Changing yarn is a common technique in knitting that allows you to introduce new colors or switch to a different type of yarn while working on a project. Whether you’re adding stripes to a sweater or incorporating multiple colors into a blanket, knowing how to change yarn correctly can ensure a seamless and professional-looking finish.
Step 1: Prepare your new yarn
Before you begin the yarn change, make sure to have your new yarn ready. If you’re adding a new color, wind the new yarn into a ball or use a yarn bobbin for easy handling. If you’re switching to a different type of yarn, consider the weight and texture to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 2: Complete the stitch before the yarn change
To change yarn, it’s important to complete the stitch before making the switch. This will prevent loose or unraveling stitches. Knit or purl the stitch as you normally would, ensuring that the yarn is in the correct position and ready for the next step.
Step 3: Introduce the new yarn
Hold the new yarn alongside the working yarn, leaving a tail of the new yarn that is long enough to weave in later. To join the new yarn, simply start knitting or purling with the new yarn, making sure to leave a small loop at the back of the stitch. This will prevent any gaps or loose stitches.
Step 4: Secure the yarn ends
Once you have completed the yarn change, it’s important to secure the yarn ends to prevent them from coming undone. You can do this by weaving the yarn tails into the fabric using a tapestry needle, or by tying a small knot at the back of the work. Make sure that the knots or weaving are not too tight to avoid distorting the shape of your knitted piece.
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to changing yarn while knitting. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts are not perfect – with time and experience, you’ll develop your own technique and achieve beautiful results.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to change yarn seamlessly and confidently, opening up a world of possibilities for your knitting projects.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you begin changing yarn when knitting, it’s important to gather all the necessary materials. Having everything prepared will make the process smoother and more efficient. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Knitting project: Make sure you have a knitting project in progress that requires a yarn change. This could be a scarf, hat, sweater, or any other knitting project of your choice.
- Yarn: Have the new yarn ready that you want to use for the next section of your knitting project. Choose a yarn that complements the current yarn or adds variation to the pattern.
- Scissors: Keep a pair of sharp scissors nearby to cut the old yarn when necessary.
- Tapestry needle: You will need a tapestry needle to weave in the loose ends of the new and old yarns at the end of the knitting project.
- Knot guide (optional): If you prefer using a knot guide to join the old and new yarns together, make sure you have it handy. This is an optional tool that can help create a secure connection between the two yarns.
By gathering these materials beforehand, you’ll be prepared to confidently proceed with changing yarn when knitting. This step ensures that you have everything within reach and ready to go, preventing any unnecessary interruptions during the process.
Step 2: Secure the Old Yarn
Before you can change yarn, it’s important to secure the old yarn to prevent it from unraveling. Here’s how you can do it:
- Finish the last stitch with the old yarn. Make sure you complete the stitch completely before moving on to the next step.
- Take the new yarn and leave a tail that is long enough to weave in later. Hold the tail securely with your non-dominant hand.
- Grasp both the old yarn and the new yarn together, making sure to hold them tightly.
- Knit one or two stitches with both yarns held together. This will help secure the old yarn and prevent it from unraveling.
Note: If you prefer, you can also use a stitch marker to secure the old yarn instead of knitting with both yarns held together.
Once you have secured the old yarn, you can proceed to the next step of changing yarns in your knitting project.
Step 3: Attach the New Yarn
Once you have finished knitting with the old yarn, it’s time to attach the new yarn. Follow these steps to seamlessly transition to the new color:
- Start by leaving a long tail of the new yarn, about 6-8 inches, so you can weave it in later.
- Insert the needle into the next stitch, as if you were going to knit with the old yarn.
- Hold the tail of the new yarn along with the working yarn behind your work, leaving a small loop of the new yarn.
- Knit the stitch with the new yarn, making sure to hold onto the tail of the new yarn and the loop behind your work.
- Tighten the stitch slightly to secure the new yarn in place.
- Continue knitting with the new yarn, making sure to hold onto the tail and loop behind your work as you go.
By holding onto the tail and loop of the new yarn throughout the first few stitches, you create a seamless transition from the old yarn to the new yarn. This technique helps to prevent any loose ends or gaps in your knitting.
Step 4: Weave in the Loose Ends
After changing your yarn, you will have loose ends hanging from your knitting. Weaving in these loose ends is an important step to ensure that your work doesn’t unravel and that it looks neat and finished.
Here’s how to weave in the loose ends:
- Thread the loose end onto a tapestry needle. This needle has a large eye and a blunt tip, making it easy to work with.
- Insert the needle from the wrong side of the fabric, near the loose end. Take care to catch a few strands of the yarn to secure it.
- Weave the needle horizontally and vertically through the stitches, following the same path as the yarn. This will secure the yarn and prevent it from coming loose.
- Continue weaving the needle through the stitches for a few inches. Aim to cover at least 1 inch of the loose end to ensure it is secure.
- Trim the excess yarn close to the fabric, leaving a small tail. Be careful not to cut any of the stitches.
- Repeat the process for any other loose ends you may have from changing yarns.
By weaving in the loose ends, your knitting project will look more polished and professional. It will also be more durable, ensuring that your hard work won’t come undone.
Step 5: Continue Knitting
Once you have successfully changed the yarn, you can continue knitting with the new yarn color or type. Simply insert the right-hand needle into the next stitch as you normally would.
- Hold the working yarn in your right hand and the knitting needle with the stitches in your left hand.
- Insert the right-hand needle from left to right into the next stitch on the left-hand needle.
- Wrap the working yarn around the right-hand needle from back to front, creating a loop.
- Bring the loop through the stitch, sliding the stitch off the left-hand needle.
- Repeat these steps for each stitch in the row.
Continue knitting using the new yarn until your project is completed or until you need to change yarn colors or types again. Make sure to maintain an even tension with the working yarn to ensure a consistent appearance throughout your knitting.
If you encounter any difficulties while knitting with the new yarn, such as the yarn splitting or the stitches becoming too tight, adjust your technique as needed. Practice and experience will help you become more comfortable with changing yarns and knitting with different types or colors.
Step 6: Change Yarns In the Middle of a Row
Changing yarns in the middle of a row can seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. Follow these steps to seamlessly change yarns in the middle of your knitting project:
- Take the new yarn that you want to use and leave a tail that is long enough to weave in later.
- Hold both the old yarn and the new yarn in your right hand, with the old yarn closer to the tip of your needle.
- Using your left hand, bring the new yarn over the top of the old yarn.
- Insert the right needle into the next stitch as if you were going to knit or purl it.
- Wrap the old yarn around the right needle and knit or purl the stitch with the new yarn.
- Continue knitting or purling with the new yarn for the desired number of stitches.
- Once you have completed the desired stitches with the new yarn, drop the old yarn and let it hang loosely.
- Continue knitting or purling with the new yarn until you reach the end of the row.
Changing yarns in the middle of a row can be a great technique to add color and texture to your knitting projects. With practice, you’ll become more comfortable with this technique and be able to seamlessly change yarns without it being obvious in your finished project.
Step 7: Change Yarn Color
Changing yarn color in your knitting can add visual interest and create beautiful patterns. Follow these steps to easily switch from one color to another:
- Begin by knitting the last stitch with the old yarn color.
- Take the new yarn color and hold it alongside the old yarn, leaving a tail of the new color that is long enough to weave in later.
- Make a loop with the new color and place it on the right-hand needle, holding it in place with your finger.
- Knit the next stitch with the new yarn color, making sure to keep tension on both yarns.
- Continue knitting with the new color, leaving the old color hanging loosely on the back of the work. Try to catch the old color with the new color every few stitches to secure it.
- If you are working with a pattern, follow the instructions for when to change colors and how many rows or stitches to knit with each color.
- When you reach the end of the row or section where you want to change colors, cut the old yarn, leaving a tail that is long enough to weave in later.
- To weave in the ends, thread a tapestry needle with the tail of yarn and sew it through the stitches on the wrong side of the work, securing it in place.
By following these steps, you can easily change yarn colors in your knitting and create vibrant and eye-catching designs.
Step 8: Finish Your Project
Once you have completed your knitting project, there are a few final steps to take to finish it off and ensure it is ready to use or display.
1. Bind off: To finish the edge of your project, you will need to bind off. This process involves knitting two stitches, then passing the first stitch over the second stitch and off the needle. Repeat this process until you have one stitch left, then cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch to secure it.
2. Weave in loose ends: If you have any loose ends of yarn from changing colors or joining new yarn, use a tapestry needle to weave them back into the knitting. This will prevent them from unraveling and give your project a neater finish.
3. Block your project: Depending on the type of yarn and project, you may want to block your knitting to give it a more polished look. Blocking involves wetting the project, shaping it, and allowing it to dry in the desired shape. This helps to even out stitches and improve the drape and appearance of the finished item.
4. Give it a final inspection: Before declaring your project complete, take a moment to inspect it for any mistakes or imperfections. Fix any dropped stitches or uneven tension if necessary.
5. Enjoy your finished project: Once your knitting is complete and all finishing touches have been made, it’s time to enjoy your hard work! Whether you’re gifting your project to a friend or using it yourself, take pride in the fact that you have created something unique and handmade.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first few projects don’t turn out exactly as planned. The more you knit, the more your skills will improve.
FAQ:
What is yarn changing?
Yarn changing is the process of substituting one yarn for another in the middle of a knitting project.
Why would I need to change yarn when knitting?
You might need to change yarn when knitting if you want to introduce a different color or texture into your project, or if you run out of yarn and need to join a new skein.
What are the steps to change yarn when knitting?
The steps to change yarn when knitting are: 1. Secure the old yarn and leave a tail. 2. Join the new yarn and leave a tail. 3. Continue knitting with the new yarn.
Should I weave in the ends of the yarn after changing it?
Yes, it’s important to weave in the ends of the old and new yarn to secure them and prevent unraveling.
What are some tips for changing yarn smoothly?
Some tips for changing yarn smoothly include: 1. Join the new yarn at the beginning or end of a row to minimize visibility. 2. Choose a yarn with a similar weight and texture to the old yarn. 3. Take care to weave in the ends neatly.
Can I change yarn in the middle of a row?
Yes, you can change yarn in the middle of a row by simply dropping the old yarn and picking up the new yarn.