Russian Join for Crocheting and Knitting

If you are working on a large knitting project, you will eventually need to attach a new ball of yarn. There are several ways to join two skeins of yarn. Which one you choose will depend on your project, the yarn you are using, and your personal preferences. Russian stitching is a versatile method of joining yarn. It is a smooth and clean join, sometimes referred to as invisible. This method is a good choice when you want to use yarn that will not felt, such as cotton, linen, acrylic, and yarn labeled "superwash". Russian stitching is an excellent technique for sewing on a new skein of yarn or for changing colors. It creates a secure connection, so you can continue crocheting or knitting without worrying about yarn ends!

The best part about this method is that there are no knots in your knitting and no ends to weave in later. This method of joining is just a little bulky. And if you find a knot in one of your yarn balls, you can undo it and join the strands with the Russian seam for a smoother look. Discover a simple tutorial on how to make the Russian join. 

Instructions

Step 1: Thread your needle with the working yarn.

Step 2: Insert the needle into the center of the strand and weave it through the plies or about 2 inches. You might want to untwist the plies just a bit to make the process easier.

The longer you weave, the stronger the join will be. If your yarn is slippery, increase this measurement.

Step 3: Pull the needle with the yarn tail through, leaving a small loop at the end.

Step 4: Thread the needle with a new strand of yarn, and thread it through the loop. I’ve used 2 different colors of yarn to show the join more clearly.

Step 5: Insert the needle into the strand and weave it through the plies of the yarn for about 2 inches.

Step 6: Pull on the two tail ends to tighten the loops and smooth everything out.

Step 7: Trim the excess tails on both ends.

That’s all there is to it! Depending on your yarn, you may notice that this joined area is slightly thicker than the rest of your yarn. I find this isn’t very noticeable when I’ve worked my projects, but it’s something to keep an eye on.