A knitting or crochet project is completed successfully after all the yarn ends are tucked. It is necessary to weave in any yarn ends for two reasons. Firstly, for the neat appearance and secondly for the stitches to not unravel because of a loose end. You can weave in the yarn ends while the project is on the knitting needles or still looped to your crochet hook and even afterwards. Be it small or the large projects, there will always be two yarn ends to weave. While complex patters and those with multiple colors, will have many ends owing to the many yarns used.
There are many ways to weave in ends and in this blog, we’ll take a look at some of them.
1. Use a finishing needle
Like its name the finishing needle, often called a wool needle, is the most appropriate tool to finish a project properly by weaving in yarn ends properly. Finishing needles are available in different sizes and have a large eye that can accommodate the yarn used in your project. It also needs to be narrow enough to fit through the stitches without distorting or splitting them. It is recommended that the needle be smaller than the knitting needle used for your project.
If your yarn ends are on the edge of the WIP, its best if you stitch along the project edge. It is convenient to hide each end, separately, in the seam of a garment. This works, if you are knitting with single-pointed needles or back and forth on circular needles, you can run them along the edge of the knit garment or bury them within a seam.
2. Use a crochet hook
Another way to weave in yarn ends is with a crochet hook. Choose a hook that is the same size, or smaller, than the size of the knitting needle used for the project. On the wrong side of the project, insert the hook through stitches that are close to the ends that will be woven in. Hopefully, the yarn end is at least 2” long so that it’s easy to grab with a hook. Grab the yarn and weave it back through adjacent stitches. If possible, when weaving in an end, mimic the formation of the stitch so that the woven-in stitch lies as flat as possible and there are no bulges visible on the right side.
3. Use a repair hook
Another knitting accessory that assists with weaving in yarn ends is the repair hook. It can easily be used for both correcting knitting mistakes and cleaning up loose ends on a completed project. The repair hook is an ideal design with a crochet-like hook on one end and a pointed tip on the other.
With any of these tools, you can weave in yarn ends. The steps followed depend on the knitting style as well as the yarn used. Wool, lace threads and hybrid acrylics will require a different approach.
Besides these tools, seasoned knitters and crocheters have discovered many ways to cover the yarn ends while knitting or crocheting.
4. Weave in yarn ends while you knit or crochet
If you are working with multiple colors in your project, weaving in yarn ends becomes a task after you have finished the pattern. While working on the stitch, there are ways to weave in the ends both in knitting and crocheting. Use duplicate stitches or similar-looking stitches with the same yarn and finishing needle if the pattern or yarn allows it. This technique works for decorating or adding embellishments to the outside of a finished knitted project.
5. Use the Whip Stitch
If you need to join two pieces of your knitted or crocheted projects, the whip stitch is useful. In fact, it can also help with weaving in yarn ends. This method works only when you intend to join pieces and create a seam
The trick to weave in yarn ends is to observe and understand your knitted or crocheted fabric. When you understand the stitches, you can plan how to weave in yarn ends.
Lantern Moon has a complete collection of yarn tools designed for finishing projects. Discover the full line of accessories for all knitting and crochet needs. Lantern Moon’s handcrafted range is made from premium ebony wood. Each of the knitting needles, finishing needles, crochet hook and repair hook offer a premium knitting experience.