How To Invisibly Fasten Off

A fake stitch finish or the invisible fasten off in crochet is a neat finishing technique used to make the end of a piece look smooth and seamless. It is especially useful on amigurumi pieces where the top edge will remain visible.

After finishing the last stitch in the design, you will typically see a step between the end and the start of the last stitch on the row. To smooth this out, we will use the invisible fasten-off to create a fake V to bridge the start and end of this last row. 

Step 1. Cut the yarn, leaving around 6-8 inches, and thread a tapestry needle through it. Insert the needle through the center of the 2nd stitch from where the yarn tail.

Step 2. Turn the yarn around and insert the needle from the front to the back, right between the loops of the last stitch on this row (this is the one sticking out). Gently pull the yarn until it forms a small “V” shape that matches the surrounding stitches. Adjust the tension so it blends in naturally.

Step 4. Weave the remaining tail into the inside of the piece. Cut the yarn close to the piece to hide it. 

This technique helps hide the fasten-off point and gives the edge a cleaner, more polished look.