The Basic Method: Weaving in a New Yarn

To change colors in knitting, you drop the old yarn and pick up the new one at the point where you want the color to shift. The simplest way is to tie the new yarn to the old yarn with a knot, then knit the next stitch with the new color. After you finish knitting, you go back and weave the loose ends into the fabric using a tapestry needle so they do not unravel.

This method works for any stitch pattern and any yarn weight. The knot stays on the wrong side of your work, hidden from view. The loose ends you weave in later anchor the color change and keep both yarns find.

Key Takeaways

  • Tie the new yarn to the old yarn with a square knot, then knit your next stitch with the new color to lock the change in place.
  • Weaving in ends with a tapestry needle after you finish knitting secures both yarns and hides them on the wrong side of the fabric.
  • The stranded method (carrying yarn along the edge) works best for small color changes within a row, while the tie-and-weave method works for any size change.
  • Tension matters: keep your stitches loose enough that the color change does not pucker, but tight enough that gaps do not form between colors.
  • Practice on a small swatch before attempting a color change on a large project so you can see how your tension affects the finished look.

Tying the Knot and Starting the New Color

Hold the old yarn in your left hand and the new yarn in your right. Tie them together with a square knot—cross the new yarn over the old, wrap it around, then cross it over again and pull tight. The knot should sit about 6 inches from the end of each yarn so you have enough tail to weave in later.

Slide the knot up close to your work, right at the base of the last stitch you made. Pick up the new yarn and knit the next stitch as you normally would. The knot stays behind your work and will not show on the finished side. Your first stitch with the new color might feel slightly loose—that is normal and will even out as you continue knitting.

Carrying Yarn for Small Color Changes

If you are switching colors for just a few stitches and plan to switch back soon, you can carry the unused yarn along the edge of your work instead of cutting and tying. This method is called stranding and saves you from weaving in many short ends.

Hold both yarns in your left hand as you knit. When you need to switch colors, straightforward drop the old yarn and pick up the new one. The old yarn rides along the edge of your stitches, hidden in the seam allowance if you are seaming pieces together later, or woven into the edge if you are binding off.

Stranding works best when you are switching colors within 4 or 5 stitches. If the gap is larger, the carried yarn will be too loose and create a sloppy edge. For bigger color blocks, cut the yarn and use the tie-and-weave method instead.

Weaving in Ends After You Finish

Once you have finished knitting and bound off, you have loose yarn tails at each color change. Thread a tapestry needle (a blunt needle with a large eye) with one tail. On the wrong side of your work, run the needle through the loops of several stitches in a row, following the path of the yarn. Weave for about 2 inches, then reverse direction and weave back over the same stitches for another inch. This anchors the end so it cannot pull free.

Trim the tail close to the fabric, leaving about a quarter-inch. If you cut it too short, the end may slip out; if you leave too much, it can poke through to the right side. Repeat for every color change tail until all loose ends are secured.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

The most common problem is tension that is too tight at the color change. When you switch yarns, your stitches often become smaller because you are concentrating on the transition. The result is a puckered line where the colors meet. To prevent this, knit the first few stitches after a color change slightly looser than normal, then return to your regular tension.

Another mistake is weaving in ends too shallowly. If you only weave through one or two stitches, the end will work its way out over time, especially in areas that get a lot of wear. Always weave for at least 2 inches, and more if your yarn is slippery or your project will be washed frequently.

Do not tie the knot too close to the edge of your work. If the knot sits right at the last stitch, it can create a bulge or cause that stitch to loosen. Tie it about 6 inches away so the knot sits safely behind your work.

Color Changes in the Middle of a Row

Changing colors mid-row works the same way as changing colors at the edge. Tie the new yarn to the old one, knit the next stitch with the new color, and continue. The knot will sit on the wrong side of your work, hidden from view.

If you are working a pattern with many color changes in the same row—like a Fair Isle or jacquard design—you may want to use the stranding method instead. This keeps you from tying and weaving dozens of knots. Carry the unused yarn along the back of your work, picking it up and dropping it as the pattern requires. This is faster and creates a neater back, though it does require practice to keep tension even.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tie the new yarn to the old yarn while I am still knitting?

Yes. Tie the knot, slide it close to your work, and knit the next stitch with the new yarn. The knot stays on the wrong side. Some knitters prefer to tie the knot before they start knitting that row so they can position it exactly where they want it.

What if my color change line looks uneven or puckered?

Uneven tension is the cause. Knit the first few stitches after the color change slightly looser than normal, then return to your regular tension. If the line is already finished, you can sometimes smooth it by gently stretching the fabric widthwise and blocking it with steam or water.

Do I have to weave in ends, or can I just tie knots?

Knots alone will eventually come loose, especially in areas that get friction or washing. Weaving in ends anchors them so they stay put. It takes a few extra minutes but prevents unraveling later.

How do I change colors when knitting in the round?

The method is identical. Tie the new yarn to the old one, knit the next stitch with the new color, and continue around. The knot sits on the inside of the tube, hidden from view. Weave in the ends the same way you would for flat knitting.

What is the difference between a square knot and other knots?

A square knot is flat and does not slip, so it stays put while you knit. Other knots like a granny knot can twist or come undone. For color changes, a square knot is the standard because it is reliable and creates the smallest bulk on the wrong side of your work.