Sometimes a basic fasten off is all that’s needed to finish a piece. The basic fasten off below isn’t as smooth as the invisible finish, but, depending on how the piece is being sewn on, this doesn’t always matter. I usually do a slip stitch (sl st) into the next stitch then fasten off; the sl st will reduce the height of the fasten off a little, so the last round blends more smoothly into the round below. Picture instructions for a basic “sl st into next stitch and fasten off” are below.
1. When you’ve finished the last stitch in your piece and are ready to “sl st into next stitch and fasten off”…
2. sl st into the next stitch (hook through next stitch, yarn over, pull back through, pull through loop already on hook)
3. Cut the yarn – leaving a tail for sewing
4. Pull the tail all the way out, through the top of the stitch
5. Pull on the tail end to tighten the slip stitch
(If you want an extra secure fasten off, after making the slip stitch, cut the yarn, tighten the slip stitch then yarn over and pull the tail all the way through the loop on the hook, making a small knot)
Little Green Bear 