Finishing Knitting Techniques: Weaving in Ends
Weaving in ends is one of those finishing knitting techniques that doesn’t seem hard. You just weave them into the back of your work so that they don’t show. Well, technically, that’s true.
But sometimes they just insist on being seen! Here are two different ways to weave your ends in so they’ll be invisible and stay that way.
Finishing Knitting Techniques: Weaving in Ends, the Good and the Bad
Weave in ends securely so they do not ravel during use or cleaning. Weave an end in one direction, then go back in the opposite direction for a few stitches to anchor the tail. Sometimes I also like to split the yarn of the stitches being weaved into, for added security.
Weave the ends in so that they are invisible from the right side. For a piece that will be seamed, weave the tails in the seam allowance (the “maybe” example in the photo at left). If there is no seam allowance, weave the tail into the fabric, matching the direction the yarn was coming from or going toward to prevent a hole from forming. Put just enough tension on the yarn tail so that the join can’t be seen on the right side—pulling too tightly will make the fabric pucker. Weave into solid areas, not openwork. Weave diagonally to make the result more invisible. If you are weaving in multiple tails near the same spot, weave them in different directions so the fabric doesn’t become too thick in one place. I like to weave over and under a few stitches pulling the tail snug, then stretching the fabric to allow the tail to achieve the length it will need to maintain elasticity.
For more tips and techniques like these, check out Knit Fix, one of my favorite reference books.
Cheers,
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