Knitting. How do I start a new ball of wool (for stripes)?

Question

I'm a beginner. I need to start using a different colour for a stripe, but I don't know how to incorporate it into the knitting that I've already done! Do I make another loop (as if I'm casting on) then knit the first two stitches together to join the colour in? Or do I make a knot and tie the new colour to the old colour? But won't that look ugly, having a knot showing? What happens with the previous ball of wool, I mean, it will still be attached to the knitting and I'll have 2 balls of wool hanging down! HELP!

Answer 1

Hiya, are you knitting



Method 1:

This method works very well for garments that have extremely wide stripes or a long distance between same color stripes.

Work in the main color until it is time to begin stripe placement. Break off the main color yarn about 5" from the edge of the piece. Add the new contrasting yarn, work stripe until desired width is reached. Break off the contrasting yarn about 5" from the edge of the piece and add the color for the next stripe.







Method 2:

This method is great for narrow stripes, or for a knitter who doesn't mind taking time to untangle balls of yarns every few rows. This method only works if stripes are to be knit over an even number of rows.

Work in the main color until it is time to begin stripe placement. Add a 2nd contrasting ball of yarn and work stripe until desired width is reached. Allow contrasting yarn to rest while the original yarn is once again used to create a new stripe.

Answer 2

when i did this my mum just said, tie it onto the old piece of wool, a tiny bit left like about an inch, with a normal knot. just continue on knitting the same. if theres a bit of excess wool, just cut that bit off. hope this helps :)

Answer 3

lets assume you are working with blue and white...

work the blue stripe

break off the blue, about 20cms long

start knitting as normal with the white. it will be a bit loose, you will have to pull it a bit tighter as you go.

when you have done a couple of rows of white, (or finished the piece), tie a reef knot in the two ends. one blue, one white. weave the ends into the right colours and trim them.