, but it's definitely worth it after all the time it took you to create the project.

Thanks for stopping by!

Come on over and join the Blackstone Designs Crochet Community for to share your finished projects and so much more!

Don't forget to Pin this tutorial!

www.facebook.com/sblackstonedesigns

Written instructions and photographs © 2018 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Please do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. 

Sonya Blackstone is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.



4 comments:

  1. YES! I like this! It is well worth the time!!! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you find it helpful! It is definitely worth the extra couple of minutes!!

      Delete
  2. Thank you that is very helpful. I learned (?)to crochet when I was young but not very accurately so I need all the help I can get😳

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Every new tip and trick is great for all of us!

      Delete