Step by step tutorial on how to join a new color with the weave in and twist method; perfect for intarsia
Who doesn’t like knitting projects with more than just one skein? But when it comes to colorwork, you often have to weave in a lot of ends. The problem: the joins can often become super visible and disturb the picture-perfect look of your finished project. But there is a simple solution to join new colors in knitting. I call it “Weave in and Twist”.
For me, this joining method is just perfect for intarsia knitting. The bad news is that it doesn’t make weaving in the ends easier (but not harder either). I kind of developed the method myself because I was dissatisfied with all the other ways to join a new color.
Reading tip: 10 advanced intarsia knitting tips
Twist & weave is certainly a nice alternative, but I often noticed that after I wove in the tails, the stitches in the immediate vicinity of the join looked a bit wonky. And I figured that’s because they are not anchored in the right way. So, that’s why I came up with this solution. The best part: it’s beyond simple.
Anyway, let’s show you how to join in a new color in Intarsia.
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Instructions: How to join a new color with weave in and twist
This method works best when doing colorwork but you can also use it to join a new ball. You have to start it one stitch before the actual transition and you will need a suitably long tail for weaving in later on.
Tools
Instructions
- One stitch before you want to change colors, place the tail of the new color in between your working yarn and the knitting needle.
- Knit one stitch as normal. This should trap the tail on the wrong side of your work.
- Twist the new and old colors around each other twice.
- Knit the next stitch in the new color.
- Tug on the tails to secure the join, and continue knitting according to your pattern.
- Weave in the tails with your preferred method. I always go diagonally using a sharp tapestry needle.
Notes
This method works for any yarn and project. Only when you are knitting with a very loose gauge, you have to be careful. But that's very rare for colorwork techniques.
Is this method the neatest way to join a new color in knitting? I actually believe so, at least when it comes to intarsia and similar projects. When you are knitting stripes or simpler colorwork techniques, where you want to start a new row with a new skein of yarn, it’s obviously not a feasible technique, though.
But for intarsia, I yet have to find something that creates a better transition. Sure, sometimes the strand trapped on the wrong side can peek through. But as you are usually knitting with slightly fuzzy yarn that is actually very, very rare.
Anyway, that’s how to join a new color using Weave in and twist. Comment below in case you still have any questions.
Thank you so much for developing and posting this method, it works so well! I have modified it for myself slightly by working it from 2 stitches before the transition – first stitch to catch the new colour, second to do the twist and then knit new colour on the third. For some reason the first stitch looks a touch better when it’s not right next to the twist 🤷🏻‍♀️ Anyway, thanks again!
Is there a way we should be securing it and when we are done? Like tying a knot or is the weaving supposed to stay and handle washes (eg baby blanket)? I’m new to knitting.
Thank you
yes, the tail needs to be woven in with a tapestry needle. Or you weave it in as you go.
Hi Norman, do you have a video showing how to carry on this method when your pattern changes diagonally in the next rows. I know you have a worn tutorial for it, but I really need to see a video of it. My knitting is on pause because I can’t figure out how to carry my colours on a diagonal.
P.s: your tutorials are the best, so clear thank you so much for creating this content for us knitters
I don’t think I understand what you mean with “pattern changes diagonally in the next row”. How is this joining method related to any kind of pattern?
Hi Norman, Thank-you so much for these tutorials. I am a seasoned knitter, but obviously a very ill informed one. lol. I have learnt sooo much from your blog about joining, I always use the ‘weave in’ method at the start of a row, but sometimes you have to join a new ball and if you only do it at the beginning of the row you waste so much yarn, now I can do it hole-free!! I am also learning about other joins like in fairisle which I have avoided because of all the colour changes. So once again thank-you.
Merry Christmas, and Yours in Yarning, Carol Vissers, from Ballarat, Australia
Is there any other benefit of the twist & weave method (which I love thanks to your tutorial!) over this weave in & twist one besides being able to be used at the beginning of rows? It seems like this weave in & twist produces the same result with a much easier method for all other situations….
This method will not create a “Knot” on the wrong side and thus a less stable join/stitch. However, I feel that makes it better for intarsia projects.
Norman, this is the absolute best way to join colors ! My intarsia has greatly improved and I owe it to you. Thank you so much
Hi Norman, this is really great (but I’m sure you knew that already)!
As I was thinking about Weave in and Twist (WiaT) and Twist and Weave (TaW), I noticed a few “missing” techniques. Written out as a list, we have the following:
– For knit stitch on right side:
– On a right side row:
– Weave in and Twist: this article
– Twist and Weave: you done this
– On a wrong side row:
– WiaT: missing
– TaW: you done this
– For purl stitch on right side:
– On a right side row:
– WiaT: missing
– TaW: missing
– On a wrong side row:
– WiaT: missing
– TaW: missing
There is one technique missing on the knit stitch side, and there is nothing for the purl stitch (as far as I know). Said differently, there are 8 possible techniques total, but I currently only know of 3 of them that you have covered already.
Do you think you could come up with the 5 missing techniques? I am asking mostly out of curiosity – I think you covered the most common cases. I just thought it would be amazing (and hopefully fun) to have these bases covered for any color work situation you could think of and come across, especially for these two great color change techniques.
I have really appreciated all the articles and videos you have done in teaching all these various continental knitting techniques. The knitting techniques library is sooooo amazing, it is just such an amazing resource to have. So what I’m basically saying is, if you think it is interesting and fun and if you have time, these 5 “missing” techniques could be fun puzzles to figure out and add to the technique library :D. Thank you again for all you do!
P. S. Oh yeah. In the meantime, what /are/ we supposed to do for purl stitches? Would some other technique be useful for purls?
well, joseph, you make it sounds like I could snap my fingers and come up with something like that. Sadly, that’s not the case. Also, just because something is theoretically possible doesn’t mean it looks and works well.