How to Join a New Ball of Yarn
May contain affiliate links (what's this?)Balls of yarn aren’t limitless – they run out! At some point you’ll need to join a new ball of yarn to your knitting.
Here are two ways to do it, including my favourite, stealth way. Never tie a knot to join again!
Join a New Ball of Yarn Video Tutorial
So, you might be wondering, what do you have against knots? Why can’t I just tie a knot to join my new ball of yarn?
The answer is this: even the tightest knots can unravel! So, knots are generally not “safe”. Knots can also make their way to the front of the knitting, marring your beautiful stitches. Not cute!
So, that’s why I’m introducing these two methods for joining new yarn.
Method 1: Drop and Join
Method One involves dropping the old yarn, while leaving a 6″ tail, and then picking up the new yarn. Continue knitting with the new yarn as if there was no yarn break at all. Use a tapestry needle to weave in the loose yarn tails and close the gap between new and old yarn.
Method 2: A United Join
Method two involves leaving around 10″ of old yarn. Lay the new yarn across the needle, so that its yarn tail sticks out at the front of the knitting. Then hold both the old and new yarn together as if they were one big yarn strand.
Knit three stitches with the joined yarns. Let go of the old yarn, pick up the new yarn and continue knitting with the new yarn. When you’ve finished your project, weave in the old and new yarn strands.
And that’s two ways to join a new ball of yarn to your knitting! Personally, I like method two because I find that the tension is more even across the new and old yarns. But both methods will work just fine.
If the photo guides above are a bit confusing, check out the video tutorial up top to see both methods in action.
I am new to knitting so I need to learn everything from start to to finish like even dropping stitches and tieing on other yarn
Welcome to the wonderful world of knitting! I hope this site can help you out on your knitting journey!
Hi Davina,
Your tutorials are fantastic. Thank you for helping me learn how to knit with confidence.
I am using a chunky, yarn with a lot of acrylic in it. It’s a good quality yarn and I didn’t realize when I bought it. I’ve never knitted with acrylic. It’s very slippery, and now I need to join a new skein. Will this join stay safely bound together using this method?
Hello! Im new to knitting (too…) and your site is exciting! Thank you!
Do these methods for joining a new ball of yarn also suit to switching colours of yarn when knitting a colourful scarf (for example)?
This is so great ty so much. I don’t knit but really want to. Last week I went to Michael’s twice and walked out. I felt so intimidated. you really put me at ease. tomorrow I’m buying knitting needles and yarn. I’m eager to knit.
then what to do with the dangling pieces in second method?
You can weave them into the knitting with a tapestry needle
Do you have a how to tutorial on weaving in the loose yarn tails with a tapestry needle?
Hi Davina!
Am new to knitting. Your step by step videos were very easy to follow. Thanks to your videos, I am almost done with my first scarf!!!!! So thank you….
Btw do you teach crocheting also?
I love your site! Your videos are so easy to follow and you make it fun!
Thank you so much!
How do you switch to a different color when knitting
Hello! I am new to knitting and really love your website!! Thank you for the great content! I have a question about knitting with multiple balls of yarn but the pattern doesn’t want you to join them. Do you need to cross them over somehow so they stay attached to each other? The pattern I’m working on is for a hat using three balls of yarn at once.