I’ve noticed that knitters love creating scrappy projects from leftover yarns. The random, (or carefully planned) color play satisfies the artist within us and allows us to turn our knitting needles into paintbrushes. On top of that, there’s also this very practical reward of making do, using up every little bit of our resources and being good stewards of the dollars we’ve spent on supplies.
One of the difficulties of scrap projects is the weaving in of all those ends. The drudgery of the job sometimes creates a reluctance in me, (a certified scrap busting enthusiast!), to even begin a new scrappy project.
There is a way around this. You can join your scrap yarns together quite securely with two different techniques I’ll share with you here: the Magic Knot or Russian Join.
Magic Knot:
This technique uses two knots that are tightened around the attached yarn, then pulled against each other. You finally trim the ends on either side of the tightened knots. This is a surprisingly reliable way to join two different yarns.
Russian Join:
This technique is done by using a needle to pull the yarn end through the core of itself, creating a loop at the end of each, then pulling the ends tight. You’ll need a small tapestry needle to do this. It works especially well for non-slippery yarns.
Two different joins, similar results. Just be sure that the yarns you join are all of the same weight, (worsted, fingering, etc), in order to keep your project the same size throughout.
You can choose to join new yarn as you go, allowing you to make decisions on the next color based on the knitting so far, or you can make a random join of many different colors, then wind them into a “magic ball” of many colors. I’ve found this to be a fun project in itself!
Use your resources wisely, Crafty Friends!
This is SO helpful! Thanks for shairng. I’m pinning this right now!!
You are so welcome, Julie! Thanks for the kind comment! <3
LOVE scrappy projects and usually use the Russian join method…..I’ll soon be trying the Magic Knot for a few projects! 😉
I really have had good luck so far with magic knot for cotton. Makes a super secure join. I’m not sure about it for more slick yarns, like alot of superwash sock yarn….I think I’d personally stick with the russian join for those types!
Wow ty so much! I don’t have to have nasty tiny balls of leftover yarn anymore and look when u wind them together they look like cakes ! Thanks!
You’re welcome Jennifer! Yes – pretty little cupcakes of color fun! 😀
Thanks for so many cute and simple ideas! I’m working with Paton’s Classic Wool. I purchased nearly all the colors last year and have been experimenting with gloves by adding different stitch patterns. I’d love to find a scrappy hat pattern that can be adapted to different yarn weights. I’m thinking of trying the zig zag scarf pattern with the wool, using a looser gauge and maybe 5 or 6 repeats.
Thanks so much!
Karen
You’re so welcome Karen! Thanks for the great comment. Now you got my creative juices flowing – a scrappy hat pattern ….hmmmm! Love your blog by the way!
Thank you for taking the time to share this idea with everyone . I am knitting a jumper and a separate blanket at the moment using Aran weight wool in lots of colours for both and will have a good load of spare wool at the end of my projects I. I think I may try this technique with the left over wool and see where it takes me . Thanks again Jackie
Love these two joining, how can I get a hard copy of them, can’t find print area!
Hi Donna! There’s no hard copy for this one so far, but I’ll work on it for you!
Have done both these knots…personally I like the Magic Knot because it’s easier to do & I don’t have to hunt down my yarn needle…BUT, when done, I give it an extra tug….sometimes, it comes undone (not often, but often enough that I give it that extra tug). I roll my small balls of yarn into one big one (don’t want to be wasteful), then use that ball with one strand of black or aran or white & make pet blankets for the local Humane Shelter.
Great advice Linnea! Love your idea ❤️