How to Invisibly Fasten Off

A fake-stitch finish — also known as the invisible fasten-off in crochet — is a tidy finishing method that makes the end of a piece look smooth and seamless. It really shines on amigurumi where the top edge stays out in the open for everyone to see.

Once you've worked the final stitch of your design, you'll usually notice a little step, or jog, between the end and the beginning of that last stitch on the row. To even this out, we'll use the invisible fasten-off to form a fake "V" that bridges the start and end of the final round.

Step 1. Snip the yarn, leaving yourself a tail of roughly 6–8 inches, and thread it onto a tapestry needle. Guide the needle through the center of the 2nd stitch over from where the yarn tail comes out.

Step 2. Bring the yarn back around and pass the needle from front to back, slipping it right between the loops of the last stitch on the row (the one that's poking out). Ease the yarn through gently until it shapes a small "V" that mirrors the stitches around it. Fine-tune the tension so it settles in and blends naturally.

Step 3. Weave whatever tail is left over to the inside of the piece. Trim the yarn close to the surface so it disappears.

This little technique tucks away the fasten-off point and leaves the edge looking cleaner and more polished.