How to Stop tangling

So I’m knitting a gorgeous illusion blanket with 2 balls of wool: 2 rows of each colour so lots of switching.
By the 3rd row I had to stop and untangle a bird’s nest(I am notoriously bad at keeping my wool untangled, thank god for my ever patient partner who is wonderful at sorting it all out). There must be an easy way of keeping the wool separate? Any tips?

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Hello
When I use 2 or more colours I am mindful of how I turn my work at the end of the row.
I think a lot of us naturally turn in the same direction at the end of every row, if you think about it this puts multiple twists between the knit fabric and the ball, though not often noticed with a single ball of yarn.
Instead, work a row, turn in one direction, work a row, turn the OTHER direction. Without moving your yarn balls they untwist with the second turn.
The way I remember this is:
If I work a RS row I turn my work clockwise, it’s the “right way” a clock turns.
If I work a WS row I turn my work anti-clockwise, it’s the “wrong way” for a clock to turn.
This method works really well even if you keep both balls on one side of you, however it’s even better if you keep one ball on your right and one on your left.

I’ve done this with multiple colours and I position them right front, right back, left front, left back, if there is a 5th it might go on my lap or in front on the floor - and I don’t move my yarn balls (just tug and unwind to get yarn but not actually change the position) and there are barely any tangles if I think how my work turns.
You can also stop the balls crossing by placing them in tubs or baskets or boxes, one in each, they roll around in the tub but don’t roll around with each other to tangle. I have done this with tubs on the floor either side of me.

When I put my work away I wind the balls up to the needles so there is no loose yarn and wrap the fabric around the balls to prevent rolling. If the fabric is not yet big enough to wrap the balls, i line up the balls in a drawer or box so they can’t roll. When it comes out again there might be one or two crosses of yarn as I set up but these are easy to uncross.

As a bit of a bonus, when the fabric is quite big, you don’t get twists in your fabric, it turns one way then turns back, no twisted up blanket or sweater on your lap pulling at your tension.

I hope this helps some.
What’s the name of the blanket your making?

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Hi
Thank you for all the suggestions. It’s an illusion (or shadow) blanket. I’ll post a link.

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I look forward to the link. I’ve been thinking of doing an illusion blanket. I live with tangled yarns because … well, because I’m like that … I forget to pay attention to how I’m turning and when it gets to bugging me I stop and detangle. Then continue with good intentions and eventually untangle again. LRR

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