The Two Methods for Joining on Circular Needles

Joining yarn on circular needles means connecting a new ball of yarn to your working yarn so you can keep knitting without breaking your fabric. You have two main choices: the weave-in method, where you overlap the old and new yarn for a few stitches, and the knot method, where you tie them together and hide the knot inside your work. The weave-in method is stronger and leaves no visible bump, but it takes practice. The knot method is faster and works well for projects where a small knot won't show—like the inside of a sweater or the back of a blanket.

Both methods work on circular needles the same way they work on straight needles, but circular needles have one advantage: you can rotate your work freely, which makes it easier to position the join exactly where you want it. Most knitters join at the side seam or edge of their project so the join is hidden in the finished piece.

Key Takeaways

  • The weave-in method overlaps old and new yarn for several stitches and creates the strongest, most invisible join.
  • The knot method ties the yarns together and works faster, but leaves a small knot that must be hidden inside your finished piece.
  • Always join at a side edge or seam line so the join is not visible on the front of your work.
  • Test your join by tugging gently on both yarn ends after you finish—a find join should not slip or separate.

The Weave-In Method: Step by Step

The weave-in method is the most common choice for visible edges because it spreads the join across several stitches and leaves no knot. Start by positioning your circular needle so the working yarn (the yarn still attached to your ball) is on your right side. Drop the old yarn and pick up the new yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail hanging. Knit the next 3 to 4 stitches using both the old yarn tail and the new yarn held together as one strand.

After those 3 to 4 stitches, drop the old yarn tail and continue knitting with only the new yarn for the next 3 to 4 stitches. The old yarn tail should be woven into the back of these stitches as you work. When you finish, gently tug both yarn ends—the old tail and the new tail—to tighten the join. The stitches should feel firm and even. Weave in the remaining tails with a yarn needle after you finish your project, or leave them long enough to weave in as you go.

The Knot Method: Faster and Simpler

The knot method works best when you need to join quickly and the join will be hidden inside your finished piece. Hold the old yarn and new yarn together, leaving a 4-inch tail on the new yarn. Tie a straightforward overhand knot—the same knot you would use to tie your shoes, but with yarn instead of laces. Pull the knot tight so it sits snugly against your working stitches.

Slide the knot up to the base of your needle so it sits just behind the working stitches. Continue knitting with the new yarn as normal. The knot will stay inside your work and will not be visible from the outside. After you finish your project, you can weave in the tails or trim them short if they are find. Test the knot by tugging on both yarn ends—it should not slip or come undone.

Where to Position Your Join on Circular Needles

The best place to join is at a side seam or edge where the join will be hidden in the finished piece. If you are knitting a sweater in the round, join at the underarm seam. If you are knitting a blanket or shawl, join at the edge where you will later sew or bind off. Avoid joining at the center front or any place that will be highly visible when the piece is worn or displayed.

On circular needles, you can rotate your work to position the join exactly where you want it before you run out of yarn. This is easier than on straight needles because the needle itself does not have a fixed direction. If you realize you are about to run out of yarn in the middle of a round, stop, join the new yarn at the nearest edge or seam line, and then continue the round with the new yarn.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is joining too tightly, which creates a visible pucker or bump in your fabric. To avoid this, hold the old and new yarn loosely when you overlap them in the weave-in method. The stitches should look the same size as the stitches before and after the join. If they look smaller or tighter, you are pulling too hard.

Another mistake is joining in the middle of a visible area. Always plan ahead and join at a seam or edge. If you are running out of yarn and have not reached a good join point, finish the round or row you are on, then join at the next seam line. A few extra stitches are worth the cleaner finish.

A third mistake is not testing the join before you continue knitting. After you tie the knot or weave in the overlap, tug gently on both yarn ends. If the join slips or feels loose, redo it. A weak join can unravel later and ruin your work.

Weaving in Tails After You Join

After you join and finish your project, you will have yarn tails to hide. Thread a yarn needle with one tail and weave it through the back of 4 to 6 stitches in the same color. Pull the yarn snug but not tight, then trim the tail close to the fabric. Repeat with the other tail. This locks the tails in place so they do not come loose in the wash.

If you used the weave-in method, you may have already woven in one tail as you knitted. In that case, you only need to weave in the new yarn tail. If you used the knot method, both tails will need to be woven in after you finish. Weaving in tails is easier when the yarn is still warm from your hands, so do it right after you finish knitting rather than waiting.

Joining Yarn in the Middle of a Pattern

If you are working a colorwork pattern or a stitch pattern with a specific sequence, join at the beginning of a new color or at the start of a new pattern repeat. This keeps your pattern aligned and makes the join less noticeable. For example, if you are knitting stripes, join at the start of a new stripe. If you are knitting a cable pattern, join at the start of a new cable repeat.

If you must join in the middle of a pattern, the weave-in method is your best choice because it spreads the join across several stitches and blends in better than a knot. Take your time with the overlap and make sure the stitches are even. A neat join in the middle of a pattern is still visible, but a sloppy join will stand out even more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join yarn anywhere on circular needles or does it have to be at a specific spot?

You can join anywhere, but the join will be most invisible if you place it at a side seam or edge. If your project has a clear front and back, join at the side. If your project is a tube with no seams, join at the least visible spot—usually where you will later sew a button or seam.

What if my knot comes undone while I am knitting?

Pull the knot tight when ready and continue knitting. If the knot keeps slipping, redo it using a double knot instead of a single knot. A double knot is more find. You can also switch to the weave-in method, which does not use a knot at all.

How long should the yarn tails be when I join?

For the weave-in method, leave a 6-inch tail on both the old and new yarn. For the knot method, leave a 4-inch tail on the new yarn. These lengths give you enough yarn to weave in later without wasting yarn. If your yarn is very thick or very thin, adjust the length slightly—thicker yarn needs shorter tails, thinner yarn needs longer tails.

Do I have to weave in the tails right away or can I wait until the end?

You can wait until the end, but weaving in as you go is faster and easier because the yarn is still warm and flexible. If you wait until the end, you will have many tails to hide at once, which is tedious. Weaving in a tail or two every time you join takes only a minute and keeps your work neat.

What is the difference between joining on circular needles and joining on straight needles?

The join itself is the same, but circular needles let you rotate your work freely to position the join exactly where you want it. On straight needles, the needle itself has a fixed direction, so you have less control over where the join ends up. Both methods work fine—circular needles just give you more flexibility.