Introduction to Crochet: Casting/Binding Off

Although I love to both crochet and knit, crocheting still feels less restrictive and more freewheeling to me.  There aren't as many stitches or sticks to keep track of, and mistakes are easier to fix.  Another plus is that casting (or binding) off in crochet is really straightforward, while in knitting there are myriad ways to end your project.

When you come to the last stitch in your final row or round, you'll need a way to secure your fabric so that things don't come unravelled after all your hard work.  I suggest airing on the side of caution and keeping your needle in the final stitch while you cut your working yarn.  Leave a nice, long yarn tail so that you have enough to work with later when you weave in the loose ends: 

Then, all you have to do is to pull straight up with your needle to bring the yarn tail through the loop of your final stitch: 

And shazam! Now your stitches are secure and you have two loose tails of yarn: one where you began your foundation chain, and one where you cast off (these aren't necessarily always going to be on the same side of the fabric- it just depends on the pattern).  The next step is to hide those loose ends by weaving them into the fabric.  You can check out the separate tutorial to see how that's done.

Have fun and happy stitching!

Lots of love,

~Mersydotes