There are many ways to tidy away ends but the way I do it in a starting chain may be new to you. There is also an interesting technique for carrying another yarn (whether a tail or simply another colour to be used later) up through a stitch.

Taken in combination and using a little imagination I find that these methods work well for a lot of different situations and make for well-secured ends without resorting to knots - especially when you change colours. I don't like knots in that situation, not only because they can come undone but because they tend to migrate to the front of the work and - even worse - 'slide' around so you can get a stitch that's half one colour and half the other!

It is the change in direction with your tails that ensures they are locked in and makes them secure. Using these methods it is easy to do that and I've never had them come adrift. By the way, these methods work even more easily when working in rounds rather than rows.

While I was about it and had my Husband holding the video recorder anyway I've shown you how to work in the back ridge to get a much tidier start to your work. Unless I have a special reason (like wanting to work on both sides of the chain when starting, say, the sole of a slipper) I always start flat crochet this way. It has the same 'finish' as the tops of your crochet stitches and is ideal if ever you want to add a border or fringe.

But wait... there's more! I've also included a trick so you don't get the Dreaded Gap at the start of new row. I've showed it using the standard turn-and-start-a-new-row situation but making a 'thick' starting chain like this also works just as well when working in rounds.

Click the in the window below and with a little luck you'll see a video tutorial.