by Gen Evera

Created on: May 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 17, 2009

There are a few tricks when combining two balls of yarn during a knitting project. First you must determine the difficulty level of knitting your project. There are six simple steps for the simple knitting projects. Simple knitting projects include knits, knit pearls, and knit-slips. Any patterns more complicated should use a different method of combining two balls of yarn.

The six simple steps for a simple project include:

1) First a plan should be made when the end of the ball of yarn is approaching. You must wisely choose the place in your knitting to include a second ball of yarn. For example along the edge of your work or along the seam would be the most inconspicuous places to include the new ball of yarn.

2) The end of the old ball of yarn should have at least 6 inches left to the yarn or the yarn should be cut to this size. Having the remainder this length will be easier to work with. If the old ball of yarn has less than 6 inches left you should back stitch to the next ideal place of the project (next row) to included the new ball of yarn.

3) To begin the new ball of yarn, hold the remainder of the old ball of yarn together with the new ball of yarn. Then knit the next three stitches in the pattern being used with both strains together. This will result in double yarn stitches. Also the ends of the yarn should be hanging on the wrong side of the project to insure a seamless transition.

4) For the remainder of the row drop the strand from the old ball of yarn and knit with the strand from the new ball of yarn. Continue knitting until you return to the three stitches where the two balls of yarn were knit together. These are visible by the double yarn stitches.

5) Knit these three stitches, in the pattern being used, ensuring that both strands are included when knitting.

6) Finally, trim the yarn ends that should be hanging on the wrong side of the project. Be sure not to cut too close or the ends will pop out the right side of the project.

The finished join should look almost invisible on the right side of the knitting project. This technique is only used when you are including two balls of yarn of the same color. If your project asks for a different color of yarn a different technique is advised. also this technique is only used for simple patterns as addressed above. a different technique is advised when using very complicated techniques. Happy knitting.

Learn more about this author, Gen Evera.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.