But if you're working a hexagon motif afghan, consisting of 50 motifs or partial motifs, weaving in your starting end can take hours. (Specifically, four hours, after I thought I was completely DONE with that ginormous coral monstrosity that my mama really did love for Christmas two years ago. Love you, mom!) Anyway, after that Nightmare Before Christmas, I decided that there HAD to be a better way. I was NOT going to do that again!
After several (again, four) hours of Pinterest research, I discovered that most tutorials about weaving in ends recommend securing the yarn both forward and back to ensure it stays put. However, the only crochet hacks involve working over your ends in one direction- and that still requires leaving a short tail and sewing it back.
Folks, I don't have time for that nonsense! By the time I actually sit down and finish a project, I've made myself into a giant mom-target for baby jump jumps. At best, I have one minute to snip ends before the critters descend upon me and forcibly snuggle me, ready or not. (I've lost more stitch markers that way...)
SO, friends, here is the busy mom's yarn hack for securely weaving in ends.
For demonstration, I've carried the yarn tail up a few rows of stitches. You could just as easily work this in your foundation row or in the first round of a circular pattern.
We start by crocheting over one thickness of the tail for two or three stitches. This gives you a little bit of cushion so the end doesn't hang off the side of the work.
Next, loop the end of the tail back, and begin working over two thicknesses of yarn. Pull these stitches just a smidge tighter if gauge is important to your work- it doesn't make a huge impact on the height of the row, but it does make a small difference.
Work over both ends until a small loop remains. Sneak your hook into the next stitch and right through that loop.
Finally, work into only one end of the loop for the last two or three stitches. This will anchor the midpoint of the tail, just as if you'd meticulously sewn back and forth with your yarn needle. Nobody will be the wiser.
Cut that yucky end out of your life! You don't need him any more!
So that gives you the idea. You could just as easily apply this to any situation you need to weave in your ends. I always use this technique in the beginning of my hats and scarves, but you could apply it wherever you like: color changes, attaching a new ball, your own amusement, you name it!
So what're you going to do with all your extra time? I'll be anxiously looking at Ravelry for new patterns, and scanning my inbox waiting for the next installment of #melodysmakingsmcal! The project is coming along nicely, although I STILL haven't figured out what it is!
