The Basic Method: Weaving in a New Yarn

To change colors in knitting, you stop using the old yarn and start using the new one on your next stitch. The simplest way is to drop the old color, pick up the new color, and knit the next stitch with it. Your two yarn ends will be loose at the edge of your work—you'll weave them in later with a needle once you're done knitting.

This method works best when you're changing colors at the edge of your piece or when you don't mind a small gap between the old and new color. It's the least fussy approach and the one most beginners start with because there's nothing to manage while you're actively knitting.

Key Takeaways

  • The simplest color change is dropping the old yarn and picking up the new yarn on the next stitch, then weaving in the loose ends later.
  • Stranding (carrying yarn across the back) works for small color blocks but creates a thick, stiff fabric if you carry yarn more than a few stitches.
  • Twisting yarns together at the color change prevents holes and loose edges, and is the most common method for neat, professional-looking results.
  • Bobbins let you manage multiple colors in the same row without carrying yarn across the entire width of your work.
  • Always weave in loose ends on the wrong side of your finished piece to hide them and keep them from unraveling.

Twisting Yarns to Prevent Holes

When you change colors, the two yarns can leave a visible hole or gap where they meet. To prevent this, twist the old and new yarn around each other at the point where you switch. Drop the old yarn, pick up the new yarn from underneath it, and knit your next stitch. This locks the two colors together so they don't separate.

The twist happens naturally if you're consistent about which direction you pick up the new yarn. If you always pick up the new yarn from underneath the old one (or always from on top), your edges will look even. This method takes no extra time once you develop the habit, and it's the standard way to change colors in most patterns.

Twisting works whether you're changing colors at the edge of your work or in the middle of a row. The result is a neat, tight seam between the two colors with no holes or loose loops.

Stranding: Carrying Yarn Across Short Distances

Stranding means carrying the yarn you're not using across the back of your work until you need it again. This is useful when you're switching between two colors every few stitches—like in a Fair Isle pattern or a straightforward two-color design. Instead of cutting the yarn and weaving in ends, you just drop it and pick it back up a few stitches later.

The rule of thumb is to strand yarn only across 3 to 5 stitches. If you carry yarn across more than that, the loose strand on the back becomes visible through the front of your fabric, and the fabric itself becomes stiff and thick. For longer stretches of one color, cut the yarn, change colors, and weave in the ends later.

When you strand, keep the carried yarn loose enough that it doesn't pucker your stitches. If the strand is too tight, your fabric will bunch up and look uneven. A light touch—letting the yarn sit gently on your work—prevents this problem.

Using Bobbins for Multiple Colors in One Row

If you're working with three or more colors in the same row, or if you have large blocks of different colors next to each other, bobbins let you manage each color separately. A bobbin is a small tool (usually plastic or cardboard) that holds a length of yarn. You wind a small amount of each color onto its own bobbin, then hang them from your work as you knit.

Bobbins prevent you from having to carry yarn across your entire piece, which would create a thick, stiff fabric. Instead, each color stays in its own area. When you switch from one color to the next, you twist the two bobbins together at the color change—the same twist you'd use if you were changing colors with full balls of yarn.

Bobbins are especially useful for intarsia knitting, where you have large blocks of solid color. They're less necessary for Fair Isle or stranded colorwork, where you're switching colors frequently and the strands stay short.

Weaving in Loose Ends on the Wrong Side

Once you've finished knitting, you'll have loose yarn ends wherever you changed colors or cut the yarn. These need to be woven into the fabric so they don't unravel and so they don't show on the front of your piece. Use a yarn needle (also called a tapestry needle)—a blunt needle with a large eye that holds yarn.

Thread the loose end through the needle and weave it through the bumps on the wrong side of your fabric for about 2 inches. Go in and out of the stitches in a gentle zigzag, then reverse direction and weave back over the same path. This anchors the end so it won't come loose. Trim the excess yarn close to the fabric.

Weave in ends on the wrong side (the side that won't show when you wear the piece). If you must weave in an end on the right side, try to hide it inside a stitch or along a seam where it's less visible.

Avoiding Common Color-Change Mistakes

The most common mistake is twisting the yarns in the wrong direction or inconsistently. If you twist one color change one way and the next color change a different way, your edges will look uneven and wavy. Pick a direction—always picking up the new yarn from underneath, or always from on top—and stick with it for the whole piece.

Another mistake is stranding yarn across too many stitches. This makes the fabric thick and stiff, and the loose strand shows through on the front. If you're more than 5 stitches into one color, cut the old color and weave in the end instead of carrying it.

Loose weaving-in is also a problem. If you don't weave in the ends securely, they'll work their way out and unravel. Spend the extra minute to weave each end in both directions so it's locked in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change colors in the middle of a row?

Yes. Drop the old yarn, pick up the new yarn, and knit the next stitch. Twist the two yarns together at the change to prevent a hole. You can change colors anywhere in a row, though changing at the edge is simpler for beginners because there's less to manage while you're knitting.

What if my color change looks loose or sloppy?

Tighten the first stitch after the color change by pulling the new yarn snug before you knit it. If the edge is still loose after you've finished, you can gently tighten it when you weave in the ends. Consistent tension comes with practice—don't worry if your first few color changes aren't perfect.

Do I have to weave in ends right after I finish knitting?

No. You can weave in ends when ready or wait until later. Some knitters weave them in as they go, while others finish the whole piece first. The only rule is that they need to be woven in before you wear or wash the piece, or they'll come loose.

What's the difference between stranding and intarsia?

Stranding carries yarn across the back of your work and works best for small, frequent color changes. Intarsia uses separate bobbins for each color block and works best for large areas of solid color. Stranding creates a thicker, warmer fabric; intarsia creates a thinner, flatter one.