How to Fasten Off in Crochet (and Finish Neatly)
Fastening off locks the last stitch so your work can't unravel. How to fasten off in rows and rounds, the invisible finish for a seamless edge, how long a tail to leave, and how to hide it.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Time
- 5 minutes
You'll need
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
In this post
To fasten off, finish your last stitch, cut the yarn leaving a 6-inch tail, then yarn over and pull the tail all the way through the loop on the hook. Tug the tail to tighten the knot. Weave the tail in with a tapestry needle so it can't work loose. In rounds, an invisible finish replaces the slip-stitch join and makes the last round look seamless.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Fasten off, step by step
- Complete the last stitch (in rounds, join with a sl st if the pattern says so).
- Cut the yarn, leaving a tail: 6 in to weave in, 12–18 in if you'll sew the piece on.
- Yarn over with the tail and pull it through the loop on the hook, all the way.
- Pull the tail gently to tighten.
- Thread the tail on a tapestry needle and weave it through the stitches on the wrong side — see how to weave in ends.
Invisible finish (rounds)
- After the last stitch, don't slip stitch. Cut the yarn and pull it straight up through the last stitch.
- Thread the tail on a needle. Insert it under both loops of the second stitch of the round, front to back.
- Go back down through the back loop of the last stitch.
- Adjust so the new "stitch" matches its neighbours; weave in. More in hiding the join.
Closing amigurumi
When a pattern says "fasten off and close the hole": thread the tail, weave it through the front loop of each of the last stitches, pull tight like a drawstring, then push the needle through the toy and out the other side and trim the tail flush. The decrease sequence brings the hole down to 6 stitches first.
Common questions
How long should the tail be when fastening off?
About 6 inches to weave in, or 12–18 inches if you'll use it to sew pieces together.
What's the difference between fasten off and finish off?
Nothing — they mean the same thing.
Will my crochet unravel if I don't weave in the ends?
It can. The fasten-off knot holds, but tails work loose with use and washing. Always weave them in.
Invisible finish or slip stitch join? ✂️
Stuck on a step? Crochet Help & Fixes answers the most common problems — curling, shrinking, wavy circles and more.
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Crochet patterns & tutorials
YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
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