Weaving in Your Ends

We all know that when we finish a crochet project we want to show the world the second we put the crochet hook down. Take a second before doing so, to weave in all your ends and make it look perfect. Here are some great tips from Jimmy Beans Wool for just that. Read on for Laura's fabulous ideas!
 

I don't know about you, but when I tie off that last stitch or sew that last seam, I just want to pull the sweater on and run down the street screaming "YES! I made this!". But wait, before you leave the house in something that looks unfinished, take a few minutes to weave in your ends. Each time you start, end, or join another ball you've got ends to weave. How do you weave them without them wanting to unravel immediately? Read on!

1. Cut the end to about 6" long. This will give you enough yarn to work with so it doesn't want to slip out of the eye of the needle, but you won't have to pull a huge length of yarn through each stitch, either.
    
2. Thread the eye of your needle.
    
3. On the inside of your piece (usually the 'wrong' side -- the idea is that you're stitching on the side people can't see!) starting with the stitch closest to the yarn end you're working with, push the needle under three or four stitches going up the rows. The trick here is that you only want to stitch through the top stitches so that it won't show on the public side of your garment. Pull the yarn through so that it is taut, but not tight enough to pucker your piece.
    
4. Move one stitch to the side and slide your needle under three to four more stitches going down the rows (you should now have made a yarn U-turn), pull taut.
    
5. Repeat once more, going up the rows so you should have made an 'S' shape with your stitches. The more times you change directions when weaving in your ends, the less likely your ends will be to unravel with wear.
    
6. Carefully cut the rest of the end off close to your garment. You might have a tiny tail that still sticks out a bit, but over time the fibers will 'felt' into the surrounding stitches.
    

Congratulations on weaving in your ends! Now go show off that great sweater!!

Laura