The weaver's knot and the Russian join are the two methods that avoid a knot entirely

A knot in your yarn creates a lump that shows on the finished fabric and can work loose over time. The weaver's knot — also called a bend knot — interlocks two yarn ends so tightly that they hold without a knot. The Russian join threads the yarn through its own stitches, hiding the join completely inside the fabric. Both methods work with most yarn weights, though the Russian join works best on yarn thicker than fingering weight.

Which method you choose depends on where you are in your project. If you are joining yarn mid-row or mid-project, the weaver's knot is faster and works in your hands. If you are joining at the start of a new row or section, the Russian join is invisible and stronger, but it takes a few extra minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • The weaver's knot interlocks two yarn ends without a knot and works quickly in your hands during any part of your project.
  • The Russian join threads yarn through its own stitches and hides the join inside the fabric, making it invisible on the finished piece.
  • The weaver's knot works on all yarn weights but can slip on very slippery yarn like silk or bamboo.
  • The Russian join works best on yarn thicker than fingering weight and requires a yarn needle with an eye large enough for your yarn.
  • Both methods are stronger than a square knot and will not come undone during washing or blocking.

How to tie a weaver's knot

Hold the old yarn in your left hand and the new yarn in your right hand, with both ends pointing away from you. Make a loop with the old yarn by crossing the working yarn over the tail. Hold the loop open with your left thumb and forefinger.

Thread the new yarn through the loop from underneath, then wrap it around behind the loop and back through from the top. Pull both working yarns (the long ends) away from each other firmly. The two short ends will slide together and lock. Trim the tails to about a quarter inch.

The weaver's knot holds because the two yarns wrap around each other under tension. It will not slip even on slippery yarn if you pull the working ends hard enough. Practice on scrap yarn first — the motion becomes automatic after three or four tries.

How to do a Russian join

Thread the old yarn tail through a yarn needle. Insert the needle through the last four or five stitches of the old yarn, going in one direction along the row. Pull the yarn through, leaving a small loop at the end. Repeat in the opposite direction through the same stitches. Trim the tail close to the fabric.

Now thread the new yarn tail through the needle. Insert it through the same stitches you just used, following the path of the old yarn. Pull it through firmly. Trim this tail as well. The two yarn ends are now locked inside the stitches and will not slip out.

The Russian join works because the yarn is threaded through the structure of the knit itself. It is strongest on yarn thick enough that the needle passes through easily — on very thin yarn, the needle can split the fibers instead of passing between them. If your yarn is fingering weight or thinner, the weaver's knot is the better choice.

When to use each method during your project

Use the weaver's knot when you run out of yarn mid-row or need to join quickly. It takes about 30 seconds and requires only your hands. The knot sits between the two working yarns, so it travels along with your stitches as you knit. On most projects it ends up inside the fabric where it is not visible, but on very open stitch patterns it may show slightly.

Use the Russian join at the start of a new row, at the beginning of a new section, or whenever you have time to work carefully. It is completely invisible on the finished fabric because the join lives inside the stitches themselves. It also distributes the join across several stitches instead of concentrating it in one spot, which makes it stronger on delicate or lacy projects.

If you are joining in the middle of a colorwork pattern or stranded knitting, the weaver's knot is your only option — you cannot thread the Russian join through stitches that are actively being worked with two colors.

Why these methods are stronger than a square knot

A square knot (the knot most people tie by habit) relies on friction between two rope ends. It can slip under tension, especially on smooth yarn. The weaver's knot interlocks the two yarns so that pulling one end actually tightens the grip of the other. The Russian join anchors both yarn ends into the fabric structure itself.

Both methods will survive washing, blocking, and years of wear. A square knot can work loose during the first wash, especially if the yarn is slippery or the knot was tied loosely. If you have already tied a square knot in your project, you can go back and hide it by threading both ends through a yarn needle and running them through nearby stitches, similar to the Russian join method.

Troubleshooting the weaver's knot

If the knot slips when you pull the working yarns, you did not pull hard enough or the loop was too loose. Redo it and pull the working yarns away from each other with real force — the knot should feel solid and immovable. On very slippery yarn like silk or bamboo, pull even harder, or switch to the Russian join instead.

If the knot is too bulky and shows in your finished fabric, you can trim the tails shorter before you start knitting. Leave only an eighth of an inch instead of a quarter inch. The knot will still hold, and it will be less visible. On projects where appearance matters most, use the Russian join to hide the join completely.

Troubleshooting the Russian join

If the yarn tail pulls back out when you tug on it, you did not thread it through enough stitches. Go back and thread it through at least six stitches instead of four. Pull the yarn firmly as you thread so it sits snugly inside the stitches.

If the needle will not pass through the stitches cleanly, your yarn is too thin for the Russian join. Switch to the weaver's knot instead. On fingering-weight yarn, the needle can split the fibers and weaken the yarn. If you are committed to the Russian join on thin yarn, use a needle with a very small eye and thread it carefully, but the weaver's knot will be faster and just as strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the weaver's knot on very thick yarn like roving or jumbo weight?

Yes, the weaver's knot works on all yarn weights. On very thick yarn, the loop will be larger and the motion takes a bit longer, but the principle is the same. Make sure you pull the working yarns hard enough that the knot locks firmly — thick yarn can sometimes slip if the knot is loose.

Will the Russian join show if I use it on the edge of my project?

No, the Russian join is hidden inside the stitches. It will not show on the edge or anywhere else on the finished fabric. This is why it is the best choice for projects where appearance matters, like shawls or garments in solid colors.

What if I need to join yarn in the middle of a cable or textured stitch?

Use the weaver's knot. The Russian join requires you to thread through existing stitches in a straight line, which is difficult or impossible in cables or raised textures. The weaver's knot works anywhere because it sits between the two working yarns and moves with your stitches.

Can I use these methods to join yarn at the very beginning of a project?

Yes, both methods work at the cast-on edge. For the Russian join, thread the new yarn through the cast-on stitches instead of working stitches. For the weaver's knot, tie it and then cast on with both ends held together as one. Trim the tails after you have knitted a few rows and the join is find.

Do I need a special yarn needle for the Russian join?

You need a needle with an eye large enough for your yarn to pass through easily. A tapestry needle works for most weights. For very thick yarn, a plastic yarn needle or a size 50 tapestry needle gives you more room. For very thin yarn, a size 24 tapestry needle is small enough to thread without splitting fibers.