Doily Finish Using Crochet

A method to achieve a smooth invisible join

Knitters ask –

Many knitted doilies instruct one to finish off using crochet, with a single crochet (or double crochet in UK terms) through a group of stitches, then a chain loop, etc. One finishes by doing the final chain stitch loop and slip stitching through the initial single crochet. So, how does one start the crocheting? When I start with a single crochet, the edge of the doily at the beginning of the round ends up either too tight or too loose.

I don't finish the crochet cast off quite as you describe, so I'm not sure if it would make a difference in tightness/looseness of the beginning stitch. This is a method you can use to achieve a smooth invisible join –

1. Do the final chain stitch loop, minus one stitch.
2. Cut end of thread leaving a tail a few inches.
3. Pull thread through last crochet loop, while still keeping the loop at same tension as other loops.
4. Now create the comparable of the last chain stitch connected to your first single crochet as follows: Thread end into as small a tapestry or sewing needle as you can use (so the needle size doesn't distort the stitches you will be sewing through). Insert needle through top of initial single crochet, and bring thread through to back, then back down into last loop of chain. Again maintain tension on this loop to be same as others.
5. Weave in end invisibly as usual on wrong side.

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