I just looked at that website. That is really helpful! The next time I get myself in a predicament in the middle of a row like that, I know where to turn to. Thanks for the link!

I'm going to try that joining method. Thanks.

I'm going to try it too. I hate to join yarns. There are some pretty things on that site too. Thanks for sharing!!

Don't try using this technique for joining yarn and show the item at the fair. A good judge will find the joining in a heart-beat.

One of the first things I do when I judge items is to run my hand over it and I can easily pick up places where the yarn was added in the middle because it's usually double thickness and creates an unsightly lump, as this technique does by running two yarns together with a yarn needle. We all run into a slub, or knot tied during the manufacturing of the yarn, and it's better to rip back and join yarns at the sides, never in the middle, if at all possible.

If joining in the middle is a MUST (or you're not concerned about it getting judged at the fair), then try this method instead, to avoid double-thickness of joined yarns.

- Un-twist the plys that make up the yarn on both the joining yarn and the old yarn, about 6-8 inches down the length of the yarn from the cut ends (you may want to use as much as 12 inches of yarn the first time you use this technique, and practice it on a swatch before you have to use it for real).

As an example, the yarn you are working with may be 3-ply worsted weight, so you will have three plys separated from the twisted yarn. On the new yarn that will join the old, cut 2 of the plys about 6-8 inches down from the end - leaving only one ply of the yarn. On the old yarn, only cut off 1 of the plys the same way. Then twist the old and new yarns together to form a 3-ply yarn once again. You will usually twist about 4 inches together in the middle and will leave about 2-3 inches of the tails, and work the tails in after the item if finished. Then just knit/crochet with the two yarns that have been twisted back together to the thickness of one yarn.

That may be easier to understand after seeing it done than by the description, but it's a better joining method that eliminates the bulky (easily noticed) joining of two yarns in the middle of an item.

If the yarn is only one-ply, then try to divide the one-ply into two, cut off one from each and twist the two remaining back together.

Grainlady

Grainlady, this is the way I was taught years ago at Sears Roebuck where I learned to knit, but I haven't seen it mentioned here before.

Grainlady,
I am knitting my DH a sweater using two strands of Koigu held together. It is knit in the round and, because I have concerns about having enough yarn to finish the project, I must join yarns wherever necessary. I simply hold the four strands together and knit all four for three stitches. I will carefully weave in the ends. I realize that these areas are a tad thicker, but there is plenty of elasticity in the yarn and the joins will not be visable to the eye.

Do you have a better method when carrying a second yarn and need to conserve? I'd love to learn a new technique. Koigu is a 2-ply fingerling with a springy tight twist.

Dolly,
I have seen the Russian join before but haven't tried it yet. Thanks for the reminder

Bubbe

I have heard of, but never tried, a method called "Spit felting" if you are using actual wool yarn.

Apparently, if you - ahem - "spit" on the two ends and rub them together in your palms, they will felt together and join that way. Some people use water and soap, others say that saliva works the best.

If you are a "blocker" and will rinse the project anyhow, I guess it isn't as gross a thought ROFL.

Dances.

Here is a link that might be useful: This describes using water LOL

This one explains doing the spit method. Sorry for any "extra-curricular" content on these blogs, just did a quick and dirty search for explanations.

I don't believe either method would work on synthetic yarns.

Dances

Here is a link that might be useful: Ewww.