Want to add variety and flair to your projects? Learn how to switch colors in crochet.
In this tutorial, we describe the process for a simple transition whether you’re starting at the beginning of a row or in the middle.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these steps for a nice, clean color transition every time.
1) With a loop still on your hook, cut the old color leaving a five- or six-inch tail.
2) Insert your hook underneath your last stitch.
3) Wind the thread over your hook and pull up a loop.
4) With the new color of yarn, make a loop and place it over your hook.
5) Holding on to the tails of both the new color and the old color, pull the new color through the loops of the previous color.
6) Take the long length of the new working yarn over your hook and pull through the loop of the new color. Tighten up the loops as necessary. That’s chain one.
7) Turn your work ¼ turn clockwise and you’re ready to single crochet going back the way you came.
8) Holding on to both of the tails, insert your hook into the last stitch of the old color (where my right thumb is pointing).
9) With both tails — the old color and the new color — over your hook, yarn over with the new color and pull through both loops.
10) Organize your work pulling tight any tails, and then single crochet into the next stitch making sure that both tails are over your hook.
11) Yarn over and pull the thread through both loops. Tighten up threads before moving on to the next step.
12) Continue to do single crochets with the tails of both colors over your hook until those tails are fully covered by the new yarn. In the image below, I’m pointing at the very end of the tail of the previous color yarn.
If you don’t want to weave them in as you go (as we’ve demonstrated here, you can always weave them in after. But we find the way we’ve demonstrated to be much easier.
13) With a pair of sharp scissors, trim off the excess tails.
14) Now you’re ready to continue single stitching down the row with the new color.
15) Following the same process, you can even change colors in the middle of a row. In the image below, I switched back to the previous color about halfway through the row of the new color.
What You Can Do With Changing Colors In Crochet?
Learning how to change colors in crochet means that you can create a wide variety of visual effects, including:
- Stripes
- Patterns
- Gradients
- Intarsia designs
- Color blocking
- Subtle highlights
Essentially, you’ll be able to add depth and complexity to your pieces.
Common Questions
Can I Change Colors In Round Pieces?
Absolutely! Finish the last stitch of the old color and immediately start the new color in the next stitch. It’s essentially the same as what we’ve described in this tutorial except the piece is round.
How Can I Avoid Bumps When I’m Crocheting Over The Old Tail?
Keep a bit of tension on the tails, but don’t pull too tight. If you pull too tight, it will cause the tail to pull against the loops resulting in a bump.
