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Weaving In Ends Securely
Posted on: April 20, 2009
Weaving in ends, while not the most pleasurable of activities, needs to be done. And, it needs to be done well.
The Knot
There are currently many different thoughts about it. “Knot or not?” I think that, many years’ ago, it was acceptable to tie your work tightly and knot it, cutting it close to the knot. I’m not sure when this information first came to me. But, quite possibly, it was after receiving a beautiful crocheted afghan which quickly came undone, even before washing.
It’s quite possible that this practice of knotting and cutting came from a time when most yarns were made of wool. Perhaps it was more likely that the wool would have bound onto itself making a knot stay where a knot should. So, the practice of cutting after the knot was the easiest way to end your work.
However, with non-wool yarns, it doesn’t work, as I quickly discovered when I had to repair this gifted afghan.
Working Over Loose Ends
Many years’ ago, I would crochet over the loose ends. This always worked for me. And, like most crocheters, most of my work was given away. I never knew what happened after I had gifted it. But, I happened to be visiting one of my gifted afghans about 6 months’ later, after several washings. I spent three hours, with a yarn needle, trying my best to get all those ends back in there.
What To Do?
Currently, I use a yarn needle to weave in all ends. When beginning and ending, I always leave about 8″ ends for weaving in later.When I’m ready to weave in the ends, I take the yarn needle and thread the 8″ tail. Carefully, I will hide the yarn about 2 or 2.5″ in one direction (stretch the fabric of the item out a little at this point because the first weaving of yarn will pull it out of shape a little), then back in the other direction, then back a third time. Cut it off close to the work. And, finally, stretch it just a little to make sure the yarn snaps inside.
When possible, I never change skeins in the middle of a row. I find that it’s easier to weave in ends into the trim of my project than into the actual fabric in the center.
What If The Yarn Is Really Slippery?
If you are very concerned about the yarn still coming loose after weaving, try using a small dab of fabric glue after the third weave and right before cutting and stretching a bit to make the glued end snap inside. Try to embed the glue inside the stitches so that there won’t be any noticeable dried glue on the fabric.
What If The Stitches Are Really Far Apart And Lacy?
Try weaving vertically into a stitch instead of horizontally. And, the fabric glue could be used in this instance as well.
Weaving In Ends Securely by Anonymous Crochet is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Stitch diagrams are especially useful in crochet. When crochet instructions are very long, it’s easier to find your place when viewing a “duplicate” of your work in figures instead of written words. Additionally, with the internet, there are many new crochet patterns available from around the world. Since most countries outside the US use stitch diagrams, you can break the barrier of the written language and books from all over the world can be used and enjoyed.
When using a stitch diagram, it is essential to understand the drawn figures. Each stitch diagram will include a Stitch Diagram Key.
Stitch Diagram Key
Each instance of the figures above represents a separate stitch.
Stitch Diagram
Translating The Figures to Crochet
Each drawn figure will be replaced by the stitches in the Stitch Diagram Key.
This Diagram begins at the bottom, with Row 1.
Row 1
Reading the Diagram from left-to-right, the first figures shown are a line of chains. In order to work from this Diagram, you will first need to count the chains and crochet that number. Begin by chaining 27.
Now, reading the Diagram from right-to-left, the Diagram shows that 3 chains are skipped. 4 double crochets are worked. [1 chain is worked and a beginning chain is skipped. A double crochet is worked in the next chain.] All instructions in brackets are repeated twice more. 4 more double crochet are worked. [1 chain is worked and a beginning chain is skipped. A double crochet is worked in the next chain.] All instructions in brackets are repeated twice more. 4 more double crochet are worked. The last double crochet will be in the last chain.
Row 2
Turn and begin reading the Diagram from left-to-right. Chain 3. The Diagram shows that this chain-3 is the first stitch of the row. 3 double crochet are worked into double crochets. [1 chain and skip a double crochet. Double crochet into the chain-1 space.] All instructions in brackets are repeated twice more. Work 4 double crochets into double crochets. [1 chain and skip a double crochet. Double crochet into the chain-1 space.]
All instructions in brackets are repeated twice more. 5 more double crochet are worked to the end.
Continue Working The Diagram
Continue following the Diagram, working the stitches represented by the figures, reading the Diagram from left-to-right and right-to-left on alternating rows.
Color In Diagrams
The Diagram shows Rows 2-11 in blue. This means that Row 1 is the foundation row and Rows 2-11 are repeated throughout for the stitch pattern.
Making A Project
If working something such as a scarf from this Diagram, you will work Row 1. Then you will work Rows 2-11, repeating them consecutively until you reach the length you desire.
Learn to Crochet From a Stitch Diagram by Anonymous Crochet is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
