Neatest way to finish off hand-knits?

[Flossyfloof]

I am a pretty experienced knitter and fancy trying to sell some of my stuff. However, I am always a bit disappointed when weaving in loose ends - they tend to look bulky, I think. is there a way that I don't know of, that does the job more smoothly? I weave them in along the seam as a rule. I have tried knitting them in but I always think that makes a thick section in the row and so it is equally unsatisfactory!
TIA!

Is this where you've joined the wool when the ball has run out and you need to start another?
I have always found that if I always join the new ball at the start of a row it looks neat if I just run the end up the sewn seam. If you always start a row with a slip stitch it is easier to join the two edges together as you have a defined edge of 'loops'. I tend to leave a good length on each loose end and I only knot the two ends together when I've gone past the 'join' point, or when I'm sewing pieces together so it doesn't create a 'lump' at any point. Those ends can also be useful in stitching the seams rather than using a new length of yarn.
If its not that and is to do with changing colours mid way across a row, I think all you can do is weave across or knit in, but as you say, neither is very satisfactory unless you've woven/knitted the yarn in to get to the point where it is required, then it maybe looks intentional.

Hello! Yes, I mean joining in new yarn which I do at the end of a row. I have an aversion to slipping the first stitch, no idea why - I will start trying it I think. I usually cast on using my thumb and leave plenty of wool for sewing. Perhaps I am being over-sensitive! Thanks, HG!

There is an excellent article in this month's The Knitter No 43, with a follow up next month. If you cannot get hold of a copy PM me and I will scan it for you when I am back in the office next week :)

For sewing in ends, I use this technique, I find it virtually invisible. In fact I have struggled to find ends when I find I've made a mistake and need to undo some work.

When starting a new ball I do it mid-row if it's simple, but at the end if it's a complicated pattern. I've heard of slipping the first stitch but never done it.

Oh I like that way of weaving in. Have put it in my favourites.