Joining yarn in lace knitting is best done using knotless methods that create seamless, invisible joins, ensuring your openwork remains beautiful.
Why Seamless Joins Matter in Lace Knitting
Lace knitting features open, airy patterns where traditional knots can create unsightly bumps or holes. An invisible join ensures the change in yarn is practically undetectable, maintaining the integrity and delicate appearance of the lace fabric.
Knotless Joining Methods for Lace
Several techniques allow you to join yarn ends without creating a knot. These methods are ideal for lace because they blend the yarn fibers together, resulting in a smooth, strong connection that's virtually invisible.
1. Spit Splicing (Felting)
This method is highly recommended for lace knitting when using animal fibers like wool or alpaca, as these fibers have scales that can "felt" together when moistened and rubbed.
- How it works: You overlap the ends of the old and new yarn, moisten them (often with saliva, hence "spit splicing"), and then rub them vigorously between your palms. This interlocks the fibers, creating a continuous strand.
- Reference Insight: As mentioned in the reference regarding an invisible joining method, you can "burrow it in and then it'll just be one beautiful strand of yarn." This perfectly describes the result of a spit splice – the ends are integrated into a single, seamless piece of yarn. The result is a join where "both ends will be joined okay it'll look amazing."
- Best for: 100% wool or other animal fibers with good felting properties. Not suitable for plant fibers (cotton, linen) or synthetics (acrylic, nylon).
2. Russian Join
The Russian join is another effective knotless method that works well for various fiber types, including those that don't felt.
- How it works: You thread the end of each yarn back into itself using a darning needle, creating loops. These loops are then intertwined, and the working yarn is pulled to tighten the join. The ends are essentially woven back into their own plies.
- Best for: Any yarn type, including non-feltable fibers. It can add a slight bit of thickness at the join, but it is still much less noticeable than a knot.
Comparison of Knotless Joins
| Method | Works Best With | Visibility (Lace) | Ease of Learning | Creates Bulk? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spit Splicing | Wool/Animal Fibers | Excellent (Near Invisible) | Easy | No |
| Russian Join | Any Fiber Type | Very Good | Medium | Minimal |
Weaving in Ends in Lace
While knotless joins reduce the need to weave in ends, you may still have very short tails to secure. In lace, it's crucial to weave them discreetly into the edges or a non-lace section if possible, being careful not to distort the openwork pattern. Knotless joins minimize the length of ends you need to handle, making this step easier.
By choosing a knotless technique like spit splicing or the Russian join, you can seamlessly transition between yarn balls, keeping your lace knitting project looking its best from start to finish.
