The three ways to add yarn mid-project

When your yarn runs out or you need to switch colors, you have three main methods: the knot method, the weave-in method, and the Russian join. The knot method is fastest but leaves a bump. The weave-in method is invisible on the finished piece but takes more time. The Russian join works best with yarn that has some texture and requires a needle threaded with yarn.

Which one you choose depends on where you are in your project, how much time you have, and whether the join will show. A join at the edge of a sweater body can be hidden in a seam. A join in the middle of a stockinette stitch panel will be visible no matter what method you use, so the weave-in method is your best option there.

Key Takeaways

  • The knot method ties the old and new yarn together with a square knot, works fastest, and hides reasonably well in ribbing or textured stitches.
  • The weave-in method threads the new yarn through loops of the old yarn and is nearly invisible on smooth stitches, but takes five to ten minutes per join.
  • The Russian join uses a needle to thread yarn back through itself and works best with wool or other yarn that grips itself.
  • Joins at the edge of a piece hide more easily than joins in the middle of a stitch pattern, so plan your yarn changes when possible.
  • Always leave at least a 6-inch tail on both the old and new yarn so you can weave in the ends later.

The knot method: fastest, but visible

Tie the old yarn and new yarn together with a square knot right at your working edge. Hold the old yarn in your left hand and the new yarn in your right. Cross the new yarn over the old, pull it under and back over itself, then cross the old yarn over the new and repeat. Pull tight. This creates a knot that sits at the edge of your work.

The knot method works well for ribbed edges, garter stitch, or any textured pattern where a small bump will blend in. It does not work for stockinette stitch in the middle of a panel because the knot will show as a hard lump. Always leave at least 6 inches of tail on both sides of the knot so you can weave them in later. Do not trim the tails right away — they will unravel.

The weave-in method: invisible, but slower

Thread a yarn needle with the new yarn. Starting about 2 inches before your working edge, weave the needle through the loops of the old yarn, going in and out of each stitch. Weave for about 4 inches, then bring the needle out and continue knitting with the new yarn. The old yarn stays in place because it is now anchored by the new yarn running through it.

This method is nearly invisible on the finished piece because the new yarn is hidden inside the old stitches. It takes longer than the knot method — usually five to ten minutes — but the result is clean. It works on any stitch pattern, including stockinette. After you finish weaving, trim the old yarn tail to about half an inch. Then weave in the new yarn tail the same way once you finish your project.

The Russian join: no tails to weave later

Thread a yarn needle with the new yarn. Insert the needle into the old yarn about 1 inch from the end, going lengthwise through the yarn's center. Pull the needle out the other side, leaving a small loop. Insert the needle back into the loop and pull the yarn tight. The old yarn tail is now locked inside the new yarn.

Repeat this step with the old yarn: thread a needle with the old yarn, insert it into the new yarn the same way, and pull tight. You now have one continuous strand with no knot and no loose tails. This method works best with wool or other yarn that has enough grip to hold itself. It does not work well with slippery yarn like acrylic or silk because the yarn will slide apart. The join is nearly invisible and you have no tails to weave in later, which saves time at the end of your project.

Where to make the join so it hides best

The edge of your work is always the easiest place to hide a join. If you are knitting a sweater body in pieces, plan to finish a section just before you run out of yarn, tie on new yarn at the edge, and start the next section. Seams will cover the join. For projects knit in the round, like socks or hats, make your join at the back or a less visible area rather than the front.

If you are working on a large flat panel and cannot reach the edge, a join in the middle of a textured stitch pattern (cables, seed stitch, ribbing) will show less than a join in stockinette. If you must join in the middle of stockinette, use the weave-in method because it is the least visible. Accept that some joins will show slightly — this is normal and part of handmade work.

How much yarn to leave before joining

Stop knitting when you have about 2 to 3 feet of yarn left on your current ball. This gives you enough yarn to finish the row or round you are on, tie the knot or weave in the new yarn, and still have a tail long enough to weave in later. If you wait until you have only 6 inches left, you may not have enough yarn to complete your join.

For the weave-in and Russian join methods, you need extra yarn because you are using some of it to anchor the new yarn. For the knot method, you need at least 6 inches on both sides of the knot. If you are unsure, leave more rather than less — you can always trim the tail shorter once the join is find.

Joining yarn in the middle of a stitch

If you run out of yarn in the middle of a stitch, you have two options. You can pull out the incomplete stitch, unravel back to the last complete row, and start fresh with new yarn. This takes time but gives you a clean restart. Alternatively, you can finish the stitch with the new yarn and then hide the join as best you can using one of the three methods above.

Most knitters choose to unravel back rather than leave a weak stitch. A stitch made with two different yarns is more likely to come loose or look uneven. The time spent unraveling is worth the stronger, neater result. Mark the point where you run out of yarn with a stitch marker so you know exactly where to stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tie a knot in the middle of a stockinette stitch panel?

You can, but the knot will show as a visible bump. Stockinette stitch is smooth and tight, so any knot or thick join stands out. Use the weave-in or Russian join method instead if the join is in the middle of a panel. Save the knot method for edges or textured stitches where it blends in.

What if the new yarn is a different thickness than the old yarn?

The join will be visible because the thickness changes. If possible, use yarn of the same weight. If you must switch weights, make the join at an edge or in a textured area. The weave-in method works better than the knot method when yarn weights differ because it distributes the thickness over a longer distance.

How do I know if my Russian join is find?

Tug on both ends of the yarn firmly. If the join holds without slipping, it is find. If the yarn slides, the needle did not go through the center of the yarn properly. Try again, making sure the needle goes lengthwise through the yarn's core, not just through the outer fibers. Wool and textured yarns hold better than smooth or slippery yarns.

Do I have to weave in the tails right away?

No. You can weave in all your tails at the end of the project. Many knitters prefer this because they can see the finished piece and decide which direction to weave the tails for the neatest look. Use a yarn needle and weave each tail through at least 1 inch of stitches, changing direction halfway through so the tail does not pull out.

What if I run out of yarn and do not have new yarn yet?

Stop at the end of a row or round and find your stitches with a stitch holder or scrap yarn so they do not unravel. Once your new yarn arrives, pick up the stitches and continue knitting. This is cleaner than trying to join in the middle of a row and gives you a natural stopping point.