I love seeing photos on Instagram of crafty projects in progress, it’s an amazing platform to gather inspiration and even learn new techniques. I often like to ask crafters how they did something in particular if it’s not obvious to me, and because the IG community is so generous, you often get a reply straight away.
I’ve been particularly inspired by the work of @AnnitaBianca, who is prolific crocheter, and makes amazing colourful blankets based on little circle flowers. She has kindly shared the pattern she uses on her blog, and I’ve started on a blanket of my own.
I’ll need to make hundreds of circles before I join them together, I take my crochet every where so it’s been progressing quickly. It’s a great way to use up lots of yarn ends and some thrifted balls of yarn that I picked up recently at my local Salvos Store. The neon yellow yarn was purchased at The Haby Godess, I couldn’t resist adding a pop of fluro.
Another thing I notice a lot on Instagram is crochet projects in progress with lots of little yarn tails hanging out just waiting to be woven in at the end. When I learnt to crochet, mum taught me to always weave the ends in as you go, which saves a ton of work. It’s hardly any extra effort at all, I’ve taken a few pictures to show you how.
When you start a new colour the tail should be tucked along the top of the row you are crocheting over, then you can just crochet right over it, hiding it so you don’t notice it at all.
When you finish a row, your trailing yarn can be woven into the top stitches. Just poke your hook into the top of the stitch next to the last one, and pull your yarn tail through. Repeat on consecutive stitches until all the yarn tail is looped around like a little spiral.
I hope that makes sense and helps you keep your crochet work tidy so you don’t have to spend hours weaving ends in when you finish.
You may also like – How to Crochet a Popcorn Stitch
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I noticed your technique while you worked on the circles at the play center. I am glad you shared the details!
thanks, great tip. i never thought to do it this way 🙂
I love it!! What weight of yarn and what size of hook are you using for this project?
i’m using 8ply wool with a 4mm hook
Thanks for sharing! I love weave in as you go techniques.. Do you know how this holds up in the wash? I’m always scared to use it for blankets..
I only hand wash my knits so I think it’s fine if you are gentle
Hi Cinti!
I am so excited to start this project, but I must confess, I’m very new to crochet! I have made my first round (actually I’ve made a few of them!), but I’m not sure how to join the new colour/second and subsequent layers to the circle. My previous projects have all been a single colour.
I understand what is should look like from your pictures for weaving in the ends (so helpful!!), but I was wondering if you could explain the join in a bit more detail? Sorry for such a basic question!
Thanks
Alicia
When you start the next colour you need to chain 3 to start and that substitutes one treble. Have a look on you tube, for granny square, some excellent videos on there that should help 🙂
My book says “weave in as work progresses” is that the same thing or is it a diffferent approach on weaving?
Yes I think it’s the same thing.
I think (I started crocheting 40 years ago, so my memory is perhaps unclear) I have always hidden the beginning of a new color in the way you suggest, but it never occurred to me to hide the end in this way. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’d better start the next round on a stitch without a additional thread weave to avoid weaving the end of the old color and the beginning of the new in the same stitches, which might make a more bulky part of the round ? (I hope my English is understandable, especially in that last sentence !)
Thank you for the tips, I have just recently started to crochet again after a thumb operation since I need less strength but as much dexterity with crochet than with my usual embroidery.
Hi Anna, yes I probably do start on a different stitch to avoid bulk where I can. I haven’t thought about it, maybe I do it out of instinct. I understand you perfectly.
I hope your hand heals up well.