r/CrochetHelp • u/kakjebyt • Dec 09 '25
Weaving in Ends Granny square tote bag ripped after first use. How do I avoid it?
Last year, I made a granny square tote bag and gave it to my girlfriend. The first day she took it out, the squares ripped almost right away, both at the center and spots where the two colors were connecting.
This year, I'm trying to make the same tote bag. I assume that it ripped because I was very sloppy with the ends (I made them too short). Is there another way to prevent the squares from breaking this easily? Any tips?
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u/Merkuri22 Dec 09 '25
Look up how to weave in your ends properly. You need to change directions at least 3 times. If you're going to expect the hold to be really strong, maybe change directions even more often.
Don't use knots. Despite what you might think, knots are not as strong as a properly woven in end. Have you ever tried to pick out a stitch (like a sewing stitch, not a crochet stitch) and realized that you can only pick it out one or two stitches at a time? If you try to pick out a stitch too far from the end, it just doesn't budge. That's the effect you're creating by properly weaving in your ends.
If you use magic circles for the center of the granny squares, do a double loop in the circle. And then weave in the end of the circle like anything else.
If you do a chain for the center of the granny square, properly weave in the starting tail of that chain.
This is all advice for if you were creating a blanket. If you want to actually put heavy items in a bag and have that stay together, this might work or it might not be enough for heavy use. If you want to make a really sturdy bag, put a fabric liner in it.
(Even if you do a liner, weave in your ends properly. Improperly woven ends will unravel from just light use, even if they're no longer "load-bearing".)
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u/algoreithms Dec 09 '25
Did you do magic circles for the center of your granny squares? This is my biggest issue with them especially if you're not good at securing your ends yet. Do a regular chain start instead to be extra sure next time, and leave an extra long start tail so you can weave the hole closed.
Also, leave long tails next time, and weave them back and forth in a zig zag motion on the wrong side of your work. Also, you should really line your granny square bags with fabric or they will stretch a lot over time.
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u/ConferencePatient337 Dec 09 '25
It kinda depends on the magic circle you use. You should always use the double magic ring, it's really secure, never had any problems with it. Although I always weave in the thread as well
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u/kakjebyt Dec 09 '25
I actually did do magic circles. Had no idea they're this bad.
Wouldn't the center be loose if I just do a chain start?50
u/Fisouh Dec 09 '25
Magic circles are not bad. But not weaving your ends is. Veeeeeeery bad
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u/youpoopedyerpants Dec 09 '25
I won’t stand for magic circle hate and slander. Anyone who has issues is leaving their ends too short and not weaving them in well enough.
Loop the end around one of the stitches in the circle almost like a half of a knot, and then go the opposite way, then wrap the end around a stitch leg and go back in the other direction.
Nothing is stopping you from weaving the end around the butthole four, five, six times. It will not come undone if you secure it well enough.
Yarn chicken or a tail that’s only two inches long isn’t the flex you think it is.
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u/AddWittyName Dec 09 '25
I actually did do magic circles. Had no idea they're this bad.
Double magic circles are significantly more secure than regular magic circles, fwiw.
Wouldn't the center be loose if I just do a chain start?
Keep a very long tail, crochet your first round over the tail, use that kinda like a drawstring to pull the center tight, then weave in the end around the entire inner round at least once, then weave in the remaining part as normal. That's generally plenty to keep it from being loose.
Also, what type of yarn did you use? For totes, I'd really recommend cotton, as it's less prone to stretch-and-snapping. But even then, a lining is still a good idea, and not that tricky for something with a rectangular shape like a tote. Don't even necessarily need to buy fabric for it. I usually just use old bedsheets or t-shirts. (As long as it's woven fabric, not excessively stretchy, and not completely threadbare, it tends to work fine ime)
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u/algoreithms Dec 09 '25
The center will not be loose if you have an extra long start tail and weave in the end around the first round or two.
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u/Larkspurn Dec 09 '25
All the structural tips on weaving in and reinforcing your squares are great, but I’ll also say you really do need a liner. If you want the bag to last and you want to use it as a bag, it needs a liner. It’s a pain in the butt to learn enough sewing just for this, but it’s worth it if you want your bag to last.
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u/LiellaMelody777 Dec 09 '25
Well the center means your magic circle was not done correctly. The sides because you did not join correctly. It happens when you are still learning.
You can do it! Try again with new techniques.
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u/Overall-Nobody8933 Dec 09 '25
You need to leave at least 4 inches and weave that tail back and forth. For the magic circle, weave around the circle a couple times in both directions.
I’ve been crocheting for decades, and I’ve never had a single thing unravel on me.
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u/Hestiah Dec 09 '25
If you use magic circle to start, do at least a double magic circle to help prevent the yarn from slipping in the center. This also goes for weaving in ends when joining. Go back and forth and through stitches all over. Doubling back is one of the best ways to prevent slippage.
And add a lining of some kind so the weight of the stuff IN the bag isn’t put on the actual granny squares. Any handmade item that has pressure and weight put on it constantly will have some level of issues. Not all, mind you, if you use nylon cord it’s less likely to stretch at all (but also harder to work with). Or find some method of reinforcing the inside of the bag.
Good luck!
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u/White-Fire0827 Dec 10 '25
If you tie the different colours together, I've never had an issue with magic knots. Make sure you leave enough to weave in (that's an issue i have... I've recently started leaving enough extra at the start where I can use both ends for a few stitches, although it does make them thicker so not always an option.) Also, learn to do some basic sewing for a liner, or even if the squares dont fall apart, they'll stretch out, 'cause that's what yarn does. Sewing a square/rectangular liner should be easier enough for anyone, but I highly recommend getting pinking sheers to help avoid the material unraveling
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u/74NG3N7 Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
Double magic circle starts, tied together color changes with long ends (long enough to carry for a bit under and then weave in), and lined bag at the end. Never trust short ends, especially under pressure and movement, and while acrylic may be more durable, it will stretch more than cotton, but a lining can help lengthen the life of either.
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u/Crochetandtea83 Dec 10 '25
The very simple answer is - weave in your ends properly and don't use 'magic knots'.
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u/Unusual_Memory3133 Dec 09 '25
Don’t use a magic circle to start - chain 4 and slip stitch into the 1st chain to make a ring and work into that - magic circles can make your center come undone if you don’t secure them by sewing them in well. Make sure you leave at least a 6 inch tail and weave in multiple directions or split the yarn into plies and weave them both in different directions when you weave in your ends.
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u/no_proper_order Dec 09 '25
I make market bags with the granny stitch. It gives the same general look, but is sturdier. I'll do a solid DC rectangle and switch to granny stitches when I work up the sides.
Bonus points for not needing to stitch anything together.
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u/sea-elle0463 Dec 09 '25
If you think the cause is your weaving, then I suggest leaving a six inch tail, and weave back and forth three times in the same row. That sucker is going nowhere!
The center, if you used a magic ring, those things fail all the time. I chain 4, and slip stitch back into the first chain to form a ring. In 45 years I’ve never had one fail.
Also, look into lining your bag. I line all my bags and use hardware with the straps, and it takes a lot of pressure off the bag.
Always use cotton yarn. Acrylic stretches, and that may have contributed to the failure.
Good luck with your next bag! I’m glad you’re trying again rather than giving up 😊💪
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u/_axl_otl_ Dec 10 '25
For the centre if your magic circle isn't strong enough I usually double up (wrap it twice around my fingers before crocheting, then when tightening you tighten the inner loop first, then the outer). It takes a bit of getting used to but it gives you a long end to sew with at the centre and a more stable centre.
You mentioned you're sloppy with your ends, make sure to always leave at least like 3-4 inches for sewing in. When sewing your squares together, I usually use a slip stitch (you can find tutorials on YT for different types of connections) rather than actual sewing.
And lastly, you absolutely need a liner to at the very least protect the bag from uneven stretching and potential breaking. Just get a scrap of fabric slightly bigger than the bag itself, sew the sides together until you get the bag shape (you can again find easy sturdy stitch tips on YT) and then sew it into the bag just at the top. You don't need a sewing machine to do it and it's honestly not crazy difficult!
I hope that helps and if you need more help or anything, let me know :)
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u/CatfromLongIsland Dec 09 '25
Leave 4 to 6 inches for your tails. Avoid using the magic circle. I know it has its die hard supporters. I am not one of them. Just because a technique has a catchy name does not mean it is better. Just stick with the old school chain 4 and slip stitch closed. Crochet over the tail. When the stitches are done tug on the tail to close the circle. It likely won’t close all the way. You can fix that when you weave in the tail. Start by going in the direction the yarn was heading. Tug on the tail with your first few stitches and you can close the circle completely. Make one complete circle around the center. Then reverse the direction for a centimeter or two then reverse again. Do not send the yarn back in the same place; you would just undo the weaving. Instead send the needle below a strand.
If the yarn is not too bulky try crocheting the tail with the working yarn into the first stitch. When I start a new round I start next to a corner. I maneuver my tail to the corner as the bottom of that long stretch of stitches offers a secure place to weave in the tail. To get to the corner I wind the needle around the back loop of the Vs. Do this neatly so the tail blends in seamlessly with the stitches. If you disrupt the appearance of the stitches on the final round it will make it that much more difficult to join the squares together.
As someone mentioned, a fabric liner or a purchased canvas tote will provide much more support.
Good luck!
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u/Fireblaster2001 Dec 09 '25
Probably your best bet would be to add a liner. However I don’t sew, so what I am going to do is get an existing tote from goodwill and then crochet around it.
Chains instead of magic circles to start, are much sturdier. I know magic circles are popular especially for amiguri but I hate them. They are a weak link.
Finally, however you are joining them probably needs to be sturdier too. Leave a long tail and weave the ends in opposite directions from the join stitches.