3 quick methods to weave in ends in Tunisian crochet

Do you know how to weave in ends in Tunisian crochet projects?

There are different methods for different types of projects and in this tutorial I will show you the 3 methods I use, depending on the project.

We will be exploring weaving in ends along the stitch columns, along the rows, and across fabric in different orientations.

If you prefer to watch this process and follow along with spoken instructions, I also made video tutorials for all the techniques, so check them out below.

Before you start weaving in the ends in Tunisian crochet

You need to prepare your project before you weave in the ends.

I like to weave in right at the end of the project, so I’m sure I will not have to take anything out. Sometimes adjustments need to be made, so it’s better to have the tails out until the end.

I am not a fan of crocheting over your ends and leaving them, so I don’t recommend that you do.

Always leave a tail that’s 15-20 cm or 6-8″ long, so you can go back and forth 3 times over a length of 5 or more cm (2″).

When switching to a new ball of yarn, leave such a tail for both yarns. Weave the ends in the fabric, starting from the join and going in the opposite directions, to prevent a hole from appearing at the join.

When weaving ends, regardless of which method you choose, weave parallel strands, to cover a 1-2 cm wide area, instead of going through the same spot over and over. This will prevent a rough line from appearing in your work.

Flip your work to look at the back or “wrong side” of the work and decide which method you’ll use.

How to weave in ends in Tunisian crochet tutorial 01

Weaving in ends along the stitch columns

This method is suited for compact fabrics, where the back of the work will not be shown. For example, use this method for projects made with the Tunisian simple stitch.

It goes fast, but you need to check the front of the work often while passing the needle through the loops on the back.

Go forwards and backwards 3 times over a length of at least 3-5 cm or 2″ to ensure the ends are woven securely.

How to weave in ends in Tunisian crochet tutorial - choosing to work across the rows, on the back of the work — The needle shows the direction in which you go first, across the rows, on the back of the work.

Pick up loops on the back of the work.

Weaving in ends in Tunisian crochet - going with the tapestry needle through the back bumps of the rows — Pick up loops on the back of the work for 4-5 cm or 2″.

A look at the front of the work to ensure the needle doesn't show through the fabric to the front. — Make sure the needle is not visible on the front of the work or the “right side” of the fabric.

How to weave in ends in Tunisian crochet tutorial 04 — Pull the yarn through. First direction is finished.

Needle showing the direction for weaving in the second time, which is the opposite of the first time and slightly higher. — Move slightly to the side and go through the loops on the back in the opposite direction.

Going with the needle through back loops of several rows. — Ensure again that the needle is not visible from the front. Go for the same 4-5 cm or 2″.

Finished view of ends woven in across the rows. 3 lines are visible through the fabric. — Repeat the process once more in the first direction and cut off the excess tail. Pull on the work to even out the tension.

Weaving in ends along the rows

When you make Tunisian crochet lace, you want to weave the ends in along the rows, to prevent them from being visible on the front.

This method also makes the back of the work look nice, which is important for reversible projects.

You weave the tail in along the back bumps in a single row, keeping the distance of 4-5 cm or 2″.

Weaving in one direction along the back bumps of the first straight row. — Weaving in one direction.

To switch direction, navigate to the next row, then return along the back bumps in that row.

Do not reuse the same row twice, as that will make a bulky return pass chain.

This is what it looks like in practice in lace projects:

Weaving in ends in Tunisian crochet lace example from the Plumaria capelet (view of the wrong side of the fabric). Pink arrow pointing at the end woven in that is visible towards the right of the image. — Weaving in ends in Tunisian crochet lace example from the Plumaria capelet (view of the wrong side of the fabric).

Weaving in ends across the back of the work

Projects with any kind of shaping don’t have straightforward rows and columns that go perpendicularly to each other, so you won’t be able to use the methods described above.

You will need to use a combination of these two methods and to do your best to go in lines that are parallel to each other, even if you have to go diagonally over some rows and columns.

This method is great for weaving ends in projects with scallops, short row shaping or other types of shaping.

In this example, I will weave in the ends in the scallop that forms the cup at the top of the heart.