When knitting, it’s inevitable that you’ll eventually run out of yarn and need to join a new skein. Whether you’ve reached the end of your ball of yarn or you want to switch to a different color, knowing how to rejoin yarn seamlessly can make a big difference in the finished look of your project. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of rejoining yarn so that you can continue knitting without any visible transitions.
Step 1: Prepare the ends of the old and new yarn.
Before you can join the new yarn, you’ll need to prepare the ends of both the old and new yarn. To do this, cut the old yarn leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Take the new yarn and also leave a tail of about 6 inches. You can trim the tails later once you are finished knitting.
Step 2: Insert the needle into the next stitch.
Insert your knitting needle into the next stitch as you normally would when knitting. Make sure that you are working on the right side of your project.
Step 3: Hold the ends of the old and new yarn together.
Hold the ends of the old and new yarn together with your non-dominant hand. Make sure that the tails are parallel to each other.
Step 4: Knit the next stitch with both yarns.
With both yarns held together, knit the next stitch with your working yarn. Continue knitting the row as usual, making sure to maintain a consistent tension.
Step 5: Position the tails of the old and new yarn.
As you knit, the tails of the old and new yarn will be secured within the stitches. You can gently tug on the tails to make sure that they are tight and won’t unravel.
Step 6: Trim the excess yarn.
Once you have completed a few rows or stitches with the new yarn, you can trim the excess tails, leaving about 2 inches for added security. Make sure to leave enough length so that the tails won’t come undone during wear or when washing your project.
Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to rejoining yarn while knitting. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts aren’t seamless – with time and experience, you’ll be able to rejoin yarn with ease.
Happy knitting!
Choosing the Right Yarn
Choosing the right yarn is an important step in any knitting project.
When selecting yarn for your project, consider the following factors:
- Fiber Content: Yarns can be made from a variety of fibers, including wool, cotton, acrylic, silk, and more. Each fiber has its own qualities, so choose one that suits your project and personal preferences. Wool yarns are known for their warmth, while cotton yarns are breathable and great for summer projects.
- Weight: Yarns are typically classified by weight, which determines the thickness and drape of the fabric. Common weights include lace, fingering, sport, worsted, and bulky. Choose a weight that matches your pattern and desired finished result.
- Color: Yarns come in a wide range of colors, from solids to variegated and self-striping. Consider the color palette of your project and choose yarns that complement or contrast with each other.
- Texture: Yarns can have different textures, such as smooth, fuzzy, or textured. Consider the texture of the yarn and how it will affect the overall look and feel of your finished project.
When selecting yarn, it can be helpful to visit a local yarn store, where you can see and touch the yarn before making a purchase. You can also read yarn labels, which provide useful information about fiber content, weight, and care instructions.
By taking the time to choose the right yarn for your knitting project, you’ll set yourself up for success and create a beautiful finished piece.
Prepping the Yarn
Before rejoining yarn, it’s important to prepare the yarn for a smooth transition.
- Identify the tails: If you have already cut the yarn, locate both ends of the yarn that need to be rejoined. One end is the tail of the previous section, and the other end is from the new yarn ball.
- Measure the tail: Cut the tail from the new yarn ball, leaving a tail long enough to work with. Typically, a tail that is 6-8 inches long should be sufficient.
- Straighten the yarn: Smooth out any kinks or tangles in both yarn tails. This will prevent any knots or bumps from forming when rejoining the yarn.
- Secure the tails: To keep the tails from getting tangled or lost, you can secure them with a clip or tie them together loosely using a slip knot.
By prepping the yarn before rejoining, you can ensure a seamless transition and avoid any snags or knots in your knitting project.
Locating the Broken Yarn
Before you can rejoin the yarn, you need to locate where it broke. This will help you determine the best method for reattaching the yarn.
If the yarn broke in the middle of your knitting project, look for any loose or unfinished stitches. Gently pull on the surrounding stitches to find where the yarn ends. Make sure to secure the ends of the broken yarn to prevent further unraveling.
If the yarn broke at the beginning of your project, you may need to unravel a few rows to find the broken end. Carefully undo the stitches until you reach the broken yarn. Once you have located the broken end, secure it to prevent any additional unraveling.
If the yarn broke at the end of your project, you can easily locate the broken end. Look for any loose or unfinished stitches at the edge of your work. Once you have found the broken end, secure it to prevent further unraveling.
Remember to take your time when locating the broken yarn to ensure a clean and secure rejoining of the yarn.
Removing the Broken Yarn
When you notice that your yarn has broken while you are knitting, it’s important to take a moment to remove the broken yarn and prepare for rejoining a new piece of yarn. Follow these steps to remove the broken yarn:
- Stop knitting: As soon as you realize that your yarn has broken, stop knitting and set your work aside. This will prevent any further damage or unraveling of your stitches.
- Identify the broken end: Look for the end of the broken yarn and locate where it was originally attached in your knitting. This will help you determine where to rejoin the new yarn later.
- Secure the live stitches: Take a stitch holder or safety pin and insert it through the live stitches on your needle to keep them secure while you remove the broken yarn. This will prevent them from accidentally unraveling.
- Remove the broken yarn: Carefully unravel the broken yarn from your knitting, making sure not to disturb the live stitches on the needle. Gently pull out the broken yarn until it is completely removed from your work.
- Inspect your stitches: Once the broken yarn is removed, take a moment to make sure all your stitches are intact and properly aligned. If you notice any dropped stitches or mistakes, fix them before rejoining the new yarn.
- Prepare for rejoining: With the broken yarn removed and your live stitches secured, you are now ready to rejoin a new piece of yarn. Place the new yarn beside your work, leaving a tail that is long enough to weave in later.
By following these steps, you can easily remove the broken yarn from your knitting and prepare for rejoining a new piece of yarn. Taking the time to properly remove the broken yarn ensures that your stitches remain intact and your finished project looks seamless.
Rejoining with a Knot
If you prefer a quick and easy method to rejoin your yarn, you can use a knot to secure the new yarn to the old. Here’s how:
- First, locate the end of the old yarn and the end of the new yarn.
- Hold the two ends of yarn together with about 6 inches of overlap.
- Tie a basic knot using the two ends, making sure to leave a small loop at the end.
- Insert your needle through the loop of the knot.
- Gently tighten the knot by pulling on both ends of the yarn.
Once the knot is secured, you can continue knitting as usual. However, it’s important to be aware that knots can create bulk in your knitting and be visible in your finished project, especially if you’re using fine yarn. So, this method may not be ideal for all projects.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick and easy | Knots can create bulk in your knitting |
| Requires minimal tools | Knots may be visible in finished project |
| Can be a good option for practice pieces or projects where appearance is not a concern | Not recommended for fine yarn or projects where a seamless look is desired |
Ultimately, the choice of rejoining method is up to you and depends on your preferences and the specific requirements of your knitting project. It’s always a good idea to practice different methods and see what works best for you.
Rejoining with a Russian Join
The Russian join is a technique that allows you to rejoin yarn without any knots or tails. This method is particularly useful when you have a few inches of yarn left and need to attach a new ball of yarn. Here’s how to rejoin with a Russian join:
- Cut the old yarn leaving a few inches of tail.
- Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle.
- With the new ball of yarn, separate the plies.
- Insert the tapestry needle through the center of the plies of the new yarn.
- Pull the needle and tail through until a small loop is formed.
- Insert the needle back through the center of the plies of the old yarn.
- Pull the needle and new yarn through until the loop is snug against the old yarn.
- Insert the needle back through the center of the plies of the new yarn.
- Trim the excess tails close to the join.
- Continue knitting with the new yarn.
The Russian join creates a secure and seamless join that is virtually invisible. It eliminates the need to weave in ends, making it a time-saving method for joining yarn.
Keep in mind that the Russian join works best with plied yarns. If you are working with a single-ply yarn, another joining method may be more suitable.
Rejoining with the Weaving Method
When it’s time to rejoin your yarn, the weaving method is a simple and secure way to continue knitting without any loose ends. This method works especially well for joining yarn in the middle of a row or when changing colors. Here’s how to do it:
- Take the new yarn and leave a tail that is approximately 6 inches long.
- Hold the tail of the new yarn against the back of your work, parallel to the row you are working on.
- Using your working yarn, knit or purl the next stitch as normal, ensuring that you hold the tail of the new yarn securely in place.
- Continue working across the row, weaving the tail of the new yarn along the back of the stitches as you go.
- After a few rows, the tail of the new yarn will be securely woven in and you can trim any excess.
This method creates a neat and invisible join that won’t come undone while you’re knitting. It’s important to make sure the tail of the new yarn is held securely against the back of your work as you continue knitting to ensure a strong join.
Finishing the Join
Once you have joined the new yarn to your knitting, you will need to finish the join to ensure it is secure and will not come undone.
- Weave in the ends: Take the remaining tail of your new yarn and use a yarn needle to weave it into the stitches on the wrong side of the fabric. Weave it in and out of the stitches in a zigzag pattern, being careful not to pull the fabric too tightly. This will help to secure the join and hide the ends of the yarn.
- Trim the excess yarn: Once you have woven in the ends, use scissors to carefully trim any excess yarn, leaving a small tail. Be sure to leave enough yarn so that the join remains secure.
- Check the tension: After finishing the join, check the tension of your knitting to ensure it is consistent with the rest of your project. Make any necessary adjustments by gently stretching or easing the stitches.
If you are using a different type or color of yarn for the join, you may also want to consider blocking your knitting to help even out the tension and create a smooth finish. Blocking involves wetting the knitting, shaping it, and allowing it to dry flat. This can help to blend the new yarn with the existing fabric and create a more seamless transition.
By following these steps, you can successfully rejoin yarn in your knitting and continue working on your project without any interruptions or visible joins.
FAQ:
What do I do if I run out of yarn in the middle of a knitting project?
If you run out of yarn in the middle of a knitting project, you will need to rejoin a new ball of yarn. This step-by-step guide will show you how to do it.
Is it better to join the new yarn at the beginning or end of a row?
It is generally better to join the new yarn at the beginning of a row, as it will make the join less noticeable. However, if joining at the end of a row works better for your specific pattern, you can do that as well.
What is the best way to secure the new yarn when rejoining?
The best way to secure the new yarn when rejoining is to leave a long tail, at least 6 inches, so that you can weave it in later for added security. You can also tie a small knot to secure the yarn in place.
Will the join be noticeable in the finished knitting project?
If done correctly, the join should not be noticeable in the finished knitting project. By joining the new yarn at the beginning of a row and weaving in the ends securely, the join will blend in seamlessly with the rest of the project.
What should I do if the new yarn I want to join is a different color or texture?
If the new yarn you want to join is a different color or texture, you can still rejoin it using the same technique. However, keep in mind that the color or texture difference may be more noticeable in the finished project. If this is a concern for you, you can try to transition the colors or textures gradually by alternating rows or using a blending technique.
Can I rejoin yarn in the middle of a row?
While it is possible to rejoin yarn in the middle of a row, it may be more challenging to hide the join and make it look seamless. It is generally easier and less noticeable to rejoin yarn at the beginning of a row.
Is there a specific knot that is recommended for rejoining yarn?
There is no specific knot that is recommended for rejoining yarn. You can use a simple knot, such as a square knot or an overhand knot, to secure the yarn in place. Just make sure to leave a long enough tail to weave in later for added security.