Joining Yarn in Knitting: Best Ways to Join Yarn for Beginners

Joining Yarn in Knitting   by Janice Jones  Last Updated May 8, 2026

Every knitter eventually runs out of yarn in the middle of a project. The good news is that joining a new ball of yarn is easier than most beginners expect. The challenge is choosing the right method for your project because some joins are nearly invisible while others are faster or more secure. In this guide, you’ll learn several beginner-friendly ways to join yarn in knitting, when to use each one, and how to avoid bulky knots or weak joins.

knitted fabric in different colored stripes

Joining yarn in knitting is usually as simple as dropping the old yarn and beginning to knit with the new yarn while leaving yarn tails to weave in later. Many knitters use different joining methods depending on the project, yarn type, and whether they want the join to be fast, strong, or nearly invisible. For beginners, the easiest and most reliable method is often to start the new yarn at the beginning of a row and weave in the ends afterward.

Why Join a New Yarn?

When you reach the end of one skein and need to add another, having a method for joining one yarn end to the other is vital.  However, there may be other reasons why you would want to join two yarns together.

Sometimes the yarn has an imperfection or is not uniform.  If you encounter a yarn section that is spun too thick, you may want to cut that part out so the piece you are working on is uniform.

If you are making something that requires more than one color, you will need a way to join the new color.

Sometimes, especially in less expensive yarns, you will discover a knot in the yarn.  You won't want to continue knitting the knot into your fabric, and the best way to deal with it is to cut it out.

Which Yarn Join Should You Use?

Different joins work better for different projects, so use this chart as a quick guide before choosing a method.

If You Are... Best Yarn Join to Use Why This Works Best
A brand-new beginner Drop the old yarn and start the new yarn It is the simplest method and does not require making a knot.
Changing colors at the beginning of a row Drop the old yarn and start the new yarn It gives you a clean color change and works well for stripes.
Knitting a blanket, scarf, or textured stitch pattern Magic knot The knot is small and secure, and textured stitches help hide it.
Knitting smooth stockinette stitch Drop the old yarn and weave in the ends later Knots can show on smooth fabric, so woven-in ends usually look neater.
Using bulky yarn Knit with both ends for a few stitches This avoids adding a large knot that could create an obvious bump.
Using slippery yarn Weaver's knot or woven-in ends Slippery yarns can work loose, so the join needs extra security.
Joining yarn in the middle of a row Magic knot or knit with both ends These methods let you add yarn without waiting until the edge of the row.
Making a garment or visible project Weave in the ends carefully For sweaters, shawls, and other visible projects, a smooth finish usually matters more than speed.

Which Yarn Join Is Least Visible?

If you want your yarn join to blend into your knitting as smoothly as possible, avoid large knots whenever you can. Thick or bulky knots may create noticeable bumps, especially on smooth stitch patterns like stockinette stitch.
For most knitting projects, the least visible joins are usually:

  • Dropping the old yarn and weaving in the ends later
  • The Russian join
  • Spit splicing (for non-superwash wool only)

Many experienced knitters prefer weaving in the yarn ends later because it creates a flatter, smoother finish. Although it takes a little more time, it often looks the neatest in sweaters, shawls, and garments where the front of the fabric is highly visible.

Why Knots Sometimes Show

Knots tend to stand out most on smooth fabrics like stockinette stitch because the surface is flat and even. A knot can create a small bump that draws attention, especially if the yarn is thick or tightly spun.

Textured stitch patterns such as garter stitch, seed stitch, ribbing, and some cable patterns can help hide joins more successfully because the fabric already has bumps and texture.

To join new yarn at the beginning of a row, all you need to do is drop the old yarn, pick up the new yarn, and continue knitting the new yarn.  This could be the preferred method if your project requires stripes of color.  Here are a couple of ways of doing just that.

Step-by-Step Ways to Join Yarn in Knitting

1. Drop the Old, Start the New

How to change colors at the end or beginning of a row.

This is the easiest way to join a new ball of yarn.

Stop knitting when you have about a five or six-inch tail.  Place your needle as if to knit the next stitch, but don't use your old yarn tail.  Holding the new yarn in place with your other fingers, loop it over the left hand or working needle, then complete the stitch with the new yarn.  Repeat this for about three stitches.

Be sure to hold the new yarn in place so it doesn't accidentally unravel.  That first stitch is going to be loose, so hold on to the yarn as you work.

No knots, no fuss. 

You may decide to weave the ends in after a few rows of knitting or at the end of your project.  Once you've knitted about 3 stitches, it should be secure enough that you won't need to worry about unraveling.  

Pros:

  • Super Easy

Cons:

  • Creates a hole between the last stitch and the beginning stitch of the new yarn. Each end needs to be woven in, going in the opposite direction, to close the hole.

2. Tie a Magic Knot

There's really no magic in this method, but the knot is tight and won't unravel like a standard knot. Remember to trim the knots very close to where you tie them. The knot should be held on the back of the fabric.  

Pros

  • It's not likely to unravel
  • Makes a tight knot
  • Good for garter stitch and other textured stitches
  • Can be used in the middle of the row for multicolor patterns

Cons:

  • Not good for use in stockinette stitch
  • Can possibly come undone if used with slippery yarn or if the knot is not tightened securely.

Avoid this method if:

  • You are knitting smooth stockinette
  • The fabric will stretch heavily
  • The yarn is very slippery

Learn more about the knit magic knot.

How to Make a Magic Knot?

How to make the magic knot, step 1
How to Make the Magic Knot, Step 2
How to Make the Magic Knot, Step 3

Lay both pieces of yarn parallel, with ends facing and overlapping about four inches.

With ends of the new yarn,  tie a knot tightly around the old yarn.  With the ends of the old yarn, tie a knot tightly around the new yarn.

Pull the yarns apart so that the knots slide together.  Pull tightly to secure.  Trim the yarn ends but save enough to weave in.  More about making the magic knot.

3. Slip Knot

How to make a slip knot

Make a slip knot with the new ball of yarn.  Place the slipknot onto your working needle.  With your other needle, slip the last stitch over the slip knot and knit/purl as usual.   If you decide to use a slip knot, don't cut the yarn ends too loose.  Leave about a 3 inch tail and weave in the ends

Pros:

  • Very easy beginner technique

Cons:

  • Knot will show

4. Square Knot 

How to make a square knot, step 1
How to make a square knot, step 2

I have also seen the square knot referred to as a granny knot.  If you use a square knot, pull it tight and gently push the knot to the back of the fabric.  Do not cut off the ends.  Either weave them into the fabric immediately, or save them and weave in at the end of your project.

5. Weaver's Knot

How to make a weaver's knot step one
How to make a weaver's knot, step 2
How to make a weaver's knot, step 3

The weaver's knot is good if you have to join two yarns that have different thicknesses. It's easy and creates a similar knot as the square knot.

6. Knit With Both Ends at the Same Time

Hold both the end of the old ball next to the end of the new ball and use both to knit at the same time for about four stitches.  Drop the old ball and just use the new ball. 

When knitting the return row, you will see that those four stitches may look like double stitches.  Don't knit each one separately, just knit the two as one stitch.

Pros:

  • Easy and fast method

Cons:

  • Be sure to knit two stitches together or you will end up increasing your stitches.
  • The four stitches you knit with both ends may show especially on a stockinette stitch pattern.

7. Russian Join

Many knitters consider the Russian join one of the neatest ways to join yarn because it avoids bulky knots and leaves fewer ends to weave in later. The Russian join is popular because it creates a strong join without leaving long yarn tails to weave in later. Instead of tying a knot, the yarn ends are threaded back through themselves using a yarn needle.

Best for:

  • Smooth yarns
  • Garments and accessories
  • Projects where you want a cleaner finish

Not Ideal:

  • Bulky yarns
  • Delicate lace
  • Yarns that split easily

Common Mistakes When Joining Yarn in Knitting

Joining a new ball of yarn is not difficult, but beginners often run into a few common problems the first several times they try it. Fortunately, most yarn-joining mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to watch for.

Cutting the Yarn Tails Too Short

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is trimming the yarn ends immediately after joining. Short tails can work themselves loose over time, especially after washing or wearing the finished project.

As a general rule, leave at least a 4 to 6-inch tail, so you have enough yarn to weave in your ends securely later.

Pulling the Join Too Tight

It is natural to tug tightly on a new join to make it feel secure, but pulling too hard can make the stitches pucker or look uneven.

Try to keep the tension similar to the rest of your knitting so the join blends smoothly into the fabric.

Joining Yarn in a Very Visible Spot

If possible, avoid joining yarn in the center front of a garment or in the middle of smooth stockinette stitch, where the join may stand out.

Many knitters prefer to join yarn:

  • Near the edge of the work
  • At the beginning of a row
  • Inside a seam area
  • In textured stitch patterns that help hide the join

Using Large Knots in Smooth Fabrics

Big knots may feel secure, but they often create noticeable lumps in smooth knitting patterns. This is especially true with lightweight yarns and garments that drape close to the body.

For stockinette stitch or wearable items, many experienced knitters prefer weaving in ends instead of relying on bulky knots.

Forgetting to Weave in the Ends Securely

Even if the join itself feels strong, loose yarn tails can slowly work their way out of the fabric over time.

Weaving in the ends carefully helps:

  • Reduce visible gaps
  • Keep the join smooth and flexible
  • Make the project look more professional

Using the Wrong Join for the Yarn Type

Not every joining method works well with every yarn. Slippery acrylic yarns, fuzzy novelty yarns, bulky yarns, and smooth cotton yarns may all behave differently.

For example:

  • Magic knots may slip in very slippery yarns
  • Spit splicing only works with feltable animal fibers
  • Bulky knots may show heavily in thick yarns

If one joining method does not work well for your project, try another. Most knitters experiment with several techniques before finding their favorites.

Accidentally Adding Extra Stitches

When using the “knit with both ends” method, beginners sometimes mistake the doubled stitches for separate stitches on the next row. This can accidentally increase the stitch count.

If you knit with both yarns together for several stitches, remember to treat each doubled stitch as one stitch when you work the next row.

Thinking There Is Only One “Correct” Method

Many beginners worry that they are joining yarn the “wrong” way. In reality, experienced knitters often use different methods depending on the yarn, stitch pattern, and project.

The best yarn join is usually the one that:

  • Feels secure
  • Looks neat in your fabric
  • Works well for your yarn type
  • Matches your comfort level and skill

If your first few joins look messy, don't get discouraged. Yarn joining becomes much easier with practice, and even skilled knitters occasionally redo a join they do not like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to join yarn in knitting?

The best way to join yarn depends on your project and the type of yarn you are using. Many beginners prefer simply dropping the old yarn and starting the new yarn because it is easy and reliable. Other knitters may prefer methods such as the magic knot, Russian join, or weaving in the ends later for a smoother finish.

Can you tie knots in knitting?

Yes, you can tie knots in knitting, but many knitters try to avoid large knots because they can create noticeable bumps in the fabric. Small, secure knots such as the magic knot may work well in textured stitch patterns, blankets, or scarves. For garments and smooth fabrics, woven-in ends often look neater.

Which yarn join is the least visible?

The least visible joins are usually the Russian join, the spit splice, or simply weaving in the yarn ends later. These methods help reduce bulky knots and create a smoother finish, especially in stockinette stitch or lightweight garments.

Do I have to weave in the yarn ends?

In most cases, yes. Even if you use a knot to secure the yarn, weaving in the ends helps prevent unraveling and makes the project look more finished. Carefully woven ends are usually more durable and less noticeable over time.

Can you join yarn in the middle of a row?

Yes, sometimes joining yarn in the middle of a row is unavoidable, especially when working with color changes or if the yarn runs out unexpectedly. Methods such as the magic knot or knitting with both yarns together can work well for mid-row joins.

What is the easiest yarn join for beginners?

The easiest method for beginners is usually to stop using the old yarn and begin knitting with the new yarn while leaving tails to weave in later. This method is simple, flexible, and works well for many projects.

Does the type of yarn matter when joining yarn?

Absolutely. Wool, acrylic, cotton, and slippery synthetic yarns all behave differently. Some joining methods work better with certain yarn fibers than others. For example, spit splicing only works with feltable animal fibers such as non-superwash wool.

Can you join yarn without knots?

Yes. Many knitters prefer knot-free joins, such as weaving in the ends later, the Russian join, or spit splicing, because they create a smoother finish with less bulk.

Conclusion

Joining yarn in knitting may feel awkward the first few times you try it, but it quickly becomes a normal part of the knitting process. Most knitters experiment with several joining methods before discovering which ones they prefer for different yarns and projects.

Some joins are fast and simple, while others create a smoother or more invisible finish. The best method is usually the one that feels secure, works well with your yarn, and gives you results you are happy with.

If your first few joins look loose, bulky, or uneven, don't worry. Even experienced knitters occasionally redo a join they do not like. With practice, you will become more comfortable changing colors, adding new skeins, and choosing the best join for each project.

The important thing is to keep knitting. Every project helps you build confidence, improve your skills, and discover new techniques that make knitting easier and more enjoyable.

Pin for Future Reference

How to Join yarns and change colors, pinnable image.

You might like these