Starting or adding in new yarn can be done in so many ways. Here are three ways that I start and end a yarn and how I choose which one to use. I’m going to talk about sheds a lot, so if you want a refresher on them, click here.
Tail Tuck
The tail tuck is the basic go-to join for most weavers. It is easy and doesn’t require a lot of extra fuss. You simply leave about a 6’’-inch long tail hanging out of the shed when you start a new yarn. Change sheds and then tuck the tail back into the new shed about 1” from the selvedge. It leaves a little bit of bulk at the join where the yarns double up, but for most applications it works just fine.
Ply-Slit Join
Those who have hung out with me for any length of time know what a fan I am of this join. It creates an almost seamless integration. I use it when working with bulky yarns or doing a lot of colorwork. It is easier to demonstrate than explain, so I popped in a new quick tips video on my YouTube channel.
This join can also be worked in the middle of the cloth to incorporate more weft of the same color. You can see how that is worked on page 25 of Handwoven Home.
Feathering
We covered this join in the Summer 2018 Rag Rug Weave-Along. It is used with super bulky yarns, such as rug weft. To work this join, you slim down the tail by cutting it at an angle or snipping out a few plies. Shown here is the join worked in the middle, but you can also use it to slim down a tail tuck.
These are the joins I use most often: the tail tuck for weaves where I’m using a single weft throughout the weave, ply-split join when I’m doing a lot of colorwork, and feathering for bulky wefts.
Heddles Up!
Liz
Hi, Liz,
I am about to enter the Wide World of Weaving through your new weave-along, and was feeling very unsure of how you change weft colors. What perfect timing for this post! Thank you!
I’ll give you some further tips when we get to weaving week. Welcome!