How To Carry Yarn Step By Step Crochet Tutorial
Learning how to change colors in your crochet projects comes with a few questions about how to deal with multiple strands of yarn. While there are different ways to handle adding a new color, in this tutorial I show you how to carry your yarn.
You can carry the old color up the side of your work and across the row of stitches. When you are changing colors frequently, as in every few stitches carrying your yarn is a great way to handle it. To minimize ends you can carry it up the side when you get to the end of the row.
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This crochet square design features color changes throughout the row, so I carry the yarn which is the easiest way to deal with multiple strands and common in tapestry crochet. It will also get a border so carrying it up the side means those strands will get hidden.
If colorwork patterns are new to you and you need help learning how to change colors, check out this tutorial on how to seamlessly changes colors. Plus check out this post with tips on changing colors in your c2c project.
Materials
At least 2 yarn colors.
A crochet hook to match your yarn weight.
I’m using a #4 medium worsted weight yarn and a 5 mm hook (US Size H-8).
Stitches/Abbreviations
(US Terms)
ch(s) – chain(s)
bo – bobble stitch
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
rep – repeat
sc – single crochet
sk-skip the indicated stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over
Abbreviations For Color Changes
In written crochet patterns that use different colors each one is often assigned a letter or number.
For instance the pattern might read “Color A – Blue” and “Color B – Red.”
Another way it’s written is “Color 1 – Green” and “Color 2 – Purple.”
Some patterns with use the abbreviation “mc” or “mc yarn” for main color yarn. This is usually for designs that a lot of one color.
Video Tutorial
Watch the video on my YouTube Channel here.
Tutorial Instructions
How to Carry Yarn For Crochet Color Changes
Learn how to simply carry the two yarns for crochet color changes.
Materials
- Any weight yarn, I'm using a #4 medium worsted weight yarn here. I have two different colors of yarn: blue and beige.
Tools
- Crochet hook to match your yarn, I'm using my 5mm Streamline Swirl Cafe.
Instructions
- You'll need a row of stitches to work with. Here I'm using the Brindisi Bobble Square pattern if you'd like to try it check it out here.
- Work to one stitch before the color change.
- Start your stitch normally, but stop before the final yarn over.
- Drop the first color to the back of your work.
- Pick up the second color, yarn over and pull through to finish your current stitch.
- Here's how it looks in single crochet stitches:
- Here's how it looks in half double crochet:
- And how it looks in double crochet:
- To carry the yarn grab the first color you put at the back fo the work and place the strand across the top of the stitches you will work into next.
- Insert hook into the next stitch as you normally would, but also work over that strand of yarn, trapping it to the top of the stitches with each new stitch you make.
- This allows you to pick up the carried yarn again when you need to change to the first color again.
- When you want to change from the your current color to a new yarn color at the beginning or end of a row you change on the last stitch, and turn.
- Here you can carry the yarn up the side of the row if you will need to change color again in the middle of a row. Now you will have the color ready for the first stitch on the next row. You can trap the yarn with your turning chain and pull it along the top of the stitches.
- Carrying yarn up the edge of the piece can be hidden if you are adding a border. Otherwise these strands will be visible
- If you are done working with a color then you can cut the yarn, making sure to leave a long tail. Weave in those yarn tails at the end.
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