How to secure latch-hooking on a knitted piece?

#1

I’ve just finished my first knitting project, a hat with kitty ears, and I was just wanting a little advice on how I should finish something off on it.

I added some pink yarn onto the ears after it was done using the latch-hook method. I know that is mostly used for making rugs, but it was suggested to me by my mother (who used to knit and crochet a long time ago) as a way of adding the pink instead of knitting a small triangle and stitching it on afterward. I do love how it looks with the yarn latch-hooked on, but the trouble is that I want to make sure the loops of pink yarn don’t get loose and fall out over time, especially if it’s ever washed.

What would be the best way to secure the yarn in place? I started hand-stitching it with a needle and thread from the backside, but I don’t feel like it’s securing it very well. I wonder if it would have been best to just tie the yarn on with actual knots instead of the latch-hook way, and I could take the yarn out and redo it this way, though I would rather not. My mother suggested fabric glue or superglue or something like that, and I don’t mind if it makes the piece stiff as it’s on the ears of the hat and they need to stand up anyway. I just wanted some advice before I ruin the hat I’ve worked so hard to make, especially since it’s a present to someone who means a lot to me.

I have a picture here to show what I’ve done with it. I’m sorry for the bad lighting, but it was the best I could do!

Thank you so much!

#2

Do they seem like they [I]want [/I]to fall out? Latch hook rugs don’t fall apart, I have to wonder if your ears would (great idea, btw.)

If you used wool, I really don’t think I’d worry about it since they will kind of ‘felt’ to each other when the fibers are in contact for a long time.

Even with acrylic, I think they’ll probably stay in place on their own.

If you wash it, do it by hand rather than in a machine; or if you do use the machine, put the hat in a bag.

Worse case, if a piece should fall out, you can just put it back in.:shrug:

#3

The yarn I used is all 100% acrylic.

A few of the strands on the edges have come loose a little bit, but not [B]too[/B] bad.

The only reason I’m worried about it is because this is a gift for someone who lives far away and who is important to me. I can definitely tell him to hand-wash it if he ever does.

Think I shouldn’t do anything at all?

#4

Why don’t you wash it and see what happens? It may help “set” the strands. If not, as your mother suggests, a little Fray-Check here and there may do it.
I also think the yarn will stay in place, especially since it won’t get much wear, sitting up on top of the hat.

#5

If you want to secure them ‘just in case’, whatever you do will help to keep them in, but you don’t need to get wild with it.

Use a little stitching, or a little fabric glue would give you peace of mind.

#6

I decided to continue stitching with needle and thread on the backside. The strands of yarn don’t come loose anymore, not even with any amount of tugging. Those corners will also get sewn shut so they’ll be flat and stick up, so my thread work won’t ever really get disturbed at all.

Thank you everyone for your advice.

When I get it all done I’ll try and take a nice, clear picture of it. I’m so proud of my first knitting project (and that I actually followed through and finished it!), and I really hope the person it’s for loves it. <3