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Knitting and Crochet
Knitting
Knitting Techniques
How to Change Yarn Download Article Co-authored by Sarah Stearns
Last Updated: June 5, 2025 Approved
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When to Change Yarn
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Option One
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Option Two
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Video
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Expert Interview
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Q&A
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Tips
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Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Sarah Stearns. Sarah Stearns is a DIY Specialist, Artist, Maker, Blogger, and the Founder of SarahMaker.com. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in fun, approachable crafts like crocheting, making polymer clay jewelry, quilting, and creating Cricut projects. Her work has been featured in several publications, such as Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, and Apartment Therapy. Sarah holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 407,683 times.
When you knit with a ball of yarn, it will eventually run out and you will need to start a new one. If you're not sure how, don't worry! Here are two easy methods you can use to change knitting yarn so you can get back to working on your project.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
When to Change Yarn
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1 Start at the beginning of a new row for either option. Avoid starting in the middle. This will prevent an ugly knot appearing in an obvious place, like in the centre of your scarf!
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Option One
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1 Cut the old yarn, leaving about a 6 inch (15.2 cm) end.[1]XResearch source
2 Hold the yarn end and the beginning 6 inches (15.2 cm) of the new yarn together with your left hand.[2]X Expert Source Sarah StearnsDIY SpecialistExpert Interview
3 Start knitting with the yarn. The first stitch will be a bit loose but this can be fixed later.[3]XResearch source
4 Knit about 5 stitches then stop and tie the ends of the yarns together in a small knot.
5 Carry on knitting to the end of the row.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Option Two
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1 To change yarn a different way, make a slipknot in the new yarn then pass the old yarn through it.[4]XResearch source
2 Slide the new yarn up to the base of the first stitch and tighten the slipknot. You are now ready to continue knitting with your new ball of yarn.[5]XResearch source
3 Weave in the yarn ends. When you've finished knitting, you will have a couple of yarn tails hanging along the side. To hide them it is easy to weave them in. Get a yarn needle and thread the yarn end through its eye.[6]X Expert Source Sarah StearnsDIY SpecialistExpert Interview With the needle, weave the yarn in and out through the bumps at the side or the back of your piece.[7]XResearch source
4 Snip the yarn close to the end for a beautifully tidy finish.
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Community Q&A
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Question When knitting in the round, how do I change yarn colors? Eye of the liger Community Answer The same way you would with flat knitting. It's best to change between two needles, or best of all, at the end of a round. Make sure the end is on the outside, so you can easily find it later when you have to sew it in. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 9
Question I've knitted two pieces (lap blanket), and now I want to join them. Suggestions? T. Chinsen Top Answerer Sewing the edges together with a ladder stitch is one method. Use a crochet hook to make a chain stitch pattern through both pieces and make it part of the design. Overlap the edges and crochet the edges together. You can make it close together of loose and lacy. Knit a joining strip by picking up and knitting through a stitch from each piece. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
Question How do I cast on to knit? Community Answer There are several different methods for casting on. The easiest is probably the backwards loop cast on, but the cable cast on is also a commonly used option. For more information, I suggest reading through wikiHow's article about casting on. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
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Video
Tips
Keep small pieces of snipped off yarn for mending needs - just in case. The wool dye lot will match if you do this. It is a good idea to label such snipped pieces so that you know why you are keeping them and for which item. Thanks Helpful 37 Not Helpful 20
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Things You'll Need
A large pair of knitting needles
An old ball of yarn
A new ball of yarn
A pair of scissors
A yarn needle
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about knitting and crochet, check out our in-depth interview with Sarah Stearns.
Co-authored by: Sarah Stearns Crochet Expert This article was co-authored by Sarah Stearns. Sarah Stearns is a DIY Specialist, Artist, Maker, Blogger, and the Founder of SarahMaker.com. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in fun, approachable crafts like crocheting, making polymer clay jewelry, quilting, and creating Cricut projects. Her work has been featured in several publications, such as Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, and Apartment Therapy. Sarah holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. This article has been viewed 407,683 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 13Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 407,683 Categories: Knitting Techniques In other languages Italian Russian
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C. Jackson
Nov 24, 2017
"I particularly love having text to read and then short, specific videos with just the step being discussed. I can watch that step over and over until I master it without struggling to stop a video and hunting for just the bit I need. Really ideal!"..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Sarah Stearns Crochet Expert Co-authors: 13Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 407,683100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
C. Jackson
Nov 24, 2017
"I particularly love having text to read and then short, specific videos with just the step being discussed. I can watch that step over and over until I master it without struggling to stop a video and hunting for just the bit I need. Really ideal!"..." more
Pat Eager
Aug 9, 2017
"Clear directions along with close up pictures that demonstrate the directions. So easy to understand and follow. " Rated this article:
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Aug 9, 2017
"The GIF showing how to do it was super helpful, step by step with photos. That's the way to go!" Rated this article:
Anonymous
Dec 18, 2016
"It's been so long since I've knitted, I forgot how to tie up the changed colors."
Becky Grantham
Aug 12, 2016
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Download Article Co-authored by Sarah Stearns 
How toChange Colors in Knitting 
3 Expert-Backed Ways to Add and Join Yarn in Crochet 
How toEnd Knitting a Scarf 
How toKnit a Patchwork Blanket 
How toBind Off (Crocheting) 
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Co-authored by: Sarah Stearns Crochet Expert This article was co-authored by Sarah Stearns. Sarah Stearns is a DIY Specialist, Artist, Maker, Blogger, and the Founder of SarahMaker.com. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in fun, approachable crafts like crocheting, making polymer clay jewelry, quilting, and creating Cricut projects. Her work has been featured in several publications, such as Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, and Apartment Therapy. Sarah holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. This article has been viewed 407,683 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 13 Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 407,683 Categories: Knitting Techniques In other languages Italian Russian 
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1 Start at the beginning of a new row for either option. Avoid starting in the middle. This will prevent an ugly knot appearing in an obvious place, like in the centre of your scarf! Advertisement 
1 Cut the old yarn, leaving about a 6 inch (15.2 cm) end.[1] 
2 Hold the yarn end and the beginning 6 inches (15.2 cm) of the new yarn together with your left hand.[2] 
Eye of the liger Community Answer The same way you would with flat knitting. It's best to change between two needles, or best of all, at the end of a round. Make sure the end is on the outside, so you can easily find it later when you have to sew it in. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 9 
T. Chinsen Top Answerer Sewing the edges together with a ladder stitch is one method. Use a crochet hook to make a chain stitch pattern through both pieces and make it part of the design. Overlap the edges and crochet the edges together. You can make it close together of loose and lacy. Knit a joining strip by picking up and knitting through a stitch from each piece. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4 
Community Answer There are several different methods for casting on. The easiest is probably the backwards loop cast on, but the cable cast on is also a commonly used option. For more information, I suggest reading through wikiHow's article about casting on. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2 
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