End-less Knitting

Finishing starts at the beginning: Strategies to avoid or reduce yarn ends
by Jackie E-S

This is the second in a series about making the finishing steps of your knitting project easier and seem effortless. If you missed the Introduction and first article on "To Seam or Not to Seam?", check the Index of Jackie E-S Articles & Tips.

Another thing that can help reduce time and aggravation in your finishing, is what I call end-less knitting. In choosing or planning your project, think about options that help reduce ends that need to be woven in later.

Opt for a single continuous (and knotless!) project-sized supply of yarn

A continuous ball/skein/cone of yarn means you only have ends at the beginning and end of your project, plus possibly wherever else cuts need to be made. Check your project's yardage requirements, and consider larger balls/skeins/cones to cover your needs if available.

If you are a spinner, you have control over the length of yarns you make (possibly within the limitations of your equipment). Use it to your best advantage if you already have a project in mind.

Knots in yarn mean ends

Knots in yarn are best advised to be cut out and the ends secured. So that means more ends. You can't always be assured that a ball/skein/cone of yarn will not have a knot. But certainly opt for first quality yarns and relegate any yarns that you have experienced many knots to smaller projects (or just avoid them)! The better mills will splice yarn ends, so that although there is a join, there is no knot.

Considerations for beaded knitting

If you are knitting with beads strung on your yarn, it is especially important to check that you will not encounter any knots later. Beads just don't go over knots, so you not only end up with extra ends, but also the hassle of transferring your beads to the section beyond the knot.

What's next

In other segments on "Finishing as an in Process Activity" and "Finishing It Off" I re-visit the topic on Dealing with Yarn Ends. The next article in the series on "Finishing Starts at the Beginning" is To Swatch or Not?. I will leave you with the thought of how in the world "swatching" relates to "finishing"!

Return to Index of Jackie E-S Articles & Tips.