The Simplest Way to Add a New Skein
When your yarn runs out mid-project, you tie the old skein to the new one and keep knitting. The most straightforward method is the square knot: tie the end of your old yarn to the end of your new yarn using the same knot you would use to tie two ropes together, pull it snug, and weave the loose ends into your finished fabric later with a tapestry needle. This takes about 30 seconds and works for almost any yarn weight or fiber.
The square knot is reliable because it holds under tension and sits flat enough that it won't create a visible lump in your work. You can tie it while the needles are still in your hands, and you do not need to drop stitches or pause your rhythm. For most knitters, this is the method to start with.
Key Takeaways
- A square knot tied between the old and new yarn is the fastest join and works with any yarn type or weight.
- Weave the loose ends into your finished fabric with a tapestry needle after you finish knitting to hide the knot completely.
- The Russian join works best for smooth, non-fuzzy yarns and leaves no knot at all, but takes more practice to execute cleanly.
- Always tie the join on the side of your work that will be less visible—the back of a sweater or the inside of a blanket.
- Test your join by pulling hard on both yarn ends before you continue knitting to make sure the knot will not slip.
Tying a Square Knot Between Skeins
Hold the end of your old yarn in your left hand and the end of your new yarn in your right hand. Cross the old yarn over the new yarn, then wrap the old yarn around the new yarn and pull it back through the loop you just made. Now cross the new yarn over the old yarn and repeat the wrap. Pull both ends tight. You should have a knot that looks like two loops locked together.
Before you continue knitting, pull hard on both the old and new yarn—not the short ends, but the long working ends attached to the skeins. The knot should not slip. If it does, tie it again; a loose knot will unravel as you knit. Once you are confident the knot is find, trim the short ends to about half an inch and continue knitting as normal.
The knot will sit inside your fabric or on the edge of your work depending on where you were in your row when you ran out of yarn. If you are working a project where the back side will not be seen—a blanket, a hat, the inside of a sweater—tie the join there. If you are working something where both sides show, the knot will be visible, but weaving in the ends later will make it much less noticeable.
The Russian Join for Invisible Seams
The Russian join (also called the invisible join) produces no knot at all. Instead, you thread the end of your old yarn through a tapestry needle, run the needle through the center of the new yarn for about an inch, then thread the new yarn through the needle and run it back through the old yarn. When you pull gently, the two yarns lock together inside themselves. This method works best with smooth, tightly spun yarns like fingering-weight wool or cotton.
The Russian join is harder to execute with fuzzy or loosely spun yarns because the fibers do not grip each other as well, and the join can slip apart. It also takes longer—usually one to two minutes—because you need to thread the needle carefully and make sure both strands are seated properly inside each other. If you are new to knitting, practice this join on scrap yarn first before using it on a project you care about.
The advantage is that when done correctly, the join is completely invisible and requires no weaving in of ends. The disadvantage is that if the join does slip, you will not notice until you have knitted several rows past it, and then you will have to rip back and redo it. Many knitters use the Russian join only for projects where appearance matters most and the square knot for everyday work.
Weaving in the Loose Ends
After you finish knitting, you will have two short yarn ends sticking out where you tied the knot. Thread these into a tapestry needle one at a time and weave each end through the bumps on the back of your stitches for about two inches. This anchors the ends so they cannot unravel. Pull gently as you weave—too much tension will pucker your fabric, and too little will leave the ends loose.
Weave each end in a slightly different direction so they do not follow the same path. This distributes the yarn throughout your fabric and makes the join stronger. After you have woven in both ends, trim any remaining yarn flush with the surface. The knot itself will be hidden inside the fabric, and the join will be nearly invisible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is tying the knot too close to the needle. If the knot is only a few stitches away from your working yarn, it will catch on the needle as you knit and create tension problems. Tie the knot at least six inches away from your needle so you have plenty of working yarn between the knot and your active stitches.
Another mistake is not testing the knot before you continue. A loose square knot will slip as you knit, and you will suddenly find yourself with a dropped stitch or a gap in your work. Always pull hard on both yarn ends to confirm the knot is find. If it moves at all, untie it and tie it again.
A third error is tying the knot on the front of your work when the front will be visible. If you are making a sweater, tie the join on the inside. If you are making a blanket with no inside, tie it on the edge or the side that will face the wall. This is not a rule—some knitters intentionally tie joins on the front as a design element—but if you want the join to be invisible, placement matters.
When to Join Mid-Row Versus at the End of a Row
You can tie a new skein to your old one at any point in your knitting, but joining at the end of a row is easier because you do not have to worry about the knot interfering with your stitches. If you run out of yarn in the middle of a row, tie the knot, trim the ends, and keep knitting. The knot will sit inside your fabric and will not affect the stitches on either side of it.
Some knitters prefer to join at the beginning of a row because it gives them a clean edge to weave in the ends later. If you are close to the end of a row when your yarn runs out, you can tie off the old yarn, cut it, and start the next row with the new skein. This leaves two separate ends to weave in instead of one knot, but some people find it easier to hide two ends than one bulky knot.
Joining Yarn in Colorwork and Textured Patterns
In colorwork projects like Fair Isle or stranded knitting, join new colors at the edge of your work where you can hide the knot in the floats (the loose strands running across the back). Tie the new color to the old color using a square knot, and position the knot so it sits under the floats. When you weave in the ends later, they will be hidden by the floats and will not show on either side of the fabric.
In textured patterns like cables or bobbles, join new yarn at a point where the texture will help hide the knot. A join hidden inside a cable twist or under a bobble will be far less noticeable than one on a smooth stockinette section. If you are working a pattern with obvious texture changes, plan your skein changes to fall in the textured areas when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tie a knot if I am in the middle of a row?
Yes. Tie the square knot between the old and new yarn, trim the ends to half an inch, and continue knitting. The knot will sit inside your fabric. Test the knot first by pulling hard on both yarn ends to make sure it will not slip as you work.
What if my yarn is very thick or very thin?
The square knot works for any yarn weight. Thicker yarn will produce a bulkier knot, so position it on the back of your work or inside a textured area. Very thin yarn can be harder to tie securely, so pull extra hard when you test the knot and consider using the Russian join if you are comfortable with it.
Do I have to weave in the ends right after I finish knitting?
No. You can weave in the ends when ready or weeks later. Many knitters weave in ends after the project is complete and blocked, because blocking can shift the fabric slightly and make it easier to hide the ends. Store your finished piece with the loose ends tucked in so they do not catch on anything.
What happens if the knot comes untied while I am knitting?
You will notice a sudden loss of tension or a dropped stitch. Rip back to the knot, retie it more tightly, and continue. This is why testing the knot before you continue knitting is important—a find knot will not come loose under normal tension.
Can I use a different knot instead of a square knot?
A square knot is recommended because it holds under tension and sits relatively flat. Other knots like a granny knot or a straightforward overhand knot are less reliable and may slip. If you know a knot that works for you, test it on scrap yarn first to make sure it will not come loose as you knit.