Joining New Yarn in Crochet
Starting a New Ball or Skein & Hiding Loose Ends when Crocheting
Joining in a new yarn without making knots and hiding loose ends in crochet are challenges for crocheters. Make items as professionally as possible with these tips.
Starting a new ball or skein in crochet
Once bigger projects are begun, a crocheter will need to start a new ball of yarn or skein of thread into a project. It’s best to do this at the start of a row. This way, it will be easier to hide the tail of the yarn and keep the work looking tidy. Take the new yarn and wrap it around the hook. Draw up a loop and continue crocheting. Leave a six inch tail and tie a loose knot to keep it in place. When the item is completed, untie the knot and weave in the ends. This method can also be used when changing yarn in the middle of a row.
Loose Ends
Whenever a deadline is a factor, don't forget to account for time to sew in the ends. It can sometimes take a long time to finish a piece. When the ends are sewed in, try to make it as invisible as is possibleTake time to make sure that whatever method is used is secure. If the ends won't stay put, then wash the item. Any ends sticking up can usually be clipped if a long enough end was left, and much of it was sewn in.
Tips on Dealing with Loose Ends
- Use long ends of six inches or longer, and sew in as much of them as possible. Little pieces may stick out after washing and if the pieces were cut having only left a small strand; soon there will be little left and it may come apart.
- Don't sew over two strands at once, because it gives a bulky look. If absolutely necessary, then sew over one of the strands and then bring the other one up to the next row or round, and sew over it there.
- Try to sew ends in on the wrong sideof the work.
- Don't pull the work too tightly when weaving or the work may pucker.
- A yarn needle works best to weave in loose ends.
- When working with doilies, a yarn needle will be too big and a sewing needle will damage the work; use a crochet hook.
- Weaving in yarn ends is necessary for neatness and to prolong wear. With the wrong side facing, thread the needle with the end of the yarn. Carefully weave the needle along the back of the stitches about two to three inches on a diagonal, gently pulling the yarn end. Weave the other yarn end in the opposite direction. When finished, gently stretch the fabric in all directions so the fabric doesn’t pull. Trim any excess yarn ends.
Avoid Knots
Avoid making knots. It isn't necessary to knot, as weaving in ends properly (as described above) will make them perfectly secure.Tying a knot doesn't leave enough yarn to fix it if it ever did unravel. Also, any work entered into competition is subject to "knot-scrutiny." If a judge can find any knots at all, the work will lose many points.
Any project will look more professional when these tips are followed. After putting many hours into a project, a crocheter owes it to herself to finish it correctly, and present the work with pride. Learn more crochet techniques.
