Once you’ve learned the basic crochet stitches learning to change colours is the next step. It is a great way to add visual effects and dimension to your projects. Like knitting, crochet too has multiple colourwork methods that work in making designs, alphabets and other effects. But, before you take up any pattern, explore the ways to do it. You can introduce a new shade of yarn anytime in the project in any crochet stitch as many times as you want. The best method for you depends on the project you’re working on. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the simple techniques to change colours in crochet.
Basic Steps for Changing Yarn
The basic method for changing colours works whether you’re working the double crochet, half treble crochet, treble crochet, or half treble crochet stitch. In fact, it is similar to the method of introducing a new yarn in the pattern. You start the project with a chain of stitches or even foundation crochet stitches and then work the stitch. If you are new or want a refresher, refer to our guide on how to make a crochet chain.
Step 1: Stop crocheting right before you pull through the last loops on the crochet hook.
Step 2: Drop the old yarn and put the new colour on the hook.
Step 3: Pull the new yarn through the last two loops on the hook.
Changing Colours in Double Crochet (DC) Stitch - Continue with the steps of making the crochet stitch and put the new yarn when you have two loops on the crochet hook and pull the new colour through the loops on the hook.
Changing Colours in Half Treble (HTR) Crochet Stitch - Make the stitch as you regularly do. You’ll have three loops on the crochet hook when you put the new shade. Pull the new colour through all three loops.
Changing Colours in Treble Crochet (TR) Stitch - Follow the steps of making the treble crochet stitch till you get to the last two loops on the hook. Put the new yarn on the crochet hook and then pull through the loops one time.
Similarly, you can work on the taller stitches.
Note: The stitches are mentioned in UK crochet terms. This is different from US crochet terms. So, make sure you read the pattern carefully.
Whenever you introduce a new colour, lay the new strand of yarn over the hook and hold the yarn tail to the back of the work. The trick is to neatly carry the old shade or then weave it in the fabric solving the problem to carry yarn in case of reversible patterns.
What to do with the yarn tails?
You can snip the yarn tail which will leave you with many ends to weave in. You can refer to our tricks for weaving in ends. You can weave the ends while working on the project or get them done later after your project is finished and blocked. Blocking your project with the right blocking tools makes the yarn shine. When weaving in ends, give the yarn a little tug to tighten up the stitches and then thread your wool needle and go through the stitches to bury them in the fabric.
How to Change Colours in the Middle of the Row
Once you’ve learned the basic steps for changing yarn colours, you can follow the same steps to change in the middle of the row. Stop crocheting before the last loop is pulled through and put the new shade on the hook, and pull through the last two loops on the hook.
How to Change Colours at the End of a Row
Changing colours at the end of the row of crochet is simple and just requires following the same steps. Crochet all the way to the end of your row. When you have the last two loops on the last stitch of the row, put the new colour on the hook and pull through the loops.
After that, chain one or however many stitches you need for your turning chain.
Now you are ready to start crocheting the new row in the new colour.
How to Change Colours in the Round
Changing colours in the round is very similar to the way you change the yarn for crocheting in rows. If you’ve seen a granny square then you would see the multiple colour changes. Refer to our blog on how to crochet a classic granny square in easy steps. There are other ways to do this, but in most cases, you’ll use the same primary technique.
Changing Colours in the Middle of a Round
When you are crocheting a circle and want to change colours in the middle of a round. In that case, you can work the stitch until only two loops are left on the hook, then drop the yarn you were using. Put the new colour on the hook, and finish the stitch by pulling the yarn through both loops on the hook. Another way is to complete the stitch and introduce the new colour with a slip stitch.
Changing Colours at the end of Continuous Rounds
When you crochet in continuous rounds you cannot work the new colour with a slip stitch (SS). Instead, you simply place the new round's first stitch in the previous round's first stitch. Your project will grow as you keep crocheting.
To change colours at the end of a spiral round, work until there are only two loops left on the hook. Drop the first colour, and pick up the new colour. Finish the stitch by pulling the new colour through both loops on the hook. The next step is to crochet the first stitch of the next round in the new yarn colour.
Another way is to complete the stitch and introduce the new colour with a standing crochet stitch. A standing stitch is made in the air. You simply work the new yarn with a slip knot on the hook and then make the stitch. This allows you to neatly make stitches in new colours.
Changing Colours at the end of Joined Rounds
Crocheting joined rounds means working with a slip stitch. So when you want to change colour here, you must do it right before joining the round with a slip stitch.
Crochet to the end of the round. Finish crocheting the last stitch with the old colour. Insert your hook into the first stitch of the round. Now, yarn over with the new yarn colour, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on the hook to finish the slip stitch.
This simple technique accomplishes three things at a time. It finishes the slip stitch, joins the round, and changes the yarn colour simultaneously.
To continue with the round, make chain stitches according to the crochet stitch and start the next round in the new colour.
Tips for Changing Colours in Crochet
To help make changing colours a little easier:
When you pick up the new colour, make sure you leave a long yarn tail. This will give enough length to weave in at the end of your project.
Likewise, when you cut the previous yarn colour, leave a long enough yarn tail to weave in at the end of your project.
If you’ll be changing colours often, for example, if you’re making 2-row stripes carry the unused yarn along the side of your work. This will drastically reduce the number of ends you have to weave in later.
After all, we're constantly looking for new challenges, aren't we? With KnitPro range of crochet hooks under your belt, you can work on any project and patterns with all types of yarns. Over time, they become cherished instruments for realizing awe-inspiring projects. For the practice of changing colours in crocheting start with a simple project. Refer to our guide on how to crochet a multi-coloured scarf.
Happy crocheting!