When we complain about the wrong things (and why slubs in yarn are not a defect)

We live in an age where people complain often. Sometimes with good reason, other times without truly understanding what they are buying or using.
In the world of yarns — especially natural, artisanal, or quality industrial ones — this happens more often than you might think.

A concrete example?
A customer complained because, in a very thick yarn cone (Nm 2.500) for knitting, she found a few knots.

Let's see together why it's not a defect, why it's normal, and above all how to properly manage knots while knitting.

Knots in yarn: let's start with reality

Yarn is not a printed synthetic product, but comes from:

• natural fibers

• mechanical processes

• industrial and artisanal processes

• inevitable interruptions during spinning

Knots are not placed randomly and are not a sign of poor quality.
They are the natural result of a real, not artificial, process.

Even in the best Italian spinning mills in the world, knots always exist.

What a splicer is (and why it can't always be used)

A splicer is a machine that joins two ends of yarn without a knot, using compressed air or water to intertwine the fibers.
The result is a join that is:

• cleaner

• more even

• almost invisible

But there's a problem (physical, not commercial)

With very thick yarns, such as:

• Nm 2.500

• yarns for large needles

• chunky or super bulky yarns

👉 the splicer DOES NOT work.

The reason is simple:

• the fibers are too bulky

• the twist is different

• it's not possible to guarantee a stable joint

In these cases, the only possible technical solution is a knot.

“But then I'll buy the yarn directly from the spinning mill”

In theory, that sounds good.
In practice:

• ❌ spinning mills only sell to VAT-registered businesses

• ❌ they often require high minimum order quantities

• ❌ the retail price would be more than double

• ❌ you would still find knots at the spinning mill

Yes, you read that right:
even yarn purchased directly from the manufacturer has knots.

Why?
Because yarn is only continuous in theory, not in productive reality.

The knot isn't the problem. It's how you work it.

Knitters know this:
a knot doesn't ruin a garment, if you know how to manage it.

How to properly work a knot in knitting

Here are the practical rules 👇

1. NEVER knit the knot as it is

The knot should not be worked into the stitch.

2. Untie the knot

As soon as you encounter it:

• stop

• gently untie it

3. Use the overlapping technique

• overlap the two ends by 6–8 cm

• knit normally, taking both strands

• after a few rows, trim the excess

Alternatively:

• you can use the invisible join technique

• or micro-felting (only with animal fibers)

4. Position the yarn change intelligently

• on the side of your work

• near a seam

• never in the center on a visible stitch

Yarn without knots does not exist (if it's real)

If a yarn:

• is natural

• is thick

• is not fake or glued

• is not plastic

👉 it will have knots, sooner or later.

And this is not a defect, but proof that:

• it hasn't been "manipulated"

• it's not a superficial industrial product

• it's real

Complaining is easy.
Understanding what you have in your hands requires a minimum of knowledge.

A knot in a thick yarn:

• ❌ is not a defect

• ❌ is not a scam

• ❌ does not indicate poor quality

✔️ is normal
✔️ is technical
✔️ is manageable

Knitters don't look for fake perfection, but the truth of the material.

And the truth, sometimes, also has a knot.