Let’s be honest: weaving in ends is no one’s favorite part of knitting.
But it is one of the most important steps if you want your finished project to look polished, wearable, and long-lasting. The good news? With a little strategy, you can dramatically reduce the number of ends you need to deal with in the first place.
The Best Way to Weave in Ends Is to Avoid Them
Before we talk about weaving in ends, let’s talk about preventing them.
Any time you’re working with:
- Multiple skeins
- Color changes
- New balls of yarn
You have an opportunity to choose a joining method that creates one continuous strand instead of two loose ends.
Fewer ends = less finishing work later.
Spit Splice for Animal Fibers
If your yarn is made from animal fibers like:
- Wool
- Alpaca
- Silk
A spit splice is often the cleanest, strongest option.
Spit splicing works because animal fibers have microscopic scales that grip onto each other when moistened and rubbed together. Once joined, the yarn behaves like a single strand — no knots, no tails, no weaving required.
It’s especially useful for:
- Garments
- Colorwork
- Large projects with frequent joins
Yes, it involves saliva. Yes, it works beautifully.
(A warning: Superwash fibers may not spit splice successfully, but you won’t know until you try.)
Plant Fibers Need a Different Approach
Plant fibers like:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Bamboo
don’t have those grippy scales, so they won’t felt together. For these yarns, you’ll want a mechanical join instead.
This video shows three great options:
They take a bit of practice, but once you’ve used them a few times, they become second nature — and absolutely worth the effort.
Weaving In Ends As You Go
If you are working on a project with several skeins and/or several colors, it’s worth considering weaving in your ends as you go. I like The Weavin’ Stephen or just holding the ends double for several stitches.
Colorwork and Skein Changes: Plan Ahead
If you’re working with multiple colors or alternating skeins, a little planning goes a long way.
Some tips:
- Join new yarns at the edge when possible
- Use continuous join methods instead of knots
- Deal with ends as you go instead of saving them all for the end
Future you will be grateful.
Weaving in Ends Is Part of Knitting (Even If We Pretend It’s Not)
As tempting as it is to declare a project “done” when the last stitch is bound off, weaving in ends is part of finishing — right up there with blocking.
A well-woven end:
- Stays put through wear and washing
- Disappears into the fabric
- Keeps your project looking intentional and professional
It’s not glamorous, but it matters. And there are lots of different ways to do it.
A Little Effort Now Saves a Lot Later
Minimizing ends, choosing the right joining method, and weaving carefully are small steps that make a big difference in how your knitting holds up over time.
Think of it as a final act of care before blocking for something you spent hours creating.
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