Multicolor knitting is knitting with two or more colors of yarn. According to the method of execution, we can distinguish jacquard knitting and, which are usually called lazy or false jacquards. Classic ones are made using stockinette stitch, changing yarn colors and pulling threads on the wrong side of the work. Another type of jacquard knitting, which came from Sweden, is bohus knitting, performed with both knit and purl loops (on the front side). Pulling the threads on the wrong side narrows the work, so you need to especially carefully monitor the tension of these threads, do not tighten them, otherwise the jacquard pattern will not turn out beautiful. The photo shows mittens knitted with a jacquard pattern (click on the picture if you want to see the pattern).
The false jacquard technique is that each row is knitted with yarn of the same color; there is no color change in the row. The pattern is formed, as a rule, due to . The false jacquard technique is easier to perform, does not require much experience, and such patterns can be recommended to beginner knitters.
But no matter what technique you use, in multi-color knitting there is always a need to add yarn of a different color at the beginning or during knitting of a row.
Let's look at some techniques that may be useful to you when knitting multicolors.
Attaching a thread at the beginning of a row
The thread of the new color is grabbed together with the thread of the previous color and the two threads are knitted together in the edge loop of the row that precedes the row in which the yarn of the new color is introduced (in this case, burgundy).
Attaching a new color of yarn at the beginning of the row, first stage
The work is turned over, the edge loop is removed as usual, and then the row is knitted with yarn of a new color. The remaining “tail” is crocheted into the edge loops.
Attaching a new color of yarn at the beginning of the row, second stage
Changing yarn color at the beginning of a row
Sometimes it becomes necessary to frequently change colors at the beginning of a row when knitting two colors of yarn, especially when knitting lazy jacquards. In this case, the following method is suitable for decorating the side edge of the fabric: the edge loops are knitted with yarn of both colors, then the work is turned over, and the next row is knitted in the desired color. The result is a neat, albeit thicker, side edge of the canvas.
Changing yarn color at the beginning of the row: side edge
Another way to change colors at the beginning of a row- knit the last stitch of the knit row behind the front wall, turn the work over, and do not remove the edge loop, as usual, and also knit the knit stitch, but in a different color, and the working thread should go from above.
Changing the thread at the beginning of the row to form a decorative edge
As a result, we get a beautiful decorative edge that is suitable for knitting scarves. But in order for the tension of the fabric along the side edges of the part to be the same, at the other end of the row the first edge loop also needs to be knitted, and not removed.
If there is a large distance between the rows in which the color change occurs, then it is better to pull the thread of the non-working color through the broaches between the penultimate and last (edge) loop.
Connecting the ends of the threads
Often there is a need to join the ends of threads, and not only when knitting in multiple colors, but also simply when you need to start from a new ball. In this case, you can tie the ends with a special knot, when the ends of the threads are twisted twice at the second stage of tying the knot (see more details). Such a knot does not untie and turns out small:
Using the same knot, you can not only tie the ends of the yarn, but also tie yarn of a different color in a row, if you need to introduce a new color when jacquard knitting.
Attaching a new color thread to a row
You can join the threads without a knot by twisting the ends. In this case, several loops are knitted in two threads, so the yarn should be thin enough so that these loops do not stand out too much against the general background.
Securing long strands of thread in classic jacquards
When knitting classic jacquards, sometimes too long broaches are formed, which create inconvenience when wearing the finished product. If there are more than 4 loops between color changes, the broaches are intertwined with the working thread.
Interweaving the drawing thread with the working thread when working from the front side
When knitting, a situation often arises when one skein is finished or the thread breaks, and it is necessary to attach the working thread from the next skein.
Attaching a new working thread when knitting with a Russian join.
Most often, this situation is resolved in the following way: a new thread is introduced at the beginning of the row. These ends of the threads can later be woven into the edge remaining in the seam. But there are situations when this method is not suitable. For example, we are knitting a scarf or the edges of the product will be visible. In this case, we simply need a discreet thread joining technique, such as a Russian join.
I don’t know why this joining method is called Russian (Russian join) and where its history came from, but what can I say, we are very pleased, because this method of joining threads during knitting is popular all over the world.
With this method of joining threads, you will avoid the need to hide the ends of the threads at the end of knitting in an openwork fabric, such as a mesh. To make the connection, leave an end of thread about a meter long from the previous skein so that this procedure is comfortable.
Let's take a step-by-step look at how to attach a new working thread.
Invisible Russian thread joining, step-by-step guide.
Step 1. Thread the end of the thread into a needle with a large eye, or use a needle threader. Leave a very short end of the thread, about 1 cm long.
Step 2. Starting about 4-5 cm from the needle, thread the end of the needle into the core of the yarn along a 5-7 cm length, leaving a loop between the eye of the needle and the place where the needle “drilled” into the fibers of the yarn.
Step 3. Insert the end of the new thread into the loop near the eye of the needle.
Step 4: Pull the needle all the way through the core of the yarn, then remove the needle. The short end will remain where the needle left the core of the yarn.
In this master class we will explain in detail and show the 2 most popular methods joining threads when knitting knitting or crocheting. And in general, such methods are suitable not only for knitting, but also for any creativity that uses threads.
Video master class on joining threads when knitting:
Connecting threads without knots
An excellent way to join if you do not want to remove excess threads after knitting, and also if you want to avoid knots. This method of joining yarn is only suitable for well-twisted yarn of medium thickness. The connection point is strong, the threads will not come apart either during knitting or while wearing the product.
So, we start with the fact that the threads need to be crossed
and how to wrap them around each other, like hooks cling to each other.
But we thread one of the ends of the thread into the needle, leaving a very small tip,
and begin to insert the needle into the same thread towards the ball or product, depending on which one you took first. The needle is inserted into the middle of the thread, as if splitting it inside. We insert the needle at a distance of at least 2 needles, i.e. about 5 centimeters.
Then we pull out the needle with the tip of the thread and straighten the yarn by simply pulling in different directions.
We do the same on the other side.
Now we simply cut off the remaining ends and twist the thread a little.
And everything is ready! A small section of knitting at the junction will be a little tighter, as if in 2 threads, but it will be difficult to see in the finished product. But this method will not work for a thin thread.
weaving knot
But this particular method is better suited for a thin thread, but on thicker yarn it will be noticeable. The connection of the threads is almost always strong. If you forcefully pull the threads in different directions and they do not begin to “ride” each other, then the knot is firmly seated and will never unravel. So be sure to check! It happens that the yarn is slippery, and then at the junction there will be just an inconspicuous knot (the knot becomes the size of a thread of yarn), but the ends will still need to be tucked in before the final cutting.
For the master class, threads of two different colors were taken for clarity. We make a loop of orange yarn, but so that the tip lies on top of the thread from the ball or from the product. Place the pink thread under the loop.
Now we just pull all 4 ends of the threads in different directions, very, very tightly, then the knot will be invisible.
If the threads do not “move”, then we cut the short ends to the very knot. Don't be afraid, the knot will never come undone.
If, nevertheless, one thread moves over another, then the ends must be hidden in the product and only then cut off.
The node is ready.
We hope everything worked out for you.
Share your result with us and leave comments.
Author Tatyana
The simplest and most effective way to join a new thread when knitting is an inconspicuous connection without knots.
Method one - tie in the ends. We overlap the thread from the product and from the ball and knit 3-4 loops with double thread, then continue to knit with one thread, this time from the new ball. On the English-speaking Internet this method is called Overlap join(Attachment by overlap). You can see photos of what this method looks like in the finished product. And for those who prefer videos - the Knit-in Join video.
This is the easiest and fastest method, but due to the fact that the ends of the yarn remain outside, it is not very suitable for double-sided products (scarves, stoles).
Method two - Felted Join. Unwind a few centimeters of the ending thread and the new one, tear it off (namely tear it off, not cut it off), and then roll them together, making one whole thread out of them. It’s similar to how in felting you get something homogeneous from scraps of yarn, which is how it got its name. Watch the video master class at the link.
It is better to introduce a new thread into knitting at the beginning of the row, this will make it easier to tuck the ends of the threads into the seam. For tricks on how to calculate whether there is enough thread from an ending ball to complete a row, read on the website
