Do you want to make a colorful sweater for your loved ones? But unsure how to change colors in knitting? Using colorful techniques creates a beautiful effect and can turn your project into a unique and versatile one with knitting needles. Let's cover everything you need to know about changing colors in knitting, and these super-easy methods are ideal for beginners.
Why Change Colors in Knitting?
Let's first understand why color change in knitting patterns is required in the project. Here are some of the following reasons that inspire you to create multicolored patterns:
- You can create geometric shapes, color contrast, color blocks, and stripes.
- The perfect way to use your Leftover or scrap yarns in this method.
- The techniques, such as intarsia, fair isle, stranded colorwork, and more, can be effectively used. Refer to our quick guide to learn tips and tricks for knitting stranded colorwork.
Changing Colors in Knitting - A Smooth Approach
Knowing the basic knit and purl stitches is good enough for creating images or intricate designs with single-pointed knitting needles. Check out these methods:
1. At the beginning of the Row
The method is ideal for scarves, dishcloths, and flat projects. It's simple and ideal, especially for beginners. To change colours in knitting, join a new yarn ball with a simple knot at the beginning of the row. This is the fastest and works well for knitting stripes, Mosaic, Fair, and Entrelac.
How to do it:
Step 1: First, finish a row with color A. Place stitch markers at the beginning to keep track of changing colors.
Step 2: Now, drop the color A and
Step 3: Start the color with B and leave a tail of 5 inches.
Step 4: Knit as usual with color B.
Step 6: At the end, weave in the tail using a finishing needle.
2. Carrying Yarn up the Side (Thin Strips)
Patterns that require switching colors when knitting after every few rows, you can carry the other yarn up the side of the work instead of cutting the yarn every time. Keep in mind, this knitting method works in back and forth, but not in rounds.
How to do it:
- At the start of the new row, bring up the unused color and begin knitting.
- Twist the two yarns at the side every couple of rows to keep things neat and avoid long floats.
3. Weave in as you go
In this technique, you can join a new yarn without the knots and a wool needle for weaving. However, this will be visible on the wrong side and is not considered best for reversible projects. This method is perfect for round projects such as socks or hats with your double-pointed knitting needles.
How to do it:
Step 1: In the middle of the row, after 5-8 stitches, pick up a new yarn, place it between the working yarn and the knitting needle.
Step 2: Knit one stitch with the old yarn in this way, you can catch the hold of the new yarn at the back.
Step 3: Then, knit one more stitch and wrap your new yarn around your working yarn clockwise once.
Step 4: Repeat step 2, 5-8 times, and wrap the new yarn around the working yarn with every stitch.
Step 5: Pick up the new yarn from the bottom and knit one more stitch, grabbing the old yarn in between.
Step 6: Again, knit one more stitch and wrap your old yarn around your working yarn (WY) clockwise once.
Step 7: 5-8 times, repeat step 6 and continue knitting.
Step 8: Using scissors, cut any excess yarn on the wrong side.
4. Twist and Wave
This method is quite tricky, but after continuous practice, it will become easier to handle colorwork in knitting. It works great in intarsia and fair isle projects. It's versatile, neat, and creates no holes. There are various colorwork methods, but they won't allow you to change yarn at the specified spot. It's a versatile method used in any project and with any yarn; the only drawback is that you need to weave in the ends later.
How to do it:
Step 1: To start with, pick up the new color B and leave the old yarn A hanging in the back.
Step 2: Insert the wooden knitting needles into the first stitch.
Step 3: Now, place color B yarn between the knitting needles and secure it with your thumb.
Step 4: Pick up the color A yarn and cross it over the B yarn.
Step 5: Then, pick up the tail of the B yarn and wrap it around the right knitting needle counterclockwise, coming from between the two needles.
Step 6: Now, wrap the B yarn around the needle counter-clockwise as you knit the stitch.
Step 7: Now, pick up the tail of the B color yarn again and go around the right needle counterclockwise.
Step 8: Create a new stitch by pulling down the loop around your knitting needle.
Step 9: After creating a stitch above, pull the stitch through the loop on the left needle and drop it.
Step 10: Lastly, secure the join by pulling the two tails of (A and B) yarns and continue knitting.
As a beginner, learning to switch colors while knitting seems scary, but once you understand it, you won't face any issues. Colorwork in knitting lets your individuality and sense of style come through in every project, from straightforward stripes to elaborate Fair Isle patterns. At Lantern Moon, our exquisitely designed circular needles are handcrafted and more than just tools; they are partners in your artistic endeavors.