Invisible finish crochet technique
Learn how to fasten off your crochet project with an invisible finish in this step-by-step tutorial.
The invisible finish in crochet, otherwise known as the ‘invisible fasten off’, is most commonly used when making amigurumi.
While the invisible fasten off is a crochet finishing technique that isn’t mandatory, it can help the ends/edges of your amigurumi pieces look smoother and consistent.
In particular, this crochet technique is great if you’re crocheting a flat circle, such as crocheted eyes or cheeks, as it will help make these pieces look symmetrical. The last thing you want is a nice pink amigurumi cheek that’s misshapen (which is how mine look if I use a standard fasten off technique).
While, you don’t need to use this technique every time you fasten off an amigurumi piece (I don’t!), other crocheters and amigurumi designers swear by it and wouldn’t dare finish off a piece any other way.
So really, the choice is yours! You can either use it in certain situations (like me), all of the time, or decide you don’t like it and not use it at all. It’s completely up to you and there is no right or wrong. This is a completely optional technique.
In this blog post, you’ll learn what an invisible fasten off is and how to use one for your own crochet projects.
Let’s get started!
What is an invisible finish?
An invisible finish is when you don’t fasten off your crochet project in the traditional way, and instead you connect your last stitch to the beginning of the round, making the piece look more symmetrical. Remember this technique is mainly used when you are crocheting in the round, as opposed to crocheting back and forth in rows. Since this might be a little hard to imagine, take a look at the photo below.
To the left you have a small crocheted circle with a slight bump on the side. This ‘bump’ is where I’ve fastened off the piece using a standard finish - for example; once I’ve finished crocheting the piece, I cut the yarn tail, yarn over, pull the entire yarn tail through the loop on my hook and pull tight to close. In comparison, the picture on the right makes it a lot harder to see where the piece was fastened off. This invisible appearance is all thanks to the invisible finish technique, hence the name.
What you need
Before we get to the Invisible Fasten Off tutorial, you will need the following items:
Your amigurumi piece that has been crocheted in the round
Crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Now you’re ready to give it a try!
Invisible Fasten Off Tutorial
Now that you know what an invisible fasten off is, let’s learn how to finish our crochet project using this technique. Before step one, you’ll need to start by cutting your yarn leaving a longer yarn tail so we can do a little sewing.
Step 1: Pull yarn tail through your last stitch
When you’ve reached the last stitch in your amigurumi piece, start your invisible fasten off by pulling the yarn loop up with your crochet hook. Keep pulling the loop until your yarn tail comes through your last stitch completely. It should now look like a yarn tail rather than a loop.
Step 2: Thread yarn tail into tapestry needle, skip a stitch, and insert needle into next stitch.
Using a tapestry needle, skip a stitch, and insert your needle into the next stitch. Pull the yarn tail through until it roughly matches the length of the front loop of the stitch below it (the one you skipped).
Step 3: Insert your needle into the back loop of your final stitch.
Go back to your final stitch and insert your tapestry needle into the middle of the stitch. Bring your needle out through the back of the stitch so it goes around the back loop of the stitch.
Step 4: Pull yarn tail tight to form the same ‘V’ shape as your other stitches.
Pull the yarn tail tight until the ‘V’ shape created appears to be the same size as the other stitches in your final round. This creates consistency and the invisible appearance of the fasten off.
Step 5: Secure your stitches
Weave in your yarn tail to the back stitches of your piece to secure. However, don’t forget to leave a longer yarn tail if you still need to sew this piece to another crocheted piece for your amigurumi.
Congratulations, you’ve finished the invisible fasten off!
Free crochet patterns that use the invisible fasten off
If you’d like to try the invisible fasten off technique with a pattern or would like to see some more examples of how the invisible fasten off can be used, here is a selection of my free crochet patterns that include this technique.
Casper Cuddles - a free ghost lovey / comforter crochet pattern. The invisible fasten off is used on the ghost head.
Luscious Lemon - a crocheted toy lemon. The invisible finish is used on the leaf.
Gwin the Ghost - an easy ghost hanging decoration free crochet pattern. The invisible finish is used for Gwin’s cheeks.
Cassie the Cow - this small amigurumi egg-shaped cow is fast to make and super cute. The inivisible finish is used for Cassie’s nose piece.
Of course, the invisible finish is never mandatory in these patterns, however practicing is a great way to test whether you like this crochet technique or not.
I hope this invisible finish crochet tutorial has helped you and I’d love to hear what you think! Comment below to let me know what project you’re using this technique for. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
