the ultimate finish for amigurumi
Would you prefer to see the video tutorial demonstrating this method? If not, read on:
I’ve written before about how there are several ways you can finish off a closed piece in amigurumi, and there’s no one ‘best’ method for closing that remaining hole to give the neatest finish. I’d like to officially change my opinion on that point! Here are my previous results:
Since I wrote that post, I’ve been doing more experimenting, and I think I’ve finally found the definitive method to give the best possible finish to a closed piece in amigurumi. It works almost like a Magic Ring (and we all know how good that is!) so that’s why I’ve named this technique the Ultimate Finish for amigurumi:
Where’s the hole? This is the beauty of the Ultimate Finish
(Of course, to get the best finish, you’ll also want to use the Invisible Decrease instead of sc2tog for all your decreases – but that goes without saying, right?)
Ultimate Finish for Amigurumi
The almost-finished stuffed piece, with 6 sc remaining:
Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn end. Draw the end through the final loop on the hook and thread it onto a yarn needle.
You’ll be using the front loops only for the next stage; those are the loops that are furthest from the hole:
Working in the same direction as you crochet (clockwise for right-handers; anticlockwise for left-handers), insert your needle under the front loop of the next stitch, so the needle goes from the centre of the hole to the outside (below, left). Draw the yarn taut.
Move to the next stitch and repeat: insert the hook under the front loop of the stitch, again going from the middle of the hole to the outside (below, right). Draw the yarn taut, but don’t tighten it fully yet.
Repeat for the remaining stitches until you have woven the needle through all 6 stitches, going from the middle to the outside each time (below, left). Now pull the yarn tight (below, right). The hole will close up just like a magic ring! It does leave a small bump on the outside though…
To get rid of the bump, insert the needle through the middle of the ring you’ve created, going into the piece, and bring it out an inch or two away. Pull the yarn tight and the bump at the closed end will disappear, leaving a nice smooth finish.
Finally, snip the end close to the surface, and the cut end will retract back inside the piece.
It’s nothing revolutionary, but weaving through the loops in this way (always going from middle to outside) and then pulling it closed like a magic ring really does give the best finish I’ve found. Give it a go and let me know what you think of my Ultimate Finish!
Loved this tutorial? I have so many more amigurumi tips and tricks to share with you!
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hellbilliegirl78 said
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KiboSanti said
Well I feel like a dummins. I’ve been stitching bottom-up, thinking I was doing this, and wondering why it looked that -teeny tiny- bit off.
Thanks for the refresher!
BRENDA Jones said
June, I must thank you! my invisible decreases were awful, the method I learned first was to yarn over before going thru the second front loop, I had big horrible gaps! Now with your tips and method they are perfect! The only thing I am sad about is that I did not read this tip for the perfect finish before I closed up what would have been my best effort yet!
Ah well, I have book marked your page and will be following your tips from now on!
Thank you again.
Nicole said
Your tutorial was very good, I have been crocheting for 40 years and it was easy for me to understand and I feel like a beginner could understand it as well. Awesome job!
Nancy L Gessner said
This is wonderful! I was making Easter eggs and found the link to this page on the pattern page. It is so easy and makes a great finish! Then I followed the link to your instructions for the ‘Invisible Decrease”. That is wonderful also. No more ‘holes’ that appear when I am decreasing with sc 2 tog! You are the best! I always felt that there had to be a better to way to decrease that wouldn’t leave a large space between stitches. Thanks again!
Tam said
Oh my gosh! This totally worked and my finish is beautiful Thank you so much for sharing this. So stoked right now!
Lindsay said
Thank you so much!! I’ve made so many stuffed animals but the finish always looked so messy, but not anymore!!
June Waterhouse said
Gave up making balls some time ago as never happy with the decreasing and closure but really glad to have found your tips.big soft balls are lovely for little ones to play with indoors.
June
Madhavi said
This is so nice and perfect . I am so very thankful to you and very happy to learn such a fabulous skill . Thank you for taking all the efforts and explaining this so nicely .
Kristine Smith said
I love this technique, especially the invisible decrease. I am making crochet dogs and the pattern calls for lots of decreases. This was leaving lots of gaps into the project where the stuffing was showing through. Not anymore.
T said
I loved so much! Thank you soooooooo much.
Sonia said
Thank for takigng the time and trouble to show with details and precision this lovely method
Wenona Rigali said
Thank you sooo much for taking the time to show this. I’d long ago resigned myself to either stay away from balls or make them not so well. It took one try with the magic ring closure and with the invisible decrease to make a beautiful ball!!! So happy!!
Thank you again!!!!
Celia said
Love this technique! I’m making Olaf for my granddaughter & this worked wonderfully! Thank you so much for sharing!
Vicky said
Thank you so much for sharing! This is a fantastic technique! I also used the invisible decrease. They have made my Easter eggs look so much better! Thanks again!
Julie Dawson said
Fabulous. I’m relatively new to amigurumi and really struggle with a neat close. This worked perfectly. Thank you.