Changing colour whilst knitting?

Question

Hey

Does anyone know how to change colour when you're knitting? So you can make stripes for example...

Thank you :D

Answer 1

You have to do it when you're starting a new row. Leave the old colour wool hanging down to the right, and take a new colour ball. Leave a few inches of wool hanging down (with the old colour) and just start your new row with the new wool, instead of the old one - making sure you don't pull so hard that the end gets sucked into your knitting. You have to be quite careful with the first couple of stitches, so that the end doesn't disappear, or get too loose. If you're doing narrow stripes, you can leave the old wool attached to your knitting, so that you have two balls (or three, or four, whatever) attached to your work. For example, you could knit a few rows in red, switch to blue and knit two rows (always even numbers - the stripes only show properly on the right side), then switch back to red for two rows, then work in green for two rows, and so on - keeping all the colours attached throughout. Because they're short stripes, the spare wool just loops up the side of the knitting.

If you're doing wider stripes, then cut off the wool, leaving a couple of inches so that you can neaten it. You can knot it and cut off, or you can work it into the rest of your knitting with a sewing needle, so that it doesn't stick out and look messy.

It's easy once you get the hang of it - good luck!

Answer 2

If you change colours at the end of a row, it's much simpler. Changing in the middle isn't that hard, however, once you're used to it. I love knitting pictures and patterns; once you've done a piece or two, you won't find it difficult at all. If you're adding a new colour so you'll have more than one going across your piece, knot the new colour on with a neat knot. Use a square knot if you can tie one. Continue your row across as normal. When you come back to the place where you added the new colour, twist the yarn (or wool, if you prefer) you're working with around the one you're switching back to, then keep going. Be sure to twist them around each other every time you change from colour A to colour B, then you won't have any holes in your finished item.

If you can't get the same brand of yarn in a different color, be sure the two types of yarn you're using are similar weights. If they're vastly different, consider running two strands of the thinner one together to make up a more even weight.

Answer 3

Depend what you want to do. If you just want to do strips then at the end of the row when you want to change you can just break off one colour and tie the next one on. Remember to leave long enough ends to weave into the knitting a few stitchs as you go along to finish them off neatly.

If you want to do fair isle type patterns or knit in a picture it's abit more complex. It's easier to show than tell but I'll do my best. A couple of stitches before you want to change colour secure the end of the new colour to you wool. When you knit the next couple of stitches make sure you catch the new colour behind the yarn so it doesn't leave a loop at the back of the work. There is a nack to getting this right so the tension remains consistant and you don't end up with a huge knot of wool. When you reach the stitch you want to do in the new colour simple change yarns and catch the main colour at the back of the work whilst knitting with the new colour. Change back when you are ready but run the new colour behind the main colour for 1 or 2 stitches to ensure the colour panels are attached and you aren't going to get a hole between them.

I hope that makes sense. Like I say it take a bit of practice so knit a few practice squares and experiement before you get onto a big project.

Have fun

Answer 4

just change at the end of the row for stripes, for changing in the middle like makiing a picture you need a bobbin you wind on some of the colour you want the tie it on to the wool you are using when you get to the stitch you want to change colour on and knit normaly with the new colour on the bobbin, if it is only two or three stitches you can go back to the origonal wool just wrap it aroung the old colour once. if it's more stitches you will have to make a bobbin of the first colour and tie it on. then the bobbinss just hang down the back of the knitting.

Answer 5

You could always buy a yarn that has been dyed so that as you knit it will make a stripe effect from the same ball of yarn. For examples try googling for Patons Spirit yarns, they are 'self striping'.

Answer 6

When you reach the end of a row knot on the new colour and continue with this. You can either cut off the 1st colour & reattach later, or keep to side.

Answer 7

it truly is, notwithstanding it could be fantastically complicated. i'm questioning that you are able to wish all of your patterning to land on the knit fringe of the ribbing, and probable be shadowed interior the purls. The trick is to discern out a thanks to bury the floats contained in the ribbing so that they don't coach a lot. in case you position diverse varieties on each and each facet you should finally end up with something truly cool.

Answer 8

Think you just cross threads a pick up new colour. I'm crochet person though so things are easier we just start with new colour by tying on.

Answer 9

When you get to the end of a row, you would change colors by adding new yarn. Here's a link about adding new yarn...
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Knitting-2228/adding-yarn-project.htm

Answer 10

you need a different colour wool