How to Join Yarn with Magic Knot in Knitting

 

Have you come across a situation while knitting where you need to join yarn? The knitting crisis may arise because you have run out of yarn or work a colour change (though there are other ways).  The Magic Knot, also referred to as the Russian Knot or the Invisible Knot is a neat technique to join two separate yarn ends together securely without having to weave in any loose ends. You do not need your knitting needles for tying the knot. In fact, the technique works when you crochet too. The yarn joining method works regardless of what you are knitting; meaning whether you are knitting back and forth with straight or circular needles or working with a set of double pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars. In this blog, we’ll go through how to work the magic knot and then discuss where you should and where you not use this method of joining yarn.

What is the Magic Knot?

The Magic knot known as the Russian or Invisible knot is a technique to join yarns. The tric is to knot the yarn carefully. Not too lightly as it would come undone and not too tightly that the yarn snaps and damages the fibers. The precise method does not add to the weight of the project. It is quite seamless and merges in the pattern after few washes.

Instructions on How to Join Yarn with the Magic Knot

Step 1: Place the two yarn ends you want to join parallel to each other, overlapping by a few inches.

Step 2: Take the end of one yarn and wrap it around the other yarn, creating a loop.

Step 3: Thread that end through the loop you just created, making sure to leave a small tail.

Step 4: Now, take the end of the other yarn and wrap it around the first yarn, creating a loop in the opposite direction.

Step 5: Thread this end through the loop you created in step 4, again leaving a small tail.

Step 6: Pull both ends snugly to tighten the knot.

Step 7: Trim the excess tails, leaving just a short tail on each side.

When to Use the Magic Knot

In knitting, any knot can be disruptive to your work. So, it’s important to know when and when not to use the Magic Knot join.

Here’s where it’s great:

Colour Changes: When switching colours in a project, especially if you're working with multiple colors in a single row or round, the seamless join works without adding bulk.

Joining New Yarn: If you run out of yarn and need to join a new skein or ball, the knot can create a strong and invisible join, ensuring your project remains secure.

Weaving in Ends: The knot works join new yarn or change colors, reducing the amount of weaving required and creating a neater finish.

Special Yarns: Silk, laceweight, mohair and yarns can be challenging to join with traditional methods. The magic knot provides a secure join even with these types of yarns. The magic knot creates a minimal and secure join without compromising the delicate nature of the yarn.

Time Saving: The magic knot can be a time-saving technique eliminating the task of weaving yarn ends.

Textured Stitch Patterns: Heavily patterned or textures in knitting or crochet favour the magic knot.

However, there are knitters and crocheters who prefer alternative methods for joining yarn. It's essential to test the technique on a swatch or scrap yarn before using it in your project to ensure it meets your expectations for strength and appearance.

When Not to Use the Magic Knot

So, here’s where you need not to use the technique. not to use it in the following types of projects.

Stockinette is stitch pattern is too smooth and there’s no guarantee that the knot will stay on the wrong side.

Not all colour changes, especially some advanced colourwork techniques work with magic knot.

The Magic Knot is a convenient and secure way to join yarn in many situations. It’s important to assess the specific requirements of your project to choose the joining method that best suits your needs. For all your knitting and crocheting needs, explore the KnitPro collection. Choose from tools that cater to beginners to seasoned makers. If you are just starting out, choose bamboo or wooden knitting needles or crochet hooks before advancing too stainless steel, aluminium, etc.

Happy crafting!