Adding more yarn when knitting is a simple process that involves joining the new yarn end to the working yarn, then continuing to knit with the new strand. This can be done at any point in the project to ensure that you have enough yarn to finish.
Adding more yarn when knitting can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! With the right supplies and some patience, you can easily join new yarn to your project and keep knitting.
In this article we’ll walk you through the steps of adding more yarn so that you can complete your project with ease. So don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Let’s get started.
What You'll Learn
Gather Supplies
To get started, you’ll need to gather up the necessary supplies for your project! Make sure to have all of the items needed on hand before beginning.
This includes a measuring tape or other measuring supplies for determining the size and length of yarn needed for your project. Additionally, choose colors that work well together and coordinate with your design plan. You may also want to consider any special patterns or textures you’d like to include in your piece.
Lastly, it’s important to determine how much yardage is required before starting so you don’t run out mid-project.
Next, it’s time to prepare the new yarn by joining it with the existing strand.
Prepare New Yarn
Before you start knitting with the new yarn, make sure to cut it to the desired length. After cutting, tie a knot at one end of the strand so that it doesn’t unravel while you’re working.
Once both ends are secure, you’re ready to join the new yarn and continue your project!
Cut yarn to desired length
Carefully snip the yarn to your desired length–it’ll feel like you have an infinite amount of yarn at your disposal!
To ensure a neat finish, cut the end of the yarn in a straight line with scissors. If you don’t have scissors handy, there are alternative methods: use a ruler and thread clippers or hold both ends taut and pull apart.
Keep adjusting the tension on the yarn as you snip it so that it doesn’t unravel. Once you’ve cut the new strand to size, move on to tying a knot, transitioning seamlessly into the next step without having to start all over again.
Tie a knot
Tightly secure the two strands of yarn together with a knot, giving you a seamless transition from one project to the next.
Choosing the right yarn for your project is important, as it gives you control over tension and color choice.
To tie a knot in both strands of yarn, hold them side-by-side and wrap one strand around the other several times. Pull firmly on both ends to make sure the knot is tight enough before continuing on with your project.
With this simple technique, you can easily add more yarn when needed for your knitting projects, ensuring that there are no breaks or gaps between pieces.
Join New Yarn to Working Yarn
You’re ready to start a new chapter in your project, and joining the new yarn to the working yarn is like turning the page. Just be sure to make it a secure connection so you can keep knitting without any snags!
To begin with, measure the stitch gauge of both yarns and make sure they are compatible. This will ensure that your tension control remains consistent when you switch from one strand to another.
When you’re happy with the measurements, hold both strands together at the join point and tie a loose knot for extra security. Make sure not to pull it too tight as this could cause issues when knitting with the new yarn.
Once the knot is securely tied, use your fingers or crochet hook to thread one strand through a loop formed by the other strand – this creates an invisible join which is perfect for neat projects such as sweaters or accessories where no joins are visible on either side of work.
If you’d prefer a more visible join then simply lay one end over top of each other and tie them together in an overhand knot. Again, take care not to pull too tightly as this may affect tension control when knitting with two different types of yarns.
To finish off, give your newly joined ends a gentle tug but don’t pull too hard – just enough so that they stay connected while you knit! Now all that’s left is to continue knitting with your new strand; if everything looks good then congratulations – you’ve successfully added more yarn!
Knit with New Yarn
Now that you’ve securely connected the new yarn to the existing strand, it’s time to bring your project to life by knitting with it.
Before you start, however, it’s important to make sure that your gauge is correct and consistent. To do this, knit a gauge swatch with both strands of yarn so that you can convert any patterns and measurements appropriately. Be aware of how many stitches and rows are in each inch so that when you pick up the needles again, they are accurate.
Once your gauge swatch is complete, you can begin knitting with the new yarn. It may feel strange at first if it’s a different texture or weight than what you’re used to working with but keep going; practice makes perfect!
Make sure to pay attention as you knit too as there may be subtle differences between how the two strands work together. If something doesn’t look quite right, don’t be afraid to rip back and try again until everything looks smooth and even.
Knitting with two different types of yarn can also open up more possibilities for colorwork if desired. Experimenting with various combinations of colors can be fun – just remember: tension is key when switching between multiple strands!
The more evenly your knitting looks before joining another strand of yarn, the better results you’ll get in the end. Take care as well not to stretch either yarn too much while working on a piece as this could affect its overall shape and size later down the road once it’s finished being blocked and washed.
With some patience and practice though, soon enough your project will come together beautifully!
Secure New Yarn to Working Yarn
Gently link the new yarn to the existing one, creating a seamless connection before continuing your knitting journey with this vibrant new strand.
The best way to do this is by slip knotting the ends together in a manner that ensures adequate tension control. This will prevent any unevenness in the fabric and make sure that both strands work well together. To create a secure knot, sometimes it can help to twist the two yarns around each other twice before tying them into a secure knot.
After you have created your slip knot, adjust it so that there is no excess slack or tightness between the two strands of yarn.
When knitting with multiple strands of different colors, it’s important to be mindful of how they are connected at all times. As you knit along, maintain even tension on both strands and inspect frequently for any loose knots or unraveling sections. If either happens, simply stop knitting and re-secure the connection between the two yarns using the same technique as before – slip knotting them until they are firmly linked together again.
Finally, give your newly joined yarns a gentle tug from both sides to ensure that everything is secured and will not come apart while you work; then you can continue knitting with confidence! You may also want to weave in both ends after joining them if needed for extra security; this process will be discussed further in our next section about weaving in ends.
Weave in Ends
After joining your yarns together, take a moment to securely weave in the ends for a neat and tidy finish that will stand up to the test of time. To do this, you should use the same method as when you first began knitting with your yarn.
This may include holding both strands of yarn together and then inserting the needle from front-to-back through both strands. Pull the needle through so there’s enough tension for it to be secure but not too tight that it pulls away from the pattern design.
Keep track of how many stitches are on each side when weaving in the end. Adjust tension as needed for an even result between sides. Weaving in ends helps ensure your project remains durable and keeps its shape over time.
It also prevents any loose threads from getting tangled or snagged during wear or washings. Taking advantage of this easy step will help keep your knitwear looking neat and professional throughout its lifetime!
Conclusion
Now you know how to add more yarn when knitting! It’s not difficult, but it does take a bit of patience. Remember that practice makes perfect – the more you do it, the easier it’ll become.
And don’t forget the old adage ‘measure twice, cut once’! This applies here as well; make sure that your new strand is properly joined and secure before continuing to knit with it.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be adding extra yarn like a pro in no time!
