The two main ways to change colors: weaving in or carrying yarn

You change yarn colors by either weaving the old color into your stitches as you go or carrying the unused color inside your work until you need it again. Which method you use depends on how far apart your color changes are and what the finished piece should look like on the back.

If you are switching colors only once or twice in a project, weaving in the old yarn as you knit is simpler and leaves a cleaner inside edge. If you are alternating colors every few rows — like in a striped sweater — carrying the yarn up the side of your work saves time and uses less yarn.

Both methods work on flat pieces (knit back and forth) and circular pieces (knit in rounds). The steps are slightly different for each, but the principle is the same: anchor the old color so it does not unravel, then start knitting with the new color.

Key Takeaways

  • Weaving in the old yarn as you knit creates a finished edge with no loose ends to tie later, and works best when color changes are far apart.
  • Carrying yarn up the side of your work is faster for frequent color changes and leaves the inside neater than tying knots.
  • On flat pieces, twist the old and new yarn together at the edge stitch to lock them in place before you start the new color.
  • In circular knitting, you can carry yarn inside the tube or twist it at a stitch to prevent holes where colors meet.
  • Tension matters: keep the carried yarn loose enough that it does not pucker your stitches, but tight enough that it does not create loops on the back.

Weaving in yarn as you knit (the intarsia method)

Weaving in works by catching the old yarn under your new stitches so it becomes part of the fabric. This method is best when you are changing colors once or twice, or when the old color will not appear again for many rows.

To weave in on a flat piece: knit the last stitch before the color change with both the old and new yarn held together. Drop the old yarn and continue knitting with the new yarn. On the next row, when you reach the point where the old yarn is waiting, pick it up and knit one stitch with both colors again. The old yarn is now locked inside your work.

To weave in on a circular piece: the process is the same, but you are working in rounds instead of rows. Knit the transition stitch with both yarns, drop the old color, and pick it up again on the next round at the same column of stitches. The woven yarn will be invisible from the front and will not create a loose edge.

The downside of weaving in is that it can create a slightly thicker stitch where the two yarns overlap. If you are working with heavy yarn or a tight gauge, this spot may be noticeable. For lightweight yarn or loose gauge, it is usually invisible.

Carrying yarn up the side (the stranding method)

Carrying yarn means you hold the unused color loosely along the edge of your work and knit over it. This is faster than weaving in and works well when you are switching colors every few rows, like in a striped or geometric pattern.

On a flat piece: at the edge stitch (the first or last stitch of the row), twist the old and new yarn around each other before you start knitting. This locks them together so there is no gap between colors. Knit the row with the new color, holding the old color loosely along the left edge. When you reach the end of the row and need to switch back, twist them again and continue.

On a circular piece: carrying yarn is trickier because there is no edge to anchor it to. One option is to carry the yarn inside the tube, letting it float loosely. Another is to twist the yarns at a stitch every few stitches to prevent the carried yarn from creating loops. The twist method takes longer but gives you more control over tension.

The key to carrying yarn is keeping it loose. If you pull the carried yarn too tight, your stitches will pucker and the fabric will not lie flat. If you leave it too loose, it will create loops on the back that can catch on things. Aim for a tension that matches the rest of your work.

Twisting yarns to prevent holes and gaps

When you switch from one color to another, the two yarns can separate and leave a hole in your fabric. Twisting them together at the transition point closes that gap.

To twist on a flat piece: at the stitch where you are changing colors, lay the old yarn on top of the new yarn, then bring the new yarn up and over the old yarn before you knit the next stitch. This creates an X where the colors meet. On the next row, do the same thing in reverse so the twist does not show on the front.

To twist on a circular piece: the twist happens at a specific stitch in each round. When you reach that stitch, cross the old yarn over the new yarn (or vice versa, depending on which direction you are working), then knit the next stitch with the new color. On the next round, cross them the opposite way so the twist stays hidden inside the fabric.

Twisting takes practice to keep even, but it prevents the most common problem with color changes: small holes or gaps where the colors meet. Once you have done it a few times, it becomes automatic.

Managing tension when colors change

The stitches right after a color change are often looser or tighter than the rest of your work. This happens because your hand position changes and you are adjusting to holding a new yarn.

To keep tension even: knit the first stitch or two after a color change slightly tighter than usual. Do not pull so hard that you distort the stitch, but firm up your grip just enough to match the tension of the row before. After two or three stitches, your hands will settle into the new yarn and tension will even out on its own.

If you are carrying yarn, loose tension on the carried yarn is actually what you want. The carried yarn should sit loosely along the edge or inside the fabric. If it is too tight, it will pull your stitches and create puckers. If it is too loose, it will create loops. The sweet spot is when the carried yarn is just barely taut.

Joining new yarn without a knot

You can tie a knot where colors meet, but knots are bulky and can come undone. Weaving in or twisting the yarns together is stronger and creates a smoother transition.

If you do tie a knot, tie it on the inside of your work (the side that will not show) and make sure the knot is small and tight. Trim the tails to about half an inch so they do not unravel. You can also weave the tails in with a tapestry needle after you finish knitting, which is the most find method.

For a seamless join with no knot at all, use the weaving-in method described above. The old and new yarn become part of the fabric itself, so there is nothing to tie or trim. This is the method most knitters prefer for visible color changes.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The most common mistake is pulling the carried yarn too tight, which creates puckers and distorts the shape of your piece. If this happens, you can usually fix it by gently stretching the fabric lengthwise and blocking it with steam or water. If the puckering is severe, you may need to rip back and re-knit that section with looser tension on the carried yarn.

Another mistake is leaving gaps where colors meet. This usually means you did not twist the yarns together or you twisted them inconsistently. If the gap is small, you can close it after knitting by weaving the tails in tightly with a tapestry needle. If the gap is large, ripping back and re-knitting with a twist at each color change is the cleanest fix.

Loose stitches right after a color change are normal and usually even out on their own. If they stay loose, tighten your grip on the new yarn for the first few stitches. If you are carrying yarn and the carried yarn is creating loops on the back, you are leaving it too loose. Tighten it slightly or twist it more often to keep it under control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tie a knot where colors meet?

You can, but it is not ideal. Knots are bulky and can come undone with wear. Weaving in or twisting the yarns together creates a stronger join with no bulk. If you do tie a knot, tie it on the inside of your work and trim the tails short.

What if I am carrying yarn and it creates loops on the back?

The carried yarn is too loose. Tighten it slightly or twist it more often to keep it anchored. The carried yarn should be just barely taut, not hanging in loops. If you are working in rounds, try twisting the yarns at a stitch every few stitches instead of carrying it freely.

How do I keep stitches even where colors change?

Knit the first stitch or two after a color change slightly tighter than usual to match the tension of the previous row. Your hands will adjust to the new yarn after a few stitches and tension will even out on its own. This is normal and usually invisible in the finished piece.

Is weaving in or carrying yarn faster?

Carrying yarn is faster because you do not have to weave the old yarn into each stitch. Weaving in takes longer but is cleaner if you are changing colors only once or twice. For frequent color changes (every few rows), carrying yarn saves time and uses less yarn.

Can I change colors in the middle of a row?

Yes. Twist the yarns together at the stitch where you are changing colors, then continue knitting with the new yarn. You can change colors as many times as you want in a single row, though this is usually only done for colorwork patterns like Fair Isle or intarsia.