How to change colours in knitting

Published on September 8, 2026 by Sophie

Whether you’re a knitting newbie or a craft connoisseur, working in beautifully bright and fabulously fun colours is the simplest way to give your projects pizzazz! Learn how to change colours in knitting and you’ll open up a whole new realm of possibilities.

The easiest way to introduce colour is to create stripes – working with one colour at a time to create a single fabric. Joining a new colour isn’t as hard as you think, as you’ll learn in our super simple step-by-step guide.

How to change colours in knitting step-by-step

Insert the needle into the first stitch, loop the new colour over the tip of the right hand needle and knit the first stitch.

Pick up the short length, taking it under the long length and place it on needle.

Holding the shorter length down, knit the next stitch, catching the short end a second time.

Repeat, weaving the end over 8 stitches until it is secure.

Pro Tip

Avoid joining yarns in the middle of the row as it can be difficult to prevent the knot and loose ends from showing. Don’t work the old and the new yarn together for a few stitches in order to secure ends. This will give it a double thickness and create an uneven fabric.

Knit the rainbow

Easy Rainbow Baby Romper & Bonnet Set

Rainbow Connection

Rainbow

Dog Rainbow Stripe Onesie

Sugar Striped Jumper - Free Knitting Pattern For Women in Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Chunky

"Baby Blanket" - Free Blanket Crochet Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK

Shop Free Patterns for Beginners

Cheat your way to stripes with self-striping yarns

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