How Do I Change Yarns in a Knitting Project?
Knitting is an enjoyable, relaxing hobby, but for a beginner, tasks such as joining new skeins or adding new colors can suddenly make knitting a stressful undertaking. With a good bit of careful thought, and a little bit of careful practice, even a brand new knitter can learn to create smooth, even yarn changes. Having this skill opens up worlds of creative options for making your knitting uniquely "you."
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Instructions
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Joining a New Skein of the Same Yarn
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1
Pick up the end of the new yarn along with the old yarn. The new yarn should have a tail of about 6 to 8 inches.
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2
Knit two or three stitches with both strands of yarn. If the yarn is especially thin or slippery, you may want to knit eight or ten stitches.
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3
Cut the old yarn, leaving a 6 to 8 inch tail. Continue knitting with the new yarn alone. When the project is completed, thread the tails onto a yarn needle. Trim to 4 inches and weave them into the knitting.
Joining a New Color or Yarn
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4
Cut the original yarn, leaving a 6 to 8 inch tail. If joining at the beginning of a row, make a loop with the new yarn, leaving a 6 to 8 inch tail.
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5
Thread the loop through the first stitch on the right-hand needle. Slide that stitch off the needle and slip the loop onto the left-hand needle. This is your first stitch.
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6
Continue knitting with the new color, keeping adequate tension on the tail until the new yarn is locked in. When the project is completed, thread the tails onto a yarn needle. Trim to 4 inches and weave them into the knitting.
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7
Join in the middle of a row by dropping the old yarn. Pick up the new yarn, pulling it from below the old yarn. Knit a few stitches with the new yarn, leaving a 6 to 8 inch tail. Cut the old yarn, also leaving a tail. Weave in ends when project is complete.
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Tips & Warnings
The first method of joining yarn is more secure. New colors can also be joined using this method if you don't mind a couple of two-color stitches.
Do not join your yarn with a knot. It will weaken the fibers and leave bumps in your knitting.
References
- Photo Credit knitting image by Inger Anne Hulbækdal from Fotolia.com
