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When you knit with a ball of yarn, it will eventually run out and you will need to start a new one. If you're not sure how, don't worry! Here are two easy methods you can use to change knitting yarn so you can get back to working on your project.
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Cut the old yarn, leaving about a 6 inch (15.2 cm) end. [1] X Research source
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Hold the yarn end and the beginning 6 inches (15.2 cm) of the new yarn together with your left hand. -
Start knitting with the yarn. The first stitch will be a bit loose but this can be fixed later. [2] X Research source
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Knit about 5 stitches then stop and tie the ends of the yarns together in a small knot.
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Carry on knitting to the end of the row.
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To change yarn a different way, make a slipknot in the new yarn then pass the old yarn through it. [3] X Research source
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Slide the new yarn up to the base of the first stitch and tighten the slipknot. You are now ready to continue knitting with your new ball of yarn. [4] X Research source
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Weave in the yarn ends. When you've finished knitting, you will have a couple of yarn tails hanging along the side. To hide them it is easy to weave them in. Get a yarn needle and thread the yarn end through its eye. With the needle, weave the yarn in and out through the bumps at the side or the back of your piece. [5] X Research source
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Snip the yarn close to the end for a beautifully tidy finish.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhen knitting in the round, how do I change yarn colors?Eye of the ligerCommunity AnswerThe same way you would with flat knitting. It's best to change between two needles, or best of all, at the end of a round. Make sure the end is on the outside, so you can easily find it later when you have to sew it in.
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QuestionI've knitted two pieces (lap blanket), and now I want to join them. Suggestions?T. ChinsenTop AnswererSewing the edges together with a ladder stitch is one method. Use a crochet hook to make a chain stitch pattern through both pieces and make it part of the design. Overlap the edges and crochet the edges together. You can make it close together of loose and lacy. Knit a joining strip by picking up and knitting through a stitch from each piece.
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QuestionHow do I cast on to knit?Community AnswerThere are several different methods for casting on. The easiest is probably the backwards loop cast on, but the cable cast on is also a commonly used option. For more information, I suggest reading through wikiHow's article about casting on.
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Tips
- Keep small pieces of snipped off yarn for mending needs - just in case. The wool dye lot will match if you do this. It is a good idea to label such snipped pieces so that you know why you are keeping them and for which item.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- A large pair of knitting needles
- An old ball of yarn
- A new ball of yarn
- A pair of scissors
- A yarn needle
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about knitting and crochet, check out our in-depth interview with Sarah Stearns .
References
- ↑ https://www.simple-knitting.com/joining-yarn.html
- ↑ https://www.simple-knitting.com/joining-yarn.html
- ↑ https://tutorials.knitpicks.com/slip-knot-join/
- ↑ https://tutorials.knitpicks.com/slip-knot-join/
- ↑ https://www.dummies.com/crafts/knitting/how-to-join-yarn-in-knitting/
- Videos provided by Studio Knit
About This Article
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"It's been so long since I've knitted, I forgot how to tie up the changed colors."
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