What is the best way of joining two balls of wool whilst knitting?
I usually tie the two ends together but someone said that this is WRONG and I should do grafting or something. Can anybody help me with suggestions?

Thanks

I do that too (I try and join at a seam to minimise any problems) and have been told its wrong:( Apparently - so Ive been told - one way of doing it is to knit with the tail of one ball and the head of the other (i.e. overlap the two ends a little way) - so you are using two strands to make your new stitch. That probably doesnt make sense - sorry:S There is a section on knittinghelp http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/misc.php if that helps.

LisaH xxx

What I do is what sounds like the method Lisa described. If I'm knitting something where one edge will be part of the seam, I always join at this end. This is because 1) it's likely to mask the join, as the stitches will be hidden in the seam, and 2) it will mask where you weave in the ends, as these can also be hidden in the seam.

I take the tail of the old yarn, and the beginning of the new and hold them together. I make the first one (and sometimes two) stitches with both strands of yarn. Once I've knitted about five or six stitches, I stop and tie the two ends together. Not too tightly, because when it's time to weave in the loose ends, you should untie the knit. I also take the opportunity to look at the stitches on the front of the work as I'm tieing the knot, just to make sure that I'm not pulling the strands too tightly and so pulling the stitches out of shape. Remember that when you go back, that the stitches where you used the two strands together will be formed by two strands over the needle. It's easy to forget and try to knit or purl into only one strand (which I've done before now). Also, I only ever join on a knit row, not a purl, as I find I can't pull the yarn with as much control as on a knit row, so if I join on a purl row the join is likely to be a bit loose.

There is a method where you take the old yarn and new yarn and unravel about 10 cm of each end. You then cut away half the plies, and use the remaining halves to wrap around each other, thus splicing them together. However, this is incredibly fiddly, and the only time I attempted it I made a complete pig's ear of it and gave up. Good luck if you try that method!

There is a method where you take the old yarn and new yarn and unravel about 10 cm of each end. You then cut away half the plies, and use the remaining halves to wrap around each other, thus splicing them together. However, this is incredibly fiddly, and the only time I attempted it I made a complete pig's ear of it and gave up. Good luck if you try that method!

Thanks guys, from the sound of it this is the method someone tried to describe to me, hence the reason I tied in the past:confused: I can manage the other suggestion though. I'm nearly at the end of my first Noro ball so will give it a try a lunchtime.

So what is it you are making Turra21?

Lisah XXX

So what is it you are making?

Lisah XXX
a scarf:hihi:

Hi everyone I am new to sheffield well (moved from Brighton) I now have some free time to find out what is around and what activities i can do, I wanted to learn how to knit but I never had the chance and was wondering if there are any kntitting clubs in sheffield that you can tell me. and also doe anyone know any bok clubs

Hi everyone I am new to sheffield well (moved from Brighton) I now have some free time to find out what is around and what activities i can do, I wanted to learn how to knit but I never had the chance and was wondering if there are any kntitting clubs in sheffield that you can tell me. and also doe anyone know any bok clubs
Hi Kalka. If you have a look in this (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=98114) thread, there's a section on local knitting groups. Those are the only ones I know of in Sheffield at the minute. The thread also has some recommendations of excellent knitting-related books for beginners, and web sites which are really useful for learning new techniques.

I'm afraid I don't know about book clubs, though I should imagine that the central library might be able to help you. There are sometimes notices in bookshops too.

So what is it you are making Turra21?Lisah XXX


After my foray into the Aberdeenshire wilderness last week, I came out with some Noro Silver Thaw and a pattern for a scoop necked cardigan with crochet border(never done that either to a pattern). The front and sides are knitted sideways but the sleeves are conventional. I used your suggested method of joining the wool yesterday and it worked superbly, so that will quell the critics when they next pipe up "OH you shouldn't knot the wool to join it!!":P
I'm quite pleased with the way the yarn changes shades. Will try to post a photo when it's photographable(?).
What stage is Samus at now then? Can't wait to see it.:)

Turra21, definitely post a photo of the Silver Thaw as it progresses. I've only ever seen little swatches of it, and I'd love to see how it looks on a bigger piece.

Will try to post a photo when it's photographable(?).
What stage is Samus at now then? Can't wait to see it.:)

Oh yes please - do post updates:D

I have arm 2 up to approximately the elbow. Should get a bit mere done over the weekend possibly finishing it (the arm that is) then blocking, piecing it together and applied I cord - should get finished before the autumn :hihi:

LisaH xxx

My lovely Lornas Laces has got a knot already in it:( Im guessing its best to unpick it and knit the ends in? Im using this for the lacey scarf (pattern is um very simple - feel a bit ripped off actually...maybe I could have worked out how to do something similar myself) so Im a bit unsure as the best place to do the join IYKWIM. The edges might still be best though as theres a garter stitch edgeing:help:

Cant decide now Im close to finishing the Samus sleeve - do I start the zig zag scarf (http://www.lloydknitting.com/zig_zag_lace_scarf_and_stole.htm), jaywalkers socks (http://magknits.com/Sept05/patterns/jaywalker.htm) or Elfine socks (http://autoscopia.com/amelia/assets/elfinesocks.pdf)?

LisaH xxx

My lovely Lornas Laces has got a knot already in it:( Im guessing its best to unpick it and knit the ends in? Im using this for the lacey scarf (pattern is um very simple - feel a bit ripped off actually...maybe I could have worked out how to do something similar myself) so Im a bit unsure as the best place to do the join IYKWIM. The edges might still be best though as theres a garter stitch edgeing:help:
I know what you mean about the pattern; sometimes you can probably do something similar yourself just by choosing a stitch pattern from Vogue Knitting or somewhere. Not that I've ever had a go myself, of course :rolleyes: .

As for the knot, just cut it out and rejoin the yarn. Definately do it at the edge, because it will be easy to weave the loose ends into the garter stitch once you've finished.
Cant decide now Im close to finishing the Samus sleeve - do I start the zig zag scarf (http://www.lloydknitting.com/zig_zag_lace_scarf_and_stole.htm), jaywalkers socks (http://magknits.com/Sept05/patterns/jaywalker.htm) or Elfine socks (http://autoscopia.com/amelia/assets/elfinesocks.pdf)?

LisaH xxx
Tricky. I know the Jaywalker socks are an easy knit, once you get into the pattern, and they're lovely when finished. On the other hand, I love the Elfine socks, and as I've never done a toe-up sock before, it'd be good to have you as a guinea pig to trial the technique for me :D . I love the scarf too; it's very pretty, but as I'm into sock knitting in a big way at the minute, I think I'd go for the Elfine socks. I might be tempted to use a plain yarn though, because that stitch pattern is lovely, and a variagated might mask it a little.

I might do the Elfine - cant decide:D I got some nice varigated from Brightdyes the other day and was going to use that but I see what you mean - I could try a bit and then frog if needed:| I tell you now though I will be using dpns not the magic loop - couldnt cope with too many new techniques:D

Am sat here winding my Lornas laces into a ball - think it could be a gentle reintroduction into lace (havent done lace for nearly 6 years now) - and quite a quick make to decide whether to do the Jaywalkers or the lacey Elfines:D

LisaHxxx

Quite upset really as my rather expensive Lornas Laces had 2 knots in it:( Ive heard that Noro suffers from a similar fate so Im not looking forward to that either.

Ho hum
LisaH xxx

Quite upset really as my rather expensive Lornas Laces had 2 knots in it:( Ive heard that Noro suffers from a similar fate so Im not looking forward to that either.

Ho hum
LisaH xxx
Bugger. That's a pain. I had a similar problem with some Sirdar yarn, where each ball had a knot towards the end. It's really annoying, because when I find a knot it's usually as I'm knitting away merrily and I'm not aware of it until I'm about two inches away from where the knot is - and it's generally in the middle of a row too. Lots of ranting and ripping generally follows :hihi: .

I vote for the Elfine socks in a plain yarn followed by the scarf in variegated!! I think you are more than up to the challenge of toe up socks Lisa!! Then you can give us all the tips you will glean and Hecate and I can try them for ourselves!!:)

Ive heard that Noro suffers from a similar fate so Im not looking forward to that either.

I'm into my second ball of Noro and have come across one knot, I just cut it out and reworked ithe ends in to the body of knitting. Just as well it's shaded so that you can't tell! Phew thank goodness. The back is finished but I'm having trouble getting the lighting right; we don't have a garden so I need to rely on good quality daylight by the window and we've had some rotten days recently. Will post as soon as I can. Before I go on with the cardi I'm finishing off the second Opal sock. My eldest daughter came home from Uni yesterday for the weekend and has put in her order for a pair, Perhaps this could turn into a lucrative side line, hand made socks for uni students? Hmmm?!!

Lisa have you bought some Noro? What did you get and what are you going to use it for?

Lisa have you bought some Noro? What did you get and what are you going to use it for?

I got silk garden in 230 (http://www.celticove.com/acatalog/silkgarden_230a.jpg) - Im going to use it for a roll brim hat (http://floryknits.com/fp-norohat.html).

Not convinced about your ordering of my projects btw - think Im going to start on the scarf then maybe the Elfine socks once Im ok with lace again:D

LisaH xxx

that's the cowards way out ( Throws down the gauntlet)

that's the cowards way out ( Throws down the gauntlet)

But I already have the yarn balled up for the scarf and now you tell me that I NEED solid yarn for the Elfines - Id have to find some, buy it, ball it up etc - by the time that happens Ill probably have finished the scarf :hihi:

LisaH xxx

But I already have the yarn balled up for the scarf and now you tell me that I NEED solid yarn for the Elfines - Id have to find some, buy it, ball it up etc - by the time that happens Ill probably have finished the scarf :hihi:

LisaH xxx
I'm sensing excuses... :D .

::Throws down another gauntlet::

I'm sensing excuses... :D .

::Throws down another gauntlet::

Hmmm its just coz YOUR scared of doing toe up socks isnt it!:lol: :nod: So have we decided on a yarn for me to get yet?????

LisaH xxx

Curious yarns sanctuary, or beach get my vote!!

Hmmm its just coz YOUR scared of doing toe up socks isnt it!:lol: :nod:...
Absolutely :D :hihi: .