Seamless Closing Method

A simple technique to close amigurumi or 3D shapes. Using this technique will make your 3D work look clean and professional!

Many crochet patterns for 3D shapes instruct you to crochet your last round with only invisible decrease stitches, then to sew the hole closed. I have found that this leaves a little "bump" that's visible on the outside of the shape. Using the Seamless Closing Method allows me to blend the last round into my work, making it look like all the other stitches and not a balloon knot that was pinched closed.

I'll use a crochet sphere as an example for the technique. For a crochet sphere, you typically increase by a factor of 6, crochet some middle rounds of only single crochet stitches, then you decrease by a factor of 6 - ending with a round of 6 decreases. Instead of decreasing 6 times in the last round, make a round of 12 single crochet stitches. Finish stuffing your shape like normal, then follow these steps:

1. Fasten off yarn, leave a 6-inch tail.

2. Remove hook, pull yarn tail through loop & thread a Darning needle.

3. Insert the threaded needle into the FRONT LOOP ONLY (FLO) of the 1st stitch of the last round.

4. In the next stitches, alternate the direction of insertion.*

*Meaning, if you inserted the hook into the FLO of the first stitch coming from the bottom, insert needle into the next FLO coming from the top... and so on.

5. Continue alternating through FLO of all 12 stitches. You're making a drawstring.

6. At the end, pull drawstring tight to close.*

*Make sure you're all done stuffing.

7. Use needle to sew in yarn tail to hide it.

And you're done! This technique takes about the same time as the alternate method - you still have to thread a needle and sew in your yarn tail. You're just taking a moment to make that drawstring, and it's totally worth it.

In my experience, this method works for any number of stitches in the last round when I close up a 3D shape. It works with 4 stitches in the last round... 8, 12, and even 16.

If you'd like to see a video of this method, check out my Seamless Closing Method video on YouTube. I hope this tutorial was helpful! Subscribe for more the latest posts and reach out if you have any questions!

Happy crafting!