Stitches & Techniques · Beginner guide
How to Join New Yarn in Crochet
Add a new strand at a pattern-approved point and secure the ends without creating a bulky knot.
A yarn join must hold while matching the fabric’s tension. No single join works best for every yarn, stitch pattern, and location.
Before you begin
Check whether the pattern specifies a join. When practical, avoid placing it in a highly visible or heavily stressed area.
Step-by-step instructions
- Leave a tail on the old strand long enough to weave in, unless the specified join uses it differently.
- Begin the new strand where the pattern recommends; some methods complete a stitch with the new yarn.
- Work a few stitches and check tension before trimming anything. Both strands should lie flat.
- Secure the tails using a method suited to the fiber and fabric, weaving each in through several stitches.
What to check
Choose the join for the fabric
Gently flex the area. It should not open into a hole or form a hard lump. If conspicuous, undo the join and move it rather than hiding a bulky knot.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tie the ends together?
A knot can create a lump and may not suit every fiber or project. Follow the pattern’s join method and secure the tails.
Where should I join a new skein?
Use the pattern’s guidance. Otherwise, choose a less visible point when the construction allows it.
Choose a join for the yarn and fabric
For joining new yarn, use this as the starting rule: select a join that suits the project’s fabric, yarn, and whether the join will be visible. The stitch sequence and the pattern’s edge rules determine where the hook goes and what counts. Read the relevant instructions before beginning and keep them nearby as you work. If a general tutorial and the pattern give different directions, follow the pattern’s stated convention; another project may use a different method.
Select a sensible place for the join
Before proceeding, confirm whether the pattern expects a continuous strand or a seam-free transition. Write any project-specific choice in your notes so you can apply it consistently. If the pattern or label leaves the detail unclear, look for its own key or maker guidance rather than assuming that another project follows the same convention. This short check can prevent a small misunderstanding from affecting the rest of the work.
Leave a usable tail for securing
A practical way to apply joining new yarn: Work a short swatch and leave enough tail for the chosen securing method and test the join on a swatch. After a few stitches, pause and look at the loops before repeating the movement. Good light and smooth yarn can make the structure easier to see while you learn. If the sample does not match the pattern’s directions, undo the short section and repeat the step slowly; changing one movement at a time makes the cause easier to spot.
Check bulk and visibility
A common mistake in joining new yarn is assuming one join works equally well for every fiber and stitch. Watch for this sign: the join feels bulky, slips, or shows through the fabric. That can change the stitch count or leave a loop difficult to work into. Compare the recent work with the pattern and locate the first point where they differ. Correct that detail before continuing; stretching the fabric or adding an unplanned step can hide the cause without fixing it.
Avoid relying on one join for every yarn
If the join feels bulky, slips, or shows through the fabric, first check whether the pattern expects a continuous strand or a seam-free transition. Then compare the stitch sequence, insertion point, and edge count at the last correct row with what you actually have. Change one thing at a time so you can tell whether it addresses the problem. If the instructions and materials match but the result still differs, use the project’s gauge, sizing, substitution, or care notes as relevant; those are more useful than a universal fix.
Test the join before trimming tails
Remember: secure the ends in a way appropriate to the project. Following the same insertion and pull-through sequence helps keep the stitch structure recognizable from one row to the next. If you choose an alternative, record it and compare a small sample or written step before applying the change across the project.
Finish the new strand securely
To make joining new yarn easier to repeat, use this sequence: leave enough tail for the chosen securing method and test the join on a swatch, inspect the result, and only then continue. At first, slow down at the point where the pattern changes direction, begins a new round, or starts a repeat. A removable marker or brief row note can hold your place while you learn the construction. Once the sequence is clear, you can work more steadily without guessing which loop or instruction comes next.
Conclusion: Joining new yarn
Keep this lesson in mind: secure the ends in a way appropriate to the project. Carry the pattern’s stitch and edge rule into the next row. Place a join where its visibility and bulk suit the fabric. Secure both tails using a method appropriate to the yarn and pattern.