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Creating a Russian join magic yarn ball is a simple way to organize your scrap yarn. I'm certainly guilty of having way too much scrap yarn in my yarn collection. It's so difficult to throw away yarn when I know that it can be used. However, leftover yarn usually isn't enough for an entire project, so it ends up sitting in my yarn bins forever, never being used. If you can relate to this, then making a Russian join magic yarn ball is the perfect solution for your yarn hoarding!
This tutorial will show you how to make a yarn ball for your yarn scrap projects. Scrap crochet and knit patterns are fabulous because they help use up scrap yarn. However, with so many frequent color changes, trying to keep up with many balls of scrap yarn can take time and effort. That's where the Russian join ball comes in. This ball connects all of your scrap yarn into one rainbow yarn ball that can be used for scrap projects. In this tutorial, I will show you every step of creating your very own magic yarn ball.
With the Russian join method, you won't have to weave in your ends as you knit or crochet. Instead, you can fly through your project with ease! My favorite part about the Russian join method is not having to weave in ends at the end of a knit or crochet project. I'm terrible about leaving all of the yarn tails until the very end to weave in all at once. With the Russian join method, all of the work is done upfront, so you can craft without worrying about having too many yarn tails to tuck in at the end.
If you're interested in learning how to make your very own rainbow ball of yarn using your scraps, then keep scrolling to find the tutorial below.
Russian Join Yarn Ball Tutorial
Step 1: Gather your scrap yarn
The first step in creating a Russian join yarn ball is to gather your scrap yarn. Yes, that means digging into the depths of your yarn stash and pulling out those long-forgotten tangled balls of yarn. No judgment here; my yarn stash is an unsightly mess. I'm always saving little bits of yarn that I know I'll never realistically use.
I'm sure you can relate that many yarn scraps saved after knitting and crochet projects are not enough for another project, but it's too much to throw away. It's always an awkward length, but it's still worth saving. My new favorite thing to do with yarn scraps of awkward lengths is to turn them into a beautiful rainbow yarn ball. This tutorial will show you how to create your very own rainbow Russian join yarn ball, but the first step is to gather your yarn.
Pull out all the scrap yarn pieces you want to use in your magic yarn ball. I like the look of frequent color changes in scrap yarn projects, so sometimes, I cut my scraps into smaller pieces. For example, if I notice that I have a lot of one color, I might cut it into two or three smaller yarn lengths so that one color doesn't overtake my project. Long lengths of the same color can be stunning for larger scrap projects. Still, I like to have frequent color changes in smaller projects to emphasize the scrappiness.
You can also order your scraps based on color or randomly pick the order. I like to do a mix of both. When creating my Russian join yarn balls, I try to be as random as possible. However, I still avoid using colors that are too similar or clash terribly next to each other. You can opt to thoroughly plan out the color changes, be surprised entirely, or a mix of both.
Once you've decided on which scraps to use, it's time to start making the ball.
Step 2: Create the first loop.
The Russian join method of joining yarn involves creating loops in the yarn that are then joined together. Creating your Russian join yarn ball requires a lot of sewing in the ends initially. Still, it will make for a smoother knitting or crocheting process by avoiding the dreaded task of weaving in ends. The ends are all already tucked away by using the loop method.
The loops also create a solid join. The two colors of yarn that you join together cannot be pulled apart due to the nature of the loop. The photo tutorial below outlines each step, but the basic premise is using a tapestry needle to pull apart the individual strands of yarn and pulling the new color through the original yarn color. This essentially creates one strand of yarn rather than two.
Select one of your scrap yarns to be the first color of the yarn ball. Then, follow the photo tutorial below.
Step 3: Join the next color
Once the first loop is created, it's time to join the second color of yarn. As I mentioned, you can either plan out all your color changes or reach into your yarn stash randomly to select the next color.
This step is the same as the first step except that you will begin with the second yarn color already through the loop you made in step one. Connecting the two loops together is how the Russian join technique creates a strong hold between two strands of yarn.
Select your next scrap yarn ball to join to the first. Follow the photo tutorial below to join the two yarns together.
Step 4: Secure the connection
Now that the two yarn colors are looped together, it's time to secure them. This step is super easy; all you do is pull the two yarn tails until the loops close and cut the ends. Grab both yarn tails at the same time and pull tightly. The yarn loops will begin to close, and the join between the two colors will be seamless. Pull until it is completely tight and there is no gap between the loops.
You can massage your yarn connection to ensure everything is the proper tension and nothing is pulled too tight or loose. At this point, it should look like one strand of yarn that suddenly changes colors, almost like color-changing yarn you can buy in the store. You can even try this technique with whole skeins of yarn if you want to make a custom color-changing yarn!
Step 5: Repeat
Continue following steps 2-4 until all of your yarn scraps are connected. This process is a bit time-consuming, but in my opinion, it's much better than weaving in ends. Once you start knitting or crocheting, you won't have to stop to change colors. The Russian join method eliminates the yarn ends hanging off of your project as you knit or crochet. Those yarn ends can often get in the way as you're working. Plus, many crafters agree that weaving in the ends is the worst part about knitting and crocheting. Doing all of the tedious work of joining yarn in the beginning before you start your project makes for an easier time after your project is finished.
Although I love that the Russian join yarn ball eliminates the need for weaving in ends, I also love the surprise color changes. Once I wind my magic yarn ball, I tend to forget what order I put the yarn in. It's fun to be knitting or crocheting along, and suddenly, the color changes. I even think it makes me work faster because I'm looking forward to what color will come next!
What to do with scrap yarn?
Looking for something to do with your scrap yarn? I have patterns for that! Now that you’ve learned how to make a Russian join magic yarn ball, it’s time to try it out with your scrap yarn stash! Put your new knowledge of Russian join to the test with one of my scrapy yarn patterns.
Scrappy Scrunchy - Russian Join Knit Pattern
The scrappy scrunchy is knit using the Russian join method, and it is a great way to use up scraps. There are two versions of the scrunchy available: Super Scrappy and Slightly Scrappy. You can select which version to make based on how much scrap yarn you want to use up.
The Scrappy Scrunchy pattern is available for FREE on this blog, and an ad-free PDF version is available on my Ravelry and Etsy. Plus, it's also available on Ribblr as an interactive pattern.
Scrappy the Lion - Russian Join Crochet Pattern
Looking for a crochet Russian join project? Then Scrappy the Lion is the perfect pattern for you. Like the scrappy scrunchy, there are two versions to the pattern depending on how much scrap yarn you want to use up.
The Scrappy the Lion pattern is available as an ad-free PDF on Ravelry and Etsy. Plus, it is available on Ribblr as an interactive pattern.