How to End Off in Crochet (Step-By-Step, With Pictures)

Also Known as “Fasten Off,” “Finish Off,” or “Tie Off”

In just about every crochet pattern, you’ll find instructions to “end off,” “fasten off,” “tie off,” or “finish off.” Wondering what this means? Want to know how to do it? If so, this is the tutorial for you.

Definition of “End Off”: “Ending off” is a process you need to do after finishing a crochet project in order to keep it from unraveling.

When you crochet, you typically have at least one active loop on your crochet hook until you end off.

Your active loop is the point from which you can either end off, crochet more stitches and continue working on the project, or unravel the project.

Why Do You Need to End Off?If you were to just stop crocheting without ending off, your crochet project would be susceptible to unraveling.

How to End Off in Crochet:

In the following instructions, I will show you how I usually end off my crochet projects. I know of at least one other way to do this, which I will also discuss, so you have that knowledge in case you want to use it.

Let’s start with a small crocheted flower motif that is finished except for the ending off process.

An unfinished crochet flower motif, which I'm using to demonstrate the process of how to end off. — An unfinished crochet flower motif, which I’m using to demonstrate the process of how to end off.

Side view of the crochet flower motif. Notice the active loop.

How to End Off in Crochet: Free Tutorial

Put your active loop back on your crochet hook.

Pull the active loop through to the back of the work. One loop will be left on your crochet hook.

With the back of the work facing you, wrap the cut end of the yarn around your crochet hook... — With the back of the work facing you, wrap the cut end of the yarn around your crochet hook…

...and grab it with your crochet hook to pull it all the way through. Then give it a good tug to pull it tight. You've now successfully ended your project off. The next step is to weave in your loose ends. — …and grab it with your crochet hook to pull it all the way through. Then give it a good tug to pull it tight. You’ve now successfully ended your project off. The next step is to weave in your loose ends.

A Quicker Way to End Off

There’s a faster way to end off than the one pictured above. You don’t have to pull your active loop through to the back of the work; skipping that step does speed things up a bit.

However, I like ending off on the back of the work, because the ended-off part is usually going to be less visible on the back.

So there you have it. Now you can end off all your crochet projects like a pro. Happy crocheting…

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Posted By: Amy Solovay

Page last updated on 6-17-2021. Thanks for visiting!