While knitting, you might face a situation where you need to join yarn. Maybe it’s a new color or even the same as you have run out of yarn. You might be wondering how to do so? There are many ways to join yarn while knitting. When working with circular knitting needles, you can join the yarn at any point in the project. The basic method of joining the yarn in knitting projects is not the best option when you are knitting in the round on circular needles. You have to make sure that you do not leave ends that must be woven in the seams and also do it without being visible. In this blog post, we will discuss three ways to join yarn while knitting round with circular needles that result in no tail at all.
Before that, let's talk a little bit about knitting needles used to knit in the round. You can use fixed circulars as well as interchangeable needles if you prefer the circular range of knitting needles. A set of five double-pointed needles also work for knitting in the round. Depending upon your preference and ease, you can choose the knitting needles. Make sure to find needles with smooth tapered tips that work with all types of yarn and that feel smooth to work with. If you want to know more, we have it covered in our previous blog on knitting in the round with circular needles.
So, let’s get back to the methods to join yarn in the round on circular needles
1. Using the Russian join
The Russian join is also known as the magical knot. It is a clever way or rather the least visible way to combine two strands of yarn together. With this method, you can weave the yarn ends into the strands of yarn rather than the knitting project. It works best for any yarn fiber.
Knit according to the pattern (if you are following one) or according to your planned pattern until about 8–10″ of the old yarn remains. With the old yarn loop the end of the new yarn so that about a 3″ tail of yarn on each length is overlapping.
Thread the end of the old yarn through the darning needle and insert it into the new yarn.
Pull the needle through the length of yarn, bringing the tail out where the needle tip emerged.
Repeat the steps of weaving in the old yarn with the new yarn with the darning needles.
Hold one of the linked loops between your thumb and finger, then pull on the tail end of the other strand. Your loop is almost completely pulled through the core of the strand.
Pull the tail end of the other strand until its loop is buried in the core of the strand as well. Smooth out the yarns and trim off the tail ends.
The old and new yarn strands have been woven into each other and emerged as a single yarn.
Now, you can continue with your knitting pattern.
2. Weaving in ends
Knit till you have about 6 inches of yarn left of the ball. Now take the new yarn end and put it through a darning needle. As you will weave in ends, make sure that the yarn is on the wrong side of the knitting project.
On the wrong side, weave the needle and yarn across a row. Weave under the purl stitches, that form bumps sometimes called back loops of the stitches. Weave in the yarn through at least 4 stitches or 6 till you feel confident.
Move to the round below and weave back the new yarn, this time in the opposite direction.
It is recommended to weave through reverse directions at least twice, passing through at least 4 stitches per round.
Once you weave the yarn in, gently smooth the fabric into shape and then clip the yarn tail close to the fabric.
You can continue as planned when you have the new yarn in place.
3. Splicing yarns (spit splice)
This method is most appropriate for yarns that have a little “toothiness” to them for them to be effective.
Work with your old yarn until a 6-inch tail remains. Untwist about 4 inches of both the old and the new yarn. Overlap the strands in your dominant hand and apply a little saliva to them. You can use water if the thought of spitting on your yarn makes you uncomfortable, but saliva contains substances that help bind the fibers together.
Rub the overlapped strands between your palms to help bind and twist them together. You now have one continuous length of yarn.
With this method, you have no added bulk and much less waste, and you can return to knitting in the round with the new yarn in place.
There you have it, the different ways to join yarn when knitting with circular knitting needles. Try one or try them all and you will find what works best. Remember with a little time and practice, one of these will quickly become your favorite method to join yarn while knitting in the round.
You can browse through the Mindful Collection for premium stainless steel circular needles in varieties of both fixed and interchangeable types as well as double-pointed needles along with all tools and accessories. If you want to try our other methods of circular knitting, you can know more from our previous blog on knitting with double pointed needles.
So, the next when you are knitting round with circular needles and need to join new yarn, we got you covered!
