Westknits MKAL: Locking in your ends as you go, a better alternative to Weavin' Stephen

[@NimbleNeedles]

I entirely agree. It's so much neater in most cases to weave them in separately. (and I wish we could stop calling it "weavin' stephen". It's just weave in as you go and the technique has been around for centuries).

[@gardenvarietyfae]

If you watch his other videos on the Weavin' Stephen, he recommends that you start weaving in the new end a ways before, then when you start knitting with the new yarn, it's already woven in, and you just weave in the old yarn tail after that, so it's only one end at a time.

[@gundulam.3748]

This is also a good option but you have to be careful with your new yarn. It can happen that the colour shines through where you have woven it in. In many cases this doesn't matter, in some cases it would and you should choose an other technique.

[@charlenecrochetcorner789]

Thank you Thank you!❤❤I am a brand new baby knitter. And I'm frightened most of the time to ven look up directions. You made it really easy

[@SweaterWeatherPodcast]

I wasn’t loving the fabric distortion with the weavin Stephen. I’m so happy I came across your tutorial. ❤ Thank you.

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad it was helpful! Happy Knitting!!

[@jennylarking1936]

As a Fairisle hat knitter I always use the method you demonstrated because I hate weaving in dozens of ends at the end. Sometimes it is annoying if you are changing colours a lot but it is so much easier than Stephen’s method. In fact I haven’t seen his tutorial, just came across yours and was pleased to find I am doing something right! Thanks

[@MarlyBird]

I agree with you

[@tamaragrottker7677]

I think I have being both methods for over 40 years. I was knitting an intarsia piece that had over 10 different colors. It was a nightmare to think to go back and use a darning needle to secure all the ends, so I just weaved in the ends as if to catch the floats method or the "weave-in-Steven" way. I never thought it was a "thing" until I started watching Mr. West's videos. But thank you for confirming that I have been on the right track for solving these problems.

[@Yarn_Lab]

I mean none of these techniques are a 'thing', this idea certainly isn't original to me and a doubt the weavin' stephen is truly original to him. We knitters are great problem solvers and too many ends is a problem we all dislike. The longer you knit, the better you can solve problems like this. I can't imagine what I might get up to with my knitting with 40 years of experience like yourself!!

[@lindaayala6541]

I call this the knitting tip of the century! Many, many thanks! 🥇🏆🥇

[@kpopadin]

This is exactly how I do it and your video makes it so clear, thank you! My test knitters for a new design wanted a good visual demonstration of this technique and I'm so happy and grateful to be able to share your video!

[@Yarn_Lab]

Thanks for the comment! I went and found your patterns on Ravelry, I'll have to knit a pair (or two) of your adorable baby booties! My brother is expecting his first this summer. I just bought the Crayon ones!

[@bearitraeb]

I have watched many weaving techniques and this one comes closest to the way I have self trial and error learned :) many blessings. All in all, its personal preference. Do not let anyone ever tell you, you are not doing things the way they should be done. Weave your own way and beauty follows.

[@pegthebookprizeaddict579]

Love this! It is even easier if you can carry the cut end in your left hand like in 2 handed color work. I have been doing it but with both ends at the same time so I learned the final step I needed from this (weave in the new end the second row down!) Many thanks and happy knitting!🥳🧶😻😂

[@Yarn_Lab]

I wish I could effectively knit colourwork two handed, I can a little if it's repetitive patterns (1 and 1, 2 and 2) but I find it slow and clunky since I'm a thrower who is not used to tensioning my yarns around my fingers. Happy knitting to you too!!

[@osmia]

+

[@ChickenLadyFiberArts]

I've always preferred the 'locking in my stitch' method. Thank you for your tutorial - concise and easy to follow.

[@shllybkwrm]

Agreed, this method is much better. It's known as the Philosopher's Wool method (or at least that's how I learned it from the Knitmore Girls years ago). Very fast with two handed colorwork or if you're weaving in a long end!

[@Amy-tn3qv]

Thank you so much! This was great!

[@johanneLepage26]

I am so happy that I came across your KZbin video, because I didn’t like Stephen West method, I weaved in my Clue 1 ends (manually afterwards) it took me SOOO…. long… Now for the rest of my life I will use your method. THANK YOU SO MUCH to share this with us !!!

[@dawnmason5681]

Fabulous - love this tip! 😊

[@sew_So_beautiful]

I love your method. Although Steven's method looked easy, I didn't like the messy look it had. I'm saving your video and will use that method to weave in my ends. I like the back of my work to look just as good as the front.

[@ooohlaa13]

Oh this is so great, love you for showing us this. I usually do it at the end, a real overwhelm when you use a lot of different yarns. Eager to try this for sure. Blessings!

[@fairygodfatherknits]

Thank you for saying this! I completely agree. I loved Weavin’ Stephen at first, and I do find it works well for stockingette. But then on garter projects I started majorly noticing that distortion you talk about; it’s huge and hideous in my opinion. I ended up developing a very similar method as you to deal with it! Thanks for sharing this!

[@Yarn_Lab]

Yes with stockinette the fabric is already thinner and flatter, so the wrapped ends don't feel quite as bulky, but especially in garter, not for me. I mean we spend all this money on yarn for projects like this, and then countless hours knitting, I personally think why take a shortcut that leaves such visible results. Thanks for the watch and comment, happy knitting!

[@lornapowell9383]

So pleased I’ve seen this, wasn’t happy at all with the WS effect as it shows so much on the back. I’ll be using your method from now on, thank you

[@joannfoster9082]

Yay! I’ve been doing this for years, kind of inventing it myself. I’m so happy to see you teaching this method! 😊

[@jamainekaessler4453]

I like your tecnique ❤ thank you ❤

[@Macharaology]

For someone who’s never tried catching floats… this method is wonderful. Now I can try color work too. Thank you 😊

[@Yarn_Lab]

glad you found it helpful! and absolutely give colour work a try, its one of my favourite things to knit!

[@elisekt1860]

This was a great demonstration for locking in the floats. I never understood it because I was knitting the end, so it didn’t work. Now I understand what they meant by over under. Thank you.

[@elsiemurray75]

Very good tutorial. Thank you

[@_cate_c]

Thank you! Such a good idea! Bless you for sharing!

[@kristencarico9804]

Thank you for this! I’ve tried this method before but could never really grasp it. This was so helpful and now I know for a fact I’ll be able to do this. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@suetupper9162]

Omg!!!....wowow....ive been doing his method for a long time but i did find the same issue...so happy to have found this! Thank you! ❤❤❤❤

[@judithjunop]

Left handed weave in Stephen. Thank you so much. I have been doing this some of the time but not consistently but I'll do this for part 3 other side plus clue 4. Thank you for taking the time to record and share

[@amarasharon]

I love that technique and use it whenever changing colors.

[@JaneTunbridgeStoner]

A much better idea. I wish that I had found this earlier in the MKAL. Thank you

[@aliciacruz4955]

I’ve had seen this technique before but your explanation is the best. Easy to understand whats done, Ty❤

[@lindalangeheine5787]

YES! I've been using this method since I started Fair-Isle work. Since I can knit both continental and American (?!) style, I hold the thread to be floated with the index finger of the left hand and hold it in front of the needle while I flick the other color around. Before pulling the stitch through, my left index finger just moves the floating thread back. Hard to explain but easy to do.

[@Yarn_Lab]

Absolutely, I wish I was skilled enough to knit two handed with ease. But I'm a thrower, and also too impatient to have slow down and feel like I'm fumbling for long enough to get proficient at either flicking or continental. Knitters like yourself who knit colourwork two handed with ease absolutely inspire me!

[@joanneboag5993]

Great technique! Also great for joining a new ball!!

[@Yarn_Lab]

Absolutely, I use this method as much as I can when I am knitting, like most knitter I dislike weaving in ends at the end of a project!

[@flyingcloud9253]

Fabulous! I am going to use this technique in the sweater I am working on. Thanks.

[@saramorgan9473]

I just started a scrappy blanket, and I’m so happy I stumbled across your video! I keep hearing « weave in your ends as you go » but didn’t know what that meant. #newishknitter

[@hitzchicky]

I do frequently use this method for joining a new ball of yarn. It's especially helpful when you're working in the round because if you lock in the end of your new yarn a little bit before you reach the joint and then lock in the old yarn as you're working with the new yarn, you can really effectively avoid the gap that you would normally see in stockinette in the round. However, I would not necessarily call. These locked in. The yarn is effectively just laying in a channel behind the knit stitches. If you find the beginning of that yarn where you joined, you can actually just pull that strand right out of your knitting. I think for stickier woolly yarns it's probably not going to be an issue. However, if you're working with cotton or acrylics, i would not rely on this method on its own. I typically do this to basically spread apart where my ends are and then weave them normally afterwards. This way I don't have to try and leave two strands at the exact same spot in my piece.

[@Yarn_Lab]

You're absolutely right the end can be caught and pulled out, however I do find that if it is woven in over a couple of inches it's not anymore likely than any other stitch to be caught and pulled. Even with cotton yarns (the striped project is 100% cotton) or acrylic (some which can be surprisingly grippy). Where this technique would run into problems I think is if the knitting were a particularly loose gauge. I called it locking in your ends because it comes from locking your floats, that's all. Thanks for the watch and the comment!!

[@elcajondeestelabarcenas7713]

Muchísimas gracias! Aplicare tu técnica a mi Mkal!

[@Bobbakerfield]

Very good and informative video. I have seen some other videos that go over the lock in color method but they always had you wrap the trail end of the yarn around in the other direction before completing the stitch. Good to know you can skip that step and get the same result. Less steps to complete a method means easier to remember when I need it. Was also good to learn I don't have to put the yarn between the needles when weaving in the ends. Anything that saves time but requires less precision to execute, but gets the same result is always awesome to learn. Thank you for sharing you insights.

[@maureenkirby514]

Good video, people should appreciate your technique, blends in so well.

[@redredwine1277]

Well explained and illustrated, thanks for sharing ❤❤❤

[@ianwalsh6864]

Thanks a lot for this. Sooooooo....helpful.❤

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RuthannH]

I tried your way and, to me, my fabric laid flatter and it looked much neater on the backside. THANK YOU for your tip! 👍

[@janeshipley6993]

thank you, thank you! that distortion really bugged me, but i didn’t know any other way to work the ends. now i do. yay!!

[@lynellerobertson2295]

Brilliant I wondered why he was doing it that way I use this technique for stripes period Either he did it for simplicity with newer knitters or he is not as smart as he thinks he is Thankyou for for better method

[@Yarn_Lab]

I certainly don't think it has anything to do with smarts. The thing with knitting is that there are so many ways to do a particular thing, but we often stick with the way we are used to. When I first learned long tail cast ons I used them for absolutely everything, even when patterns called for other cast on methods. When I finally unbent enough to give other ones a try I immediately saw that different methods can be useful for different things. The Weavin' Stephen is great for its simplicity of teaching. With so many new knitters diving into his projects, and the approximately 5 million colour changes he uses, I can see why that's the way he might teach it.

[@Strik.med.Trillemor]

Thank you so much for this tip, I will definitely use it in my next project 😍

[@sharishaw32]

Thank you so much for such a detailed video!

[@annehayward3506]

Love this technique thank you for sharing

[@janedaniel7288]

Thank you for a clear instruction of this technique. xxJane 🐑

[@janicegrima6593]

Thanks for showing us 😊

[@Netti_O]

This is a very great method. I will use it fron now on. Thank you!

[@wendyellis6402]

I always do it this way 😊

[@rachelmitchell2144]

This is fab!! Thank you! 💚🧶

[@Liz.Green789]

Thank you for the helpful tip.

[@valeriemoorcroft6838]

I'm a new subscriber, and I'm so pleased to see that I've been knitting exactly the same way as you do with the floats. I thought that it was my idea 😅 but now know that it isn't 😂 My Nana taught me to knit when I was young. I'm thinking that she probably taught me that way too! Thank you so much.

[@paintnknitter]

Thanks for your video. That’s how I do it.

[@celineocallaghan7919]

That works and looks so much better, Thankyou so much❤

[@Yarn_Lab]

You're welcome 😊

[@CalypsoCitlali]

Very good idea of yours! ❤

[@Roxannedearartworks]

Really helpful thank you!

[@lisafall3561]

It’s so funny that I came across your video. I tried Stephen’s technique for the first time yesterday and did not like it for the same reasons you spoke of. I went back to my usual technique which is exactly what you described.

[@Yarn_Lab]

Yep, I am certainly not the first knitter to use this technique, I just wanted to put it out there as an option for those who may not be familiar with it. Happy knitting!

[@ciannacoleman5125]

I like this method. will have to use it on my next project (not doing the MKAL this year unfortunately).

[@katlin7681]

I think, this is a better method , I've struggelt with Weave'in Stephen . Thank you so much.

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carolinagirlstitcher]

This is genius! Thank you!❤

[@neilstephen6761]

Fabulous technique

[@krisvanallen]

I do the second method also, but with a minor change: rather than lay the yarn between the needles, I lay it over the working yarn behind the needles. Still every other stitch. I weave each color on different rows also. Works great for flat pieces.

[@Yarn_Lab]

absolutely, I'm trying to visualize where you're laying the end, might need to grab some knitting and give it a try!

[@krisvanallen]

@@Yarn_Lab it’s very similar to what you do. As I start the new color, I enter a stitch, lay the tail over the working yarn in the back, and finish the stitch. The next stitch is worked as usual. Then enter the third st, lay the tail over the working yarn in the back, and finish the st. So it is an over and under thing in the back. It looks like how I weave in the ends when I am finished. The next right row I do the same with the other tail.

[@paulinkamakkinje3413]

Thank you, I agree that the gaps you get with the Weavin Stephen are annoying, so from now on I'll use the technique you just showed! 😊😊😊

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad you found it helpful! Happy knitting!

[@janetdaum7395]

I thought about doing it The way you’re showing and then thought I’ve never tried weavin Stephen. I didn’t really like leaving both ends and at the same time but that’s what I’ve been doing. The problem comes when you’re knitting in the round and garter you can’t really weave in the second end on the purl row. I’m still trying to figure out what looks best! Thanks for the video to confirm that I could do it your way, which I had never thought of for weaving in, and just for catching floats!

[@Yarn_Lab]

Just weave in on the next knit pass, knit flat it really is first woven in on one row, then the knit back row is equivalent to your purl round, the weave in on the next knit row. Thanks for the watch and the comment, happy knitting!!

[@audreyburton685]

Yes! This is how I do mine-except, I hold the weaving thread in my left hand.

[@theflamingpearl]

Excellent information :) thank you! I have about a zillion ends to weave in on my new cardigan as I striped a secondary alpaca silk along with the lettlopi yarn and changed the color every four garter ridges! So this technique would have been so helpful in the beginning! I have started about three new projects to avoid having to resume knitting on that project but now I have a solution for the alpaca silk ends on the sleeves and hoodie when I resume :)

[@Yarn_Lab]

I'm glad you found it helpful! be careful not to work them in too tightly on the sleeves, I find it can sometimes snug things up on smaller circumferences. I bet the cardigan will turn out nicely!

[@lindaalikhan7962]

Looking forward to trying this.

[@maggierahn4576]

So clever! Thanks!

[@jennifertaylor7021]

Great technique! Thanks

[@katibere1966]

This is awesome…thank you!!

[@ceciliacondal958]

What a great option!❤

[@jessicaolney4900]

Agree; that is the method I have used before I heard of Steven's method...I think it was a short tutorial from Summer Lee back when she made videos. It's definitely my go-to and I agree that it leaves the transitions much more smooth.

[@suzannebrannan9715]

Love your technique. I don't mind sewing in ends and never cared for the weaven stephen technique. I will be using your technique and probably on many projects in the future. Thanks for sharing.

[@Yarn_Lab]

Happy to share! Thanks for the watch and the comment, happy knitting!

[@teripersing]

Brilliant!

[@Treegona]

I'd say you can anchor your end every 2 or 3 stitches, if you anchor it more frequently at the end (or where you cut it off). Would also work Very well with a continental or picking style of knitting. And if you'd really want to secure both ends in one row, you could always do both at once, with each stitch trading off which color is being anchored. I'm personally a sucker for symmetry, so I think I might try anchoring my new end halfway through the row before the change, working to the turn in the old color, changing colors and then working to halfway with the new color while anchoring the old. Thanks for sharing! Oh, and I'll bet this method gives you less trouble with changes to stretch, too.

[@Yarn_Lab]

When I'm just locking down floats every two or 3 is fine, but for loose ends I really would recommend every other stitch, because I don't want to create a float that my catch on something and pull the end right out. Absolutely works well with other knitting styles, I just only knit throwing well enough to demo. You've go some great ideas for other ways to work it in, the best thing about knitting is that you can always experiment and go with what works best for you!! Happy knitting!

[@chantald9661]

Thank you for reminding me of this technique. I use it with stranded colourwork but hadn’t thought of using it for the Geogradient shawl. I never use the weaving Stephen method as I find it is not very pretty and looks sloppy (sorry Mr West). I usually prefer to weave the ends by following the stitches. I have tried it this week (i had the shawl in time out) and I like how it looks. I wish I had thought of it sooner 😅

[@aspahrkle808]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[@lolainma3218]

Thank you! I just might tackle a color work sweater now:)

[@cheryloverbay3779]

Great help🙂

[@francearchambault4218]

Great technique- thank you for the video

[@Yarn_Lab]

You are so welcome!

[@antoinettekellam6048]

Thanks like it so much better

[@debraeaton5184]

thank you very much!!

[@barbmckinlay5108]

I do this also with a slight variation for continental knitting.

[@chloebtvs]

Thanks for your tutorial! KZbin suggested it to me right after I made my very first weavin' Steven 😂 since I was planning on making it one strand by one strand, I tried your technique for the second strand. And on the wrong side it's indeed your technique that is the less visible, but actually it was yours that, for me, was more visible on the *right* side: my stitches were way looser. But I guess I just lack training... I never did any color work, but I have one in my wait list so this'll be the occasion to try and master your technique I guess 🤓

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad you found it helpful, but isn't that just the way it is with knitting, that the same stitches and technique in a different knitter's hands can have such a different outcome. If you do give colour work a try, watch out, I find it particularly hard to put down, very addictive! Happy knitting!!

[@chloebtvs]

@@Yarn_Lab yes totally! That's what it seems indeed with color work 😁 it would be a good kind of addiction 🤭 thanks a lot!

[@elissaschoening8621]

Your way is exactly how I weave in tails when I change yarn/start a new ball

[@gardenvarietyfae]

4:46 What I do for weaving in ends is a similar method to that, but with slight differences: If I'm adding in the yellow, I knit the first stitch with the yellow as normal, second stitch I lock down the yellow tail, third stitch brown, and then alternate locking down the yellow and brown tails so that each individual stitch only crosses one additional yarn, but I don't have to weave in my ends over two rows.

[@gardenvarietyfae]

I do think I lock it down a bit different though. I wrap the end as normal, wrap the new yarn, unwrap the end, which twists the tail in with the new yarn on the wrong side.

[@gemmaf_]

I use this technique for stripey socks. I do one end as I start the new colour at beginning of round and the other catching the loose end about 10sts before start of round, then pulling it through to tighten.

[@Lopezlinaresvintagejewelry]

Thanks a lot!!!!

[@heatherk.8182]

Thanks so much for sharing this technique. I also wasn’t loving the “weave-in Steven” method because of the look and this is much cleaner looking. Happy knitting! 😊

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@starrcookson]

Thanks, this is great! I used Weavin Stephen on the Painted Bricks shawl, but the distortion bothered me. Will be trying this on my next project with lots of ends.

[@laurap.7794]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

[@suzannejones5992]

Thank you.

[@amandadansie9534]

I’m struggling with silk slipping loose using the weavin Stephen - will certainly try this way ! 🤞🤞

[@Yarn_Lab]

Slick yarns may still sneak out this way (especially if you are knitting at a particularly loose gauge), so I'd try to give yourself a particularly long end for better luck?

[@Womenmatter2009]

Wow. Thank you !

[@jennyallan8794]

I could see how using W S way does leave a raised finish , I prefer to catch the flouts the way you were showing, thanks for sharing 😊

[@Yarn_Lab]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching, happy knitting!!

[@TheIntrepidSockKnitter]

Thank you! I've been using the Weavin' Stephen - I'm not getting the distortion on the RS, but the bulk on the WS is definitely there. I'm not loving the stop/start for Stephen's technique either, so I'm going to use your quicker and neater method! Glad your tutorial came into my feed today - liked and subscribed 😊

[@Yarn_Lab]

Glad to hear, and yes I think especially for flicker or continental knitters, the dropping your yarn each time to wrap the weavin' stephen can absolutely slow you down. Thanks for the like and the subscribe! Happy to have you here!!

[@pamela8975]

Thank you for this! I'm an adventurous beginner, never yet dared trying color work, currently beginning section 3 of Geogradient after having completed Aurora Cabin and just part of Shawlography. I always thought the Weavin Stepen looks like big scars on the back of the piece! Will definitely try your method... and hopefully it'll help build up my confidence to try color work! Happy Knitting 🧶😁

[@zoedoodle]

Thanks for this. It's always great to have more options for various situations. My lazy way is just to knit with the end and the new yarn together for 10 to 12 stitches. It seems to work fine for me but I'm not doing noticeable stripes in a stockinette stitch. I have an aversion to stripes 😨 so when I change color it is usually either in a garter stitch pattern or in gradual alternating color transition. My method seems invisible in fingering, sport & DK but not sure whether it would work for bulkier yarns.

[@Yarn_Lab]

That is exactly what I do when I don't have colour changes. Especially if the yarns are woolen spun!