The best join depends on your yarn type and where the join sits in your project
You join new yarn when your current ball runs out or you want to change color. The method you choose matters because a weak join can unravel or show as a bump in your finished piece. The three most reliable joins for most knitters are the weave-in join (works on any yarn), the spit splice (best for wool), and the Russian join (fastest and nearly invisible). Each takes two to five minutes and requires only yarn and a needle.
The weave-in join works on every fiber and is the safest choice if you are unsure. The spit splice works only on animal fibers like wool and alpaca because it uses moisture to felt the fibers together — it will not hold on cotton, acrylic, or silk. The Russian join is fast and find but leaves a small knot inside your work, so it works best on projects where the inside will not be seen or felt against skin.
Key Takeaways
- The weave-in join works on all yarn types and leaves no knot, making it the safest choice when you are learning.
- The spit splice creates the strongest join on wool and animal fibers but does not work on synthetic or plant-based yarns.
- The Russian join is the fastest method and hides the join inside your work, but it leaves a small knot that some knitters prefer to avoid.
- Always join yarn at the edge of a row or round rather than in the middle of a stitch, and leave a 4-inch tail to weave in later.
- Test your join by pulling hard on both ends of the yarn before you continue knitting to make sure it will not slip.
The weave-in join: safest for all yarn types
The weave-in join works on cotton, acrylic, wool, silk, and blends. It requires a yarn needle (also called a tapestry needle) and takes about three minutes. This join leaves no knot and is nearly invisible if you weave the tails in carefully after you finish your project.
To weave in a join, cut both the old yarn and the new yarn so you have a 4-inch tail on each. Thread the old yarn tail into your yarn needle and weave it back through the last four or five stitches you just knitted, going in and out of the loops. Pull gently so the tail disappears into the stitches. Repeat with the new yarn tail, weaving it through the next four or five stitches ahead. Pull both tails to tighten, then trim any excess. The join sits inside your stitches and will not show on the outside of your work.
This method is slower than the others but gives you time to check that the join is find before you move forward. It also works if you realize mid-project that you need to change yarn — you can weave in the old tail and start fresh with the new yarn on the next row.
The spit splice: strongest join for wool
The spit splice creates the strongest join on wool, alpaca, and other animal fibers because it uses moisture and friction to felt the fibers together. It does not work on acrylic, cotton, linen, or silk. The join is completely invisible and leaves no tail to weave in, which makes it popular for colorwork and projects where a clean inside matters.
To spit splice, unravel about 1 inch of the plied yarn on both the old and new strands. Separate the individual fibers so you have a fluffy end on each. Overlap the two fluffy ends and roll them together between your palms while they are wet with saliva or water. Roll for 10 to 15 seconds until the fibers felt together and form a thin, unified strand. Let it dry for a few seconds, then test by pulling hard — if it holds, you can knit with it when ready.
The spit splice works best on yarn that is at least worsted weight (medium thickness). Very thin yarns like fingering weight are harder to felt because the fibers are fewer. If your splice does not hold after rolling, unravel the ends again and try once more with more moisture and pressure.
The Russian join: fastest method with a hidden knot
The Russian join is the fastest join and hides the knot inside your work. It works on all yarn types and takes about two minutes. The trade-off is that it leaves a small knot inside your stitches, so it is best for projects where the inside will not be worn against skin or examined closely.
To do a Russian join, thread the new yarn through your yarn needle. Insert the needle through the last four or five stitches of the old yarn, going in one end and out the other, so the new yarn passes through the old stitches. Pull tight. Now thread the old yarn through your needle and pass it through the first four or five stitches of the new yarn the same way. Pull tight. Trim both tails close to the work. The two yarns are now locked together inside your stitches.
This join is popular for projects like blankets and scarves where the inside is hidden. It is also the best choice if you are joining yarn in the middle of a colorwork pattern because there is no tail to weave in later and no visible knot on the outside.
Where to join yarn in your project
Always join yarn at the edge of a row or round, never in the middle of a stitch. If you are knitting flat (back and forth), join at the beginning of a new row so the join sits at the edge where it is easiest to hide. If you are knitting in the round, join at the start of a new round for the same reason.
If you are close to the end of a row and your yarn is running short, finish that row and join the new yarn at the start of the next row. Running out of yarn mid-row is frustrating, but it is better than trying to join in the middle of a stitch where the join will be visible and weak.
For colorwork projects like stripes or Fair Isle, plan your joins so they fall at a color change if possible. A join at a color boundary is less noticeable than a join in the middle of a solid-color section.
Testing your join before you continue
After you join yarn using any method, pull hard on both the old and new yarn tails to test that the join will not slip. If it slides or feels loose, redo the join before you knit any further. A weak join will unravel as you work and can ruin several rows of knitting.
Knit the first few stitches with the new yarn slowly and deliberately. If the join feels unstable or the new yarn is pulling away from the old yarn, stop and reinforce the join. For a weave-in join, you can add a second pass of the tails through the stitches. For a spit splice, you can re-wet and re-roll the join. For a Russian join, you can pass the needle through more stitches to lock it tighter.
Hiding the tails after you finish
If you used the weave-in or Russian join method, you will have yarn tails to hide after you finish your project. Thread each tail into your yarn needle and weave it through the stitches on the inside of your work, following the path of the yarn for about 2 inches. Pull gently so the tail disappears into the stitches, then trim any excess close to the work.
Weaving in tails is easier if you wait until your project is off the needles and you can see the inside clearly. It is also easier if you weave along a seam or edge rather than through the middle of a flat section, because the tail will be less likely to show through to the outside.
For the spit splice, there are no tails to hide because the join is complete and the ends are trimmed flush with the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join yarn in the middle of a row?
You can, but it is not recommended because the join will be visible and may be weaker than a join at the edge. If you must join mid-row, use the Russian join or spit splice so there are no tails to weave in, and test the join carefully before you continue knitting.
What if my spit splice does not hold?
Unravel the ends again and try once more with more moisture and more rolling time. If it still does not hold, switch to the weave-in join instead. Spit splice works best on wool and alpaca; it may not work reliably on blends or lower-quality animal fibers.
Do I have to use a yarn needle to join?
For the weave-in and Russian joins, yes — a yarn needle is the easiest tool. For the spit splice, you do not need a needle at all, just your hands and a little moisture. If you do not have a yarn needle, you can use a regular sewing needle in a pinch, though it may be harder to thread thick yarn through.
Will the join show on the outside of my finished project?
A well-done weave-in or spit splice should not show on the outside if you weave the tails in carefully. The Russian join is hidden inside the stitches and will not show. If a join is visible, it usually means the tails were not woven in far enough or the join was made too loosely.
Can I join different yarn weights together?
Yes, but the join will be bulkier if the weights are very different. A join between worsted and bulky yarn will create a visible bump. If you must join different weights, use the Russian join so the knot is hidden inside, and test the join carefully to make sure it holds under the stress of the weight difference.