Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yarn artist, everyone can use a few smart shortcuts to make crocheting easier, faster, and more polished. Amanda from Crafters Autonomous shares five of her go-to crochet hacks—practical tricks she uses in almost every project. These aren’t just trendy gimmicks—they solve real crochet problems and elevate your finished pieces.
Here are Amanda’s five crochet hacks that truly work and might just change the way you crochet forever.
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1. Work Into the Back Nub of the Chain for a Clean Edge
When starting a project with a traditional chain, most crocheters work into the top loop or side of the chain, resulting in an uneven bottom edge. Amanda’s first hack fixes this by working into the back nub of each chain stitch.
Why it works:
This method creates an edge that mirrors the top of your work—nice, neat “V” stitches—so both sides of your fabric match beautifully. It’s a tip borrowed from Tunisian crochet but applies perfectly to any crochet project, giving it a clean, professional finish from the very first row.
2. Use Foundation Stitches to Skip the Foundation Chain
If you’ve ever miscounted your starting chains and had to unravel everything, this hack is for you. Instead of starting with a long foundation chain, Amanda uses foundation stitches (like foundation single crochet or foundation double crochet) to build her starting row.
Why it works:
You create the chain and the first row of stitches simultaneously, eliminating guesswork and ensuring flexibility and stretch. This technique also creates a much cleaner and stretchier edge—perfect for garments, hats, and anywhere you want consistent elasticity.
3. Crochet with Multiple Strands of Yarn at Once
This versatile hack is Amanda’s favorite for big, cozy projects or stash-busting creativity. She combines two or more yarn strands together and crochets them as one to achieve bulkier textures without buying chunky yarn.
Why it works:
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Great for scrap blankets, pillows, or chunky rugs.
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You can blend colors for ombre or plaid effects.
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It’s a budget-friendly way to use up leftover yarns.
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Projects work up super fast due to the larger stitches.
Amanda even uses this trick to make sturdy baskets or to clarify stitch placement when working with hard-to-see yarns like Lion Brand’s Homespun. Pairing a fluffy yarn with a standard acrylic strand improves stitch visibility and makes it easier to unravel if needed.
4. Invisible Fastening Off in the Round
You’ve finished a beautiful round project—except for the glaring spot where you fastened off. Amanda’s fourth hack hides the ending so well, you’ll barely find it yourself.
Why it works:
After fastening off, Amanda uses a tapestry needle to mimic the top “V” of a stitch, blending the final loop seamlessly into the round. This creates a smooth, nearly invisible finish—perfect for hats, coasters, amigurumi, or any in-the-round crochet project where visible seams would distract from your handiwork.
5. Replace the Turning Chain with the Alternative Turning Chain
Amanda almost never uses traditional turning chains anymore. Her fifth hack—the Alternative Turning Chain—keeps edges straight and eliminates unsightly gaps.
Why it works:
Instead of chaining two or three at the beginning of a row, you:
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Insert your hook into the first stitch.
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Pull up a loop and complete what’s essentially a modified single crochet.
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Work another loop under the vertical bar of that stitch.
This stacked stitch brings you to the correct height for a double crochet without the sag or bump of a turning chain. It results in even edges that match your other stitches and can be used both in rows and in the round.
Final Thoughts
Amanda’s crochet hacks aren’t just clever—they’re game-changers. From starting with a polished edge to finishing with an invisible join, these techniques enhance both the process and the look of your work. If you haven’t tried these yet, it might be time to level up your crochet game.
Which of Amanda’s hacks was your favorite? Whether you’re simplifying your start, blending colors with multiple strands, or tidying up the final round, there’s something here for every crocheter to love.
Happy crafting from Amanda at Crafters Autonomous!
