• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

Colorful, contemporary knit & crochet.

  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Podcast
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Ravelry

Basic Latch Hook Finishing

June 18, 2018 2 Comments

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
One day it happens. You’ve mastered latch hook basics and have created a beautiful tapestry with yarn scraps and lots of love, but how do you take it from a scruffy work-in-progress to a finished, usable rug or wall hanging? Turns out, it’s just a matter of some hand sewing and deciding how you want to display your handmade masterpiece. Today, let’s take a closer look at a basic method for finishing your latch hook projects!

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
This might look familiar. :) Here’s where we left off last week in our latch hook basics tutorial: We planned out our latch hook project, and worked every knot, leaving ourselves about an inch of rug canvas beyond the edge of our work. (The project pictured here is going to be a smaller scale wall hanging when we’re done with it, and if you’re interested in getting a pattern for it, check back in a couple days!)How to: Basic Latch Hook Finishing

Suppies
your nearly finished latch hook with ~1″ of empty rug canvas on all sides
(sturdy) scissors
tapestry needle
yarn or strong thread

Directions

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
Fold your ~1″ of unused rug canvas down at the back of your latch hook project.

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
Thread your tapestry needle with sturdy yarn or thread. (For demonstration’s sake I’m using this bright orange roving so you can see my sewing in these tutorial photos, but I recommend using something strong.) Turn your latch hook project right/shaggy side down. Draw your yarn from back to front, leaving a few inches of a tail as shown. Using a whip stitch, sew around the folded edge of your rug canvas as well as that tail to hold the extra rug canvas down at the back of your work, as well as secure the tail end of your yarn. If you want your tail to be extra secure and/or you’re not totally comfortable with sewing, feel free to use a small knot.

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
Continue whip stitching around the edge of your rug canvas until you reach the far end of your work. Set your tapestry needle down, but feel free to leave it threaded. Next, to reduce bulk at the corner, cut out the small square of rug canvas where your edges overlap (see above).

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
Fold down the next edge of your rug canvas just like you did the first edge. Whip stitch around the folded corner of your latch hook project to secure the corner, and keep whip stitching along the next edge of your project to secure the excess rug canvas at the back of your project once again.

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
When you’ve worked all the way around all sides of your project, break your yarn and finish it with a knot. Sew the tail back through the whip stitching to weave it in. The back of your finished work should look something like this. (If you’re working with a sturdier yarn for your finishing, you’ll have an even crisper look than I was able to accomplish with my orange demo yarn here!)

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.
And here’s what it looks like from the front! No rug canvas sticking around the sides, and all edges are secured. The very final step in latch hook finishing is to give your shaggy yarn a trim to even out any yarn bits that are sticking out in ways you don’t prefer. For the pictured project, I mostly trimmed the excess fuzz from the yellow section (see photo at top of this post) to keep the strands of yarn visible. How much or how little you trim your latch hook projects is up to you!

If you’re loving the latch hook project pictured in this and last weeks’ basics tutorials, tune in Wednesday for the free pattern to get you latch hooking like a pro!

Two classic needlecraft books filled with great, in-depth instructions for making latch hook projects (and more)! The Step-by-Step Needlecraft Encyclopedia by Judy Brittain & the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework
P.S. Looking to learn more about latch hook? These are two classic needlecraft books filled with great, in-depth instructions for making latch hook projects (and more)! I have sworn by these books as references for knit, crochet, embroidery, and so many other things since I was in elementary school: The Step-by-Step Needlecraft Encyclopedia by Judy Brittain & the Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework.

You've mastered latch hook basics, and now it's time to make your project to a finished handmade masterpiece! Learn basic latch hook project finishing with this easy tutorial.

More great resources for latch hook beginners:

  • Latch Hook Basics Tutorial
  • Looking for contemporary latch hook inspiration? Here are 9 Things to Latch Hook
  • Tiered Colorblock Wall Hanging – free latch hook pattern

Filed Under: Yarn Crafts Tagged With: how to latch hook, latch hook, latch hook finishing, latch hook tutorial, rug canvas, wall hanging

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a knitting, crochet and crafts designer. She first learned to knit at age 8 from a grandmother who saw in her a need for something to keep her busy. She's now a full time designer, video host, blogger & teacher. You can keep up with her designs and more by following handsoccupied on your favorite social network.

Previous Post: « Picks of the Week
Next Post: Tiered Colorblock Wall Hanging – Latch Hook Pattern »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • Latch Hook BasicsLatch Hook Basics
  • Latch (Hook) the Rainbow: Tips & Tricks for Intuitive Latch HookingLatch (Hook) the Rainbow: Tips & Tricks for Intuitive Latch Hooking
  • Tiered Colorblock Wall Hanging – Latch Hook PatternTiered Colorblock Wall Hanging – Latch Hook Pattern
  • Picks of the WeekPicks of the Week

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Comments

  1. Linda

    August 4, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    Thank you Heidi Brilliant explanation. I bought a hook at a wool fair ages ago and forgot how to use it . Thank you

    Reply
  2. Lara Massey

    November 3, 2019 at 3:05 am

    Thank you for the very clear explanation and pictures of how to finish a rug or hsngibg. It’s very simple, so I understand that’s why it’s glossed over in most articles, but if you’ve never done it, it can still be hard to visualize. Plus you had the tip of trimming the bulk at the corners. That may have occurred to me, but without someone with experience telling me it worked,I would have been afraid it would have encouraged unraveling or something. So excellent post!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad modeling the Intarsia Mountain afghanHi! I’m Heidi Gustad, a Knit & Crochet Designer obsessed with colorful knitting, crochet & yarn crafts. In this picture, I’m wearing my favorite vintage Norwegian sweater.
❤💛💙

work with heidi

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL

& get 20% off in the shop!

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Ravelry
Stickeryou ad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Yarn craft designer & blogger, partial to primary colors, vintage style, & most needlecrafts. ✂️ 🎙️Co-host, @seriouscrafts podcast.

Heidi Gustad 🧶💛🧵
Instagram post 17896375633420961 Christmas handmade sweater alert! 🎄 Head to the blog (link in bio) today to read about my Christmasy take on the Soldotna Crop sweater pattern by @boylandknitworks, including tips for customizing for fit! 📐 Yes, it’s okay to incorporate shaping in your knitwear, even on a sweater with positive ease. 😉❤️
Instagram post 17907716131385211 Feeling festive this fine weekend with my sidekick Storm. 🐩🎄❄️
Instagram post 18043011205209234 Happy weekend, everyone! There are several new faces today, so to you, I say welcome! 😊 I’m Heidi, the knitting, crochet and yarn crafts designer behind Hands Occupied. I’m based in Chicago, where I work out of a small studio space, the Hands Occupied Studio. Every week I host an open Craft Night and on the last Sunday of the month we have a Crafternoon. They’re all free and open to anyone who wants to hang out and craft with others (snacks are always welcome!). .
.

A little about me: I’m a knit and crochet pattern designer, but I’m really about all things string, from crochet to macramé. Lately I’ve been particularly obsessed with contemporary latch hook and punch needle trends. However, in my recent handmade wardrobe projects I’ve been drawn to everything vintage. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Funny how that works! 😆.
.

In addition to the blog, design work, and the Studio, I co-host the Very @seriouscrafts Podcast, a top 10-ranked crafts podcast heading into our third season in 2020! 🎙 That about covers it - thanks so much for indulging a long caption 🙏🏼 , and I’m so glad to have you here! ☺️❤️💛💙 #handsoccupied #veryseriouscrafts
Instagram post 17855857273660569 Have you downloaded this new charity knitting pattern? The Triangle Rib Baby Hat knits up quick and is perfect to squeeze in between making holiday gifts! Visit the link in bio to get your hands on this free charity knitting pattern for babies to start stitching for a cause. ❤️❤️❤️
Instagram post 17845581628824699 Today on the blog, we’re talking about how to use the @knitcompanion app specifically in garment knitting. With new advanced note-taking features that let you write by hand, directly on your digital pattern page, the newest version of knitCompanion is definitely worth a try! The full review is linked in bio. #ad
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Good to Know

  • New here?
  • Collaborate
  • Policies
  • Press

Looking for something?

knitting-button crochet-button yarn-crafts-button free-button life-button inspiration-button knit-along-button knitting-101-button

Et Cetera



 

My Podcast

Very Serious Crafts - Subscribe Button

needles

Copyright © 2019 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy