Adding a New Skein -- Circular Knitting

If only all yarn came on giant skins with never a knot or imperfection to sully it's grandeur.

However, that is not to be!

When adding a new skein of yarn I am a member of the no knots camp.  (Temporary ones are acceptable at an edge to be seamed, but it should, in my humble opinion  be removed before the seaming.)

If there are to be seamed edges, I always try to add my new yarn at the edge.  When working with a cardigan in one piece or sometimes a shawl or scarf, having a tail to weave at the edge is not ideal.  When working in the round, there are no edges.

This, then is my favorite way to add a new ball of yarn.  It leaves no ends to weave in, no holes, and no tension issues.  It doesn't always work on bulky yarns, but in most cases, I am happy with this method.  It works best in stockinette stitch, but can be adapted for other stitch patterns with a little experimenting.

When there is only enough yarn to knit another 12 to 16 stitches, pick up the new yarn and catch the end, much as you would when working a two color project. (I am using a blue yarn for this demonstration.)

12 to 16 stitches left on old skein

Knit a stitch with the 'old' yarn, catch the new yarn in the next stitch and repeat a couple of times.

This is how it will look from the Wrong Side

Now alternate knitting with the new yarn and the old yarn for 4 to 8 stitches.

Finally repeat the 'catch and knit' sequence with the old and new yarns swapping places and knit forth!

Right Side

Wrong Side

Because of the pattern to this cowl (purl & slips every other row), I worked another full row before using the same catching method to take care of the little tails left behind.

Final product (after I removed the blue yarn and redid with the green):

Wrong Side

Right Side

Can you tell a new skein was added?