On color change rounds, change colors by knitting the first stitch of the new color as you usually would. Then, knit the rest of the stitches to the end of the round.
On the next round, slip the first stitch of the new color, then knit the rest of the stitches.
On every following round, knit every stitch as usual
Keep doing this over and over again. That's it. That's really all there is to it.
If you are going to add a new color of yarn to make stripes, follow the instructions below. Be sure to also view the instructions on knitting a "jogless" stripe in the next post.
Basic method of joining yarn
This simple method works with any yarn, but it may not be the best alternative. It leaves ends that must be woven in later, which can create additional bulk. Some knitters choose to change yarns at the sides of their work, but if you do it correctly, you can change yarns at any point and it will not be visible on the right side when you complete the work.
Work until you have 6 inches of yarn remaining. Simply begin knitting with your new ball of yarn (a contrasting color is shown here), leaving a 6-inch tail on it as well. The first few stitches may feel loose, so you may want to make a simple overhand knot to help hold the new yarn in place. Remove this overhand knot before you weave in your ends.
As in the American-English method, the yarn is always held behind the work when making the knit stitch.
Holding the yarn, using the Continental method
Step 1: Hold the working yarn and the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand. Insert the empty needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from front to back (fig. 6a). The right needle is under the left needle.
Knit Stitch, Continental Method: Figure 6a
Step 2: Holding the yarn in your left hand, over the left forefinger and behind both needles, bring the yarn over the right needle from left to right as shown (fig. 6b). Be careful not to wrap it around the left needle.
Knit Stitch, Continental Method: Figure 6b
Step 3: Keeping the yarn firmly in your hand, pull the right needle and the yarn loop toward you, through the cast-on stitch (fig. 6c).
Knit Stitch, Continental Method: Figure 6c
Step 4: With the new stitch on the right needle, slip the old stitch off the left needle (fig. 6d). Unlike the cast-on stitches, the new knit stitches are held on the right needle.
Knit Stitch, Continental Method: Figure 6d
You have just knit your first stitch, Continental style. Repeat until all the cast-on stitches have been knit.
Step 1: After casting on, cast on one more st than the pattern
asks for
Step 2: Use the right needle to slip the first CO st from the
left needle over to the right needle
Step 3: Use the left needle to take the last CO st and slip it
over the first st (that you just moved over) and off the end of the right
needle so that it is looped around the first CO st
Step 4: Slip the first CO st on the right needle back over to
the left needle
Step 5: Take the cast on
yarn and the working yarn and pull them tight until the last CO st cannot be
seen
The first stitch on your needle for most cast-on methods is a slipknot.
Step 1: Hold the yarn in your left hand about 8 inches from the end. With your right hand, make a circle with the yarn (fig. 1a). If it's helpful, hold the circle together between your index finger and thumb to prevent it from slipping away.
Making a Slipknot: Figure 1a
Step 2: With the working yarn behind the circle, insert the knitting needle through the circle from front to back and catch the working yarn, pulling it through the circle and forming a loop (fig. 1b).
Making a Slipknot: Figure 1b
Step 3: With the new loop on the needle in your right hand, gently pull both yarns (the tail and the working yarn attached to the ball) beneath the needle, then pull on the working yarn to tighten the new loop so that it fits snuggly around the needle (fig. 1c).
Making a Slipknot: Figure 1c
Simple Cast-on (Backward Loop Cast-on)
This cast-on is probably the easiest to learn, but it doesn't have a neat edge like other cast-ons. Use it when working a few cast-on stitches or on buttonholes. This cast-on tends to grow longer and become less manageable as you work the first row of knitting, and the cast-on stitches tighten, making it difficult to insert the needle.
Step 1: Place the slipknot on an empty needle with the yarn tail in back and the working yarn in front. Hold this needle with the slipknot in your right hand.
Step 2: With working yarn in your left hand, wrap the working yarn over your thumb from front to back, and grasp it with your remaining fingers to tension (fig. 4a).
Simple Cast-on (Backward Loop Cast-on): Figure 4a
Step 3: Insert the needle under the yarn looped around your thumb, working from bottom to top (fig. 4b). Pull up on the needle a little as you slide the yarn off your thumb and onto the needle.
Simple Cast-on (Backward Loop Cast-on): Figure 4b
Step 4: Gently pull on the working yarn to tighten the new stitch on the needle (fig. 4c).
Simple Cast-on (Backward Loop Cast-on): Figure 4c
Repeat steps 2-4 to cast on as many stitches as desired. End with step 4.
