How to Attach New Yarn to a Working Needle

Many knitters prefer to add multiple colors or types of yarn to their projects. They do this by adding horizontal stripes to the beginning of rows, by wrapping new yarn to work small sections through the intarsia method or by joining yarn within rows to complete other colorwork techniques. Regardless of which method you choose to attach new yarn to your working needle, you must always weave in the loose ends once you finish your project to keep your work from unraveling.

Horizontal Striping

Step 1

Work the last wrong-side row of the first color stripe using the main yarn color. Turn the work around.

Step 2

Knit the first stitch of the next row by wrapping the working knitting needle with the contrasting yarn color. Leave the main yarn color hanging from the work. Do this every time you make a new stripe.

Step 3

Work an even number of rows with the contrasting color. If you work two or four rows before switching back to the main color, simply lift the main color and begin to knit the next row with it. Be sure not to pull it too tightly. If you work a stripe that is wider than four rows or introduce more yarn colors, twist the active yarn around the unused yarn every few rows to carry the yarn up the side of the project until it is needed again.

Intarsia Knitting

Step 1

Insert the working needle into the first stitch you wish to add the new yarn. Lay the new yarn over the working needle's tip so that a long tail of the new yarn hangs to the left of the stitch.

Step 2

Move the end of the new yarn that is attached to the ball around and then underneath the old yarn. Wrap the new yarn around the needle and complete the stitch normally.

Step 3

Change back to the first yarn by inserting the working needle into the stitch where you want the change to occur. Lift the first yarn upward and to the left, making sure it lies under the second yarn. Wrap the first yarn around the working needle and complete the stitch normally.

The Common Join

Step 1

Work until there are three stitches in front of the stitch where you wish to change yarns.

Step 2

Loosely tie a knot around the old yarn using the new yarn a few inches below where the yarn joins into the project. Work the next three stitches.

Step 3

Slide the knot upward so that it is directly beside the next stitch. Work the stitch normally with the new yarn.