How to change colors of yarn when knitting?

Question

I would like to know how to change the colors of yarn when knitting without cutting the other yarn off. This is my first time knitting and I need to knit a row that is a second color. Thank you.

Answer 1

If you change yarns at the beginning of the row, you literally just start knitting with the new yarn. Leave a bit of a tail, you can knot it to the main color or not, as you choose. If you are doing 2 rows of the contrasting color, then say, 4 rows of the main color, you just bring the contrasting yarn up the side of the work. you wrap the new colored yarn around the working yarn to bring it up the work.
If you are just doing one row of the new color, you will have to break the yarn in order to knit back with the main color.
not as complicated as you imagine, you can go to knittinghelp.com to see a video on it. also look at stranding, that is how you carry different colors behind your work, across the work.

Answer 2

Changing Yarn Color In Knitting

Answer 3

If you are doing stripes in even number rows on flat knitting just drop the old color yarn and pick up the new color and knit according to the pattern then when you need to switch the color again just pick up the fist color and let it loosely hang at the side not too loose or it will look funny but not so tight it pulls the knitting out of shape. I suggest that you go to diynet.com and look for the show knitty gritty they have instructions for a lot of knitting stuff

Answer 4

Hi!
If you are just knitting one row with the new color and then continuing with the old color on the row after that, you need to cut the yarn and re-join the color you will be working with. If you are knitting two rows with the next color (flat knitting) then you can simply drop the old color, start knitting with the new color. Knit down the row and back and when you get back to where the old color is, drop the new color and pickup the old color and continue knitting. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Hi:

It the same way as adding new yarn expect your adding a new color instead. What the other answerer said goes as well.
However if have a lot of the old yarn left after cutting it than don't sweat it about it. Just follow the direction as stated adding new yarn and cutting the old yarn off and just weave the cut yarn; back into your row of knitted old yarn.

But here are some websites and books that might help you with this:

Websites:

http://knittingcrochet.suite101.com/article.cfm/beginningofaknitter

http://www.theknitstitch.com/charity.htm

http://www.knittinguniverse.com/xrx/community/KnitU_Detail.php?DigestNumber=1444

http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_kn.php3

http://www.learn-to-knit.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/knitting

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/knitting_the_net/26806/2

http://knitknitting.com/

http://knitting.about.com/

http://wendyknits.net/wendy/knitting.htm

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/crochetknit.htm

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATspr05TBP.html

http://hobbies.expertvillage.com/interviews/knitting.htm

http://www.knittingfool.com/

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

http://www.letsknit2gether.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting

Books :

all books are available at any bookstore or library


The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stiches: Over 900 Great Stitches Detailed for Needle Crafters of Every Level
by Reader's Digest Editors (Editor), Reader's Digest Editors-
A most execellent book on the subject { I own one and agree with it} get this book it nothing else-


Learn to Knit
by Shure

The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch: Inspiration and Instruction, Vol. 1
by Sally Melville, Elaine Rowley (Editor), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Xrx Press (Manufactured by)

Beginner Basics (Vogue Knitting on the Go! Series)
by Trisha Malcolm (Editor)

Kids Knitting
by Melanie Falick, Kristin Nicholas (Illustrator), Chris Hartlove (Photographer)

Knitting For Dummies
by Pam Allen, Trisha Malcolm, Rich Tennant (Illustrator), Trisha Malcolm (Foreword by)

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting
by Sharon Turner

Modular Knits: New Techniques for Today's Knitters
by Iris Schreier

Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting
by Donna Kooler

Knitting School: A Complete Course
by Sterling Publishing, RCS LIBRI

Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns
by Staff of Sterling Publishing

Learning to Knit
by BarCharts, Kaaren Ashley

Learn to Knit
by Sue Whiting (Editor)

Learn To Knit
by Penny Hill, New Holland Publishers Ltd (Produced by)

The Learn to Knit a Sweater Book
by Jean Leinhauser

How to Knit
by Debbie Bliss

Knitter's Lib: Learn to Knit, Crochet, and Free Yourself from Pattern Dependency
by Lena Maikon

Teach Yourself Knitting
by Sally J. Walton

The Easy Learn to Knit in Just One Day
by Staff of the American School of Needlework

Start to Knit
by Alison Dupernex

Decorative Knitting: 100 Practical Techniques, 125 Inspirational Ideas: And over 18 Creative Projects
by Kate Haxell, Luise Roberts

Michaels Book of Needlecrafts: Knitting, Crochet and Embroidery
by Dawn Cusick (Editor), Megan Kirby (Editor), Megan Kirby (Editor), Lark Books (Manufactured by)

Perfectly Brilliant Knits
by Melissa Matthay, Sheryl Thies, Sheryl Thies

The Knitter's Handbook
by Eleanor Van Zandt

Beginner's Guide to Knitting
by Alison Dupernex

Complete Book of Knitting
by Barbara Abbey

I hope this helps

Answer 6

What I do is, at the end of the row, cut the yarn, leaving a short tail that you can weave into your project after it is completed. Then, take the new color and, again leaving a short tail to be woven later, make a slip knot and pull your first color's tail into it, pull together and continue knitting with your new color.

What helped me was to get a beginner's knitting book that has lots of good pictures.

Answer 7

It may be easier to do what is called "duplicate stitch" where you knit the garment in the color you want, then go back and embroider the initial on, using stitches that mimic the path of the existing knit stitches. That way you wont have a lot of loose yarn, knots or yarn laddered across an expanse of scarf that could be visible depending on how the scarf is draped when worn. Changing colors in a garment works well when the reverse side isn't visible (i.e. a sweater)

Answer 8

When changing colors, leave a tail of each color. If you are using a textured yarn you can tie the two together and the knot won't show, weave your tails in on the wrong side. If you are using a smooth yarn (i.e. worsted or dk) again leave a tail cross the yarn over and weave the tails in as you knit for several stitches.

Answer 9

Well, it's not possible without cutting the first thread. This is what you do: start wherever you want to start with the second thread (just stop using the first thread). leave little tail of the second thread hanging from where you first start.cut the first thread and twist the two together, so that they mix. then knit them in the next row. does that make sense? I hope so!

I hope everything goes well for you!

-T-

P.S. if you're just knitting one row in the new color, you may just want to pick up the first color when you start your next row. It'll show though, in the back.

Answer 10

I only know how to do with crochet, but I'm sure it is the same with knitting. The first 1/2 of the stitch you are doing is using the original color. Finish the last part of the stitch with the second, add on color. Continue on with the new color. With the original color, cut it off, leaving about 6". This 6" is threaded on a tapestry needle. Using the needle, thread it back through the stitching of the original color.