Changing wool (or yarn) on a loom, particularly in loom knitting as suggested by the reference, involves seamlessly transitioning from one color or ball of yarn to another to continue your project.
While the overall process includes finishing off the old yarn and securely attaching the new, a specific technique shown in the reference video describes how to manage the tail of the old yarn after the change has been initiated.
Managing the Old Yarn Tail
According to the reference provided from a video titled "How To Change Colors On a Round and Long Loom Knitting...", a key step involves handling the tail of the yarn you are finishing with:
- Hold the Tail: Take the tail of the yarn you are changing from and hold it securely, often against the loom itself or with your fingers.
- Pull the Source Yarn: While holding the tail, locate the part of the old yarn that goes back into the project (the "source yarn") and pull it gently.
- Eliminate the Loop: This action is intended to pull a loop out and away from the working area, essentially tightening or tidying the stitch where the old yarn ends. The goal is for "the loop to go away now," ensuring "your yarn is ready" for the next step, likely weaving in the tail.
This method focuses on neatly securing the end of the finished yarn, preparing it for weaving in later, and ensuring a smooth join where the new yarn takes over.
General Steps for Changing Yarn (Contextual)
While the reference focuses on finishing the old yarn, the broader process of changing yarn on a loom typically includes:
- Finishing the Old Yarn: Work until you have enough yarn left for a tail (usually 4-6 inches) and cut the yarn.
- Attaching the New Yarn: Introduce the new yarn. This can be done by tying a knot to the old yarn tail, using a Russian join, or simply laying the new yarn alongside the old on the peg where the change occurs and continuing to knit, leaving both tails to be woven in later.
- Continuing to Knit/Weave: Proceed with your stitches using the new yarn, ensuring the tails are left free to be managed later, possibly using the technique described in the reference.
Managing the yarn tails, such as pulling the source yarn to remove a loop as shown in the reference, is crucial for creating a clean and secure finish when changing colors or adding new yarn on your loom knitting project.
