The basic way to add color: the yarn join
Adding a new color in knitting means tying or weaving in a new yarn while you keep the old one in place. The simplest method is to tie the new yarn directly to the old yarn at the edge of your work, then knit with the new color on your next row. You can also weave the new yarn in by threading it through a few stitches before you start knitting with it, which creates a neater join with less bulk.
The method you choose depends on where the color change happens in your pattern and how visible you want the join to be. If the color change occurs at the edge of your piece—the side seam—a straightforward knot works fine because you'll hide it when you sew pieces together. If the color change is in the middle of a row or visible on the front, weaving in the yarn first gives you a smoother transition.
Key Takeaways
- Tie the new yarn to the old yarn with a square knot at the edge of your work, then knit the next row with the new color.
- Weaving the new yarn through a few existing stitches before you start knitting reduces bulk and creates a neater join on visible edges.
- Stranding (carrying the old color along the edge) works for color changes that happen within a few rows of each other.
- Always leave a tail of at least 4 inches on both the old and new yarn so you can weave them in securely after you finish knitting.
Tying on a new color at the edge
The quickest way to add a new color is to tie it on at the side edge of your work. Hold the new yarn alongside the old yarn, leaving a 4-inch tail on both. Tie a square knot—right over left, then left over right—to find them together. Pull the knot snug but not so tight that it distorts your stitches.
Once the knot is tied, begin knitting the next row with the new yarn. The knot sits on the edge of your piece and will be hidden in the seam when you sew your finished pieces together. This method works best for projects where the color change happens at a side edge, like a striped sweater or a blanket with vertical color blocks.
After you finish knitting, you'll need to weave in both tails—the old yarn and the new yarn—to find them permanently. Thread each tail through a tapestry needle and run it through the bumps on the back of your stitches for about 2 inches, then trim the excess.
Weaving in the new yarn for a hidden join
If your color change is visible on the front of your work or you want an especially neat join, weave the new yarn in before you start knitting with it. Thread the new yarn through a tapestry needle and run it under and over the bumps on the back of your last few stitches—usually 3 to 5 stitches is enough. This anchors the new yarn so it won't slip or create a loose spot.
Once the new yarn is woven in, drop the old yarn and knit the next row with the new color. The woven-in section sits on the back of your work and is invisible from the front. This method takes a bit longer than tying a knot, but it creates a professional finish and uses less yarn because you don't have a bulky knot to hide.
After you finish knitting, weave in the tail of the new yarn the same way you wove in the beginning—through the bumps on the back of your stitches for about 2 inches. Weave in the old yarn tail as well so nothing comes loose.
Stranding: carrying the old color along the edge
Stranding means you carry the old yarn along the edge of your work while you knit with the new color, so you can pick the old color back up later without tying anything on. This works well if your color changes happen within a few rows of each other—say, you knit 4 rows in blue, then 4 rows in yellow, then back to blue.
To strand, straightforward drop the old yarn at the edge and start knitting with the new yarn. The old yarn sits along the side of your work, held loosely in place by the edge stitches. When you're ready to switch back to the old color, pick it up and knit with it again. The stranded yarn stays on the edge and doesn't show on the front of your piece.
Stranding only works if you pick up the old color within a reasonable number of rows—usually no more than 6 to 8 rows. If you strand for too long, the carried yarn becomes loose and sloppy. For longer color blocks, tie on a new yarn instead and weave in the tails later.
Changing color in the middle of a row
Sometimes your pattern calls for a color change in the middle of a row—for example, a stripe that runs horizontally across the middle of your work. In this case, you can't tie on at the edge because the join would be in the middle of your stitches.
The best method is to drop the old yarn and pick up the new yarn at the point where the color changes, leaving a 4-inch tail on both yarns. Knit the rest of the row with the new color. On the next row, when you reach the color change point again, drop the new yarn and pick up the old yarn. After you finish knitting, weave in both tails on the back of your work so they don't show on the front.
This creates a small gap or loose spot at the color change if you don't find the tails well, so take time to weave them in firmly. Some knitters use a crochet hook to pull the tails through several stitches in a zigzag pattern, which anchors them more securely than a straight line.
Weaving in tails after you finish
No matter which method you use to add a new color, you'll have yarn tails to weave in once you're done knitting. Thread each tail through a tapestry needle—a blunt needle with a large eye designed for yarn. Run the needle through the bumps on the back of your stitches for at least 2 inches, moving in one direction, then reverse direction for another inch or two. This locks the tail in place so it won't pull loose.
For extra security on color changes, weave the tail in a zigzag pattern instead of a straight line. Go under a bump, then over the next bump, then under the next, and so on. This creates more friction and holds the tail more firmly. After weaving, trim the excess yarn close to your work, leaving just a tiny bit so the end doesn't slip back through.
Weave in tails before you wash or block your finished piece. Blocking—wetting and shaping your knitting—can loosen tails that aren't secured well, so it's better to anchor them first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tie a knot in the middle of my knitting?
You can, but it creates a visible bump on the front of your work. Knots work best at the edges where they'll be hidden in seams. For color changes in the middle of your piece, weave the new yarn in instead so the join stays on the back.
What if I run out of yarn in the middle of a row?
Tie on a new ball of the same color using the same method you'd use for a color change—either a knot at the edge or weaving in the new yarn. Weave in both tails after you finish. If you run out mid-row, tie on and continue; the join will be less noticeable if you weave the tails in carefully.
How do I keep stranded yarn from getting tangled?
Keep the stranded yarn loose and relaxed along the edge of your work. Don't pull it tight or it will pucker your edge stitches. If you're switching colors frequently, you can also twist the two yarns around each other at the edge every few rows to keep them from tangling, though this isn't necessary for most projects.
Do I have to weave in tails before I block my knitting?
It's best to weave them in first. Blocking involves wetting your knitting, and loose tails can slip out during the process. Weave them in securely, then block your finished piece so everything stays in place.