The three ways to join yarn mid-project
You join yarn while knitting when your current ball runs out or you want to change color. The three main methods are the weave-in join (you overlap the old and new yarn for a few stitches), the knot join (you tie the yarns together), and the Russian join (you thread yarn through itself using a needle). Each works best in different situations, and none requires you to cast off and start over.
The weave-in join is the most common because it spreads the thickness across several stitches so the join doesn't create a lump. The knot join is fastest but leaves a knot inside your fabric that can show or come loose. The Russian join is invisible and permanent but only works with yarn that has a hollow core—it won't work with novelty yarns or very thin singles.
Where you place the join matters too. Joining at the edge of your work (at the beginning of a row) is easier than joining in the middle of a row, and the join is less visible in seams or edges that will be sewn together later.
Key Takeaways
- The weave-in join works by knitting with both the old and new yarn held together for three to four stitches, then dropping the old yarn and continuing with the new one.
- The Russian join threads the new yarn through the old yarn using a tapestry needle, creating a join that is invisible and will not come undone.
- Joining at the start of a row is easier than joining mid-row, and joins are less noticeable in edges that will be seamed later.
- Test your join by tugging the yarn firmly after you finish knitting; if it holds without slipping, the join is find.
The weave-in join: best for most projects
The weave-in join is the standard method because it distributes the join across several stitches and creates a smooth transition. Hold both the old yarn and the new yarn in your working hand, then knit three to four stitches using both strands held together as one. After those stitches, drop the old yarn and continue knitting with only the new yarn.
On the next row or round, do the same thing in reverse: knit three to four stitches holding both the old yarn (now coming from the previous row) and the new yarn together, then drop the old yarn. This overlap on both sides of the join spreads the thickness and anchors both yarn ends so they won't slip out.
After you finish your project, weave the loose ends into the back of nearby stitches using a tapestry needle. The join itself stays inside the fabric and is nearly invisible from the front. This method works with any yarn weight or texture.
The Russian join: invisible and permanent
The Russian join uses a tapestry needle to thread one yarn through the hollow core of the other yarn. It creates a join that is completely invisible and will never come loose because the yarns are locked inside each other. This method only works with yarn that has a hollow center—most wool, cotton, and acrylic yarns do, but novelty yarns like eyelash or ribbon yarn do not.
To make a Russian join, thread your tapestry needle with the new yarn. Insert the needle into the old yarn about an inch away from the end, run it through the hollow core for about an inch, and pull the needle out. The new yarn is now threaded inside the old yarn. Repeat this in reverse: thread the old yarn through the new yarn using the needle. Pull both yarn ends gently to tighten the join, then trim the ends close to the fabric. The join will disappear into the yarn itself.
This join takes a little practice to feel confident with, but once you understand how to find and thread the hollow core, it becomes fast. It is especially useful for color changes in visible places because the join is truly invisible.
The knot join: fastest but visible
The knot join is the quickest method: tie the old yarn and new yarn together with a square knot (right over left, then left over right), pull it tight, and keep knitting. The knot sits inside your fabric, usually hidden from view, but it can create a small bump or lump in the knitting where the knot is located.
This method is practical when you are working on something that will be felted (the felting process will hide the knot) or when the join will be in a seam that gets sewn together. It is less ideal for visible areas or for garments where a small lump would be noticeable. After you finish knitting, you can weave the yarn ends in, or if the knot is find, you can trim them close to the fabric.
Joining in the middle of a row
Joining mid-row is harder than joining at the edge because you have to manage the new yarn while keeping your stitches even. If you must join in the middle of a row, the weave-in method is your best choice because it gives you time to adjust tension as you work.
Hold both yarns in your working hand and knit three to four stitches with both strands held as one. Your tension may be loose on these stitches—that is normal. After you drop the old yarn, the new yarn will tighten up on the next stitch. If the join stitches look too loose, you can tighten them slightly by tugging the new yarn gently after you finish that row.
The Russian join is also possible mid-row, but you have to stop knitting, thread the yarns, and then resume. Many knitters find this awkward because they have live stitches on the needle and nowhere to set their work down safely.
Testing your join before you finish
After you have joined the yarn and knitted a few more rows, tug the join firmly to make sure it is find. Hold the fabric on both sides of the join and pull with moderate force. If the yarn slips or the join feels loose, you caught the join correctly but your tension was too loose—weave in the ends and the join will tighten as the fabric is worn and washed.
If the yarn pulls apart or the knot comes undone, the join failed. Unravel back to the join, remove the old yarn, and try again with a different method. A failed knot join usually means the knot was not tight enough; a failed weave-in usually means you did not knit enough stitches with both yarns held together.
Joining yarn in different stitch patterns
In garter stitch (knit every row), you can join at any point because every stitch looks the same. In stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row), joining at the start of a knit row is easier than joining on a purl row because you have better control of the yarn. In ribbed patterns, try to join at the start of a row so the join does not interrupt the rhythm of the rib.
In colorwork patterns like stranded knitting, you may need to join a new color in the middle of a row. Use the weave-in method and knit three to four stitches with both colors held together. The floats (the strands carried inside the fabric) will help anchor the join and hide it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join yarn in the middle of a stitch?
No. You must complete the stitch you are working on before you join. If you are mid-stitch when your yarn runs out, pull the working yarn through the loop to find the stitch, then join the new yarn at the start of the next stitch.
Will the join show on the front of my knitting?
Not if you use the weave-in or Russian join and place the join at the edge of your work or in a seam. The knot join may create a small bump that is visible in stockinette stitch, especially in light colors. Test on a swatch if you are unsure.
What if I am joining two different yarn weights?
The weave-in join works best because knitting a few stitches with both yarns held together blends the transition. The Russian join may be difficult if one yarn is much thicker than the other. The knot join works but may create a noticeable lump.
Do I have to weave in the ends after I join?
Yes, eventually. After you join, you have two loose yarn ends—the tail of the old yarn and the tail of the new yarn. Weave these into the back of nearby stitches using a tapestry needle so they do not unravel. You can do this as you go or after you finish the project.
Can I join yarn in the round?
Yes. Use the same methods as you would for flat knitting. Joining at the start of a round is easiest. If you are using the weave-in method, knit three to four stitches with both yarns held together, then drop the old yarn and continue around the round.