So, what do you do when you come across a knot in your yarn in the middle of your project? The first thing to do when you discover a knot in your work is to analyze whether the knot is strong enough to continue crocheting. If the knot is stable and won’t unravel, keep crocheting. If the knot is not secure and you think it might unravel, you can break the yarn, redo the knot and then keep going. In some cases, you might have to rip back to the beginning of the row, break the yarn, cut out the knot, rejoin the yarn to the project and then continue working in pattern.
While knots can be irritating when they pop up in your project, there are some quick and easy ways to get past this. For yarns that are made using 100 percent animal fibers, you can join invisibly with the spit splice method. In this method, you break the yarn at the knot, dampen both ends, and then overlap the yarn ends while rubbing them between your fingers. The friction caused by your fingers combined with the added moisture will then felt the two ends together, joining them invisibly into one continuous piece. This join can be a little stiff because the fibers are felted and a bit thick.
For acrylic, cotton, linens and non-wool yarns, the spit splice method will not work because these fibers will not felt. In this case, there are a few things you can do. One method, which is quite simple is to break the yarn to remove the knot, overlay the two ends 4-6” over your work and then crochet over them. Another method, which will take a bit more work, but looks absolutely seamless, is the Russian Join. The Russian Join method is a clever way to graft two ends together by weaving the end into the strands of yarn rather than into the fabric, like you would at the end of a project. The way the Russian Join is worked is to break the yarn at the knot and then thread a sharp sewing needle with the yarn. When you have about 10” of yarn remaining, run the needle back through the center of the yarn about 3 to 4 inches, leaving a loop at the end. Thread the new ball of yarn, pull through the loop end of the first yarn, and then run the needle back through the middle of the new yarn. Remove the needle, pull on the short ends to close up the loops and trim the short ends off. This method can be a bit thick, but smooth and flexible when working on the project.
Knots will happen from time to time. There is no right or wrong way to handle a knot in your yarn. The only thing that matters is how you feel about your project. Take a deep breath to release any stress, and try one of the techniques mentioned to keep your project going.
I’ve been crocheting over 50 years. I hated the knots and cut the yarn. I used a very small but secure knot to tie the ends together. Then I realized how do you change colors? You pull the new color through the last two loops of your stitch. You don’t tie a knot! You do sew the ends in securely. No more knot tying for me!
Thank all of you for your comments. I have the same problems with not and I get frustrated especially when i get to the glob in the middle of a skin.
Need clarification regarding how to end each row of the blanket that I am crocheting ?????
Hi Evelyn, happy to help, what pattern are you working on? – Nicola, Editor
I am much less frustrated by the knots in the skeins – do not recall last skein purchased with fewer than 3 knots in it. What frustrates me most is the 2 to 3 6″ to 10″ pieces of yard simply stuck into the wrapper to bring the skein up to the bring the skein up to weight. That is just not right.
I’ve never had that happen where pieces of yarn are stuck into the wrapper to bring the skein up to weight. I agree, that is not right.
My only issue are knots in long change colour yarn where a completely different colour of the sequence has been randomly knotted in. Can require removing quite a lot of yarn to get back into sequence.
I prefer the Russian join as well. I don’t feel as secure with the magic knot.
I actually like the Russian join. I have never had any trouble with it coming apart.
With me, I just work through the knots as they come, getting them out, even if it requires having to put whatever project in through the middle of the knots to work them out.
I also just cut where the knot is and then join like I would at a color change at the end of the row. Then weave in the ends. I don’t like how knots sometimes look in the middle of a project, no matter how small or “invisible” they may seem.
Agreed. I do this same thing.
What is the magic knot?
Search YouTube and you should find several videos. I watched several different one to understand it.
I do a version of the Weavers Knot; it’s smaller and more secure than the Magic Knot. Also can be found on YouTube.
I use the magic knot all the time. It’s quick and easy. And very strong
I cut the knot our, then , I join the yarn back as if I’m adding another color.
I cut the knot out, use the magic knot and keep going. The Russian join sucks. I tried it and hated it. Laying 4-6” and crocheting over it is not long enough especially if you’re doing a dc stitch. You need at least 12” to work with, otherwise your item will come apart. I make nylon scrubbies that don’t come apart. I have a friend that bought one at a craft show and it came apart.
I make scrubbies and after 2 years they could fall apart from all the wear and tear that they have gone through. The sude with the most use will wear over time.
I also wash these in my washing machine.
Front lode washer, toss in as normal and it will be washed.
Top loader, put in a linen bag or lingerie bag and then wash it.
Allow it to air dry.