How to Seamlessly Change Colors in Crochet Tutorial
Learn how to change colors seamlessly in your crochet projects. This tutorial demonstrates the invisible color change as you work in two colors and across different stitches.
There are different ways you can change colors in crochet. The seamless color change is an essential for tapestry crochet. It’s the perfect for when you need a yarn change in the middle of a row.
In the tutorial, I show you how to use seamless color changes for the bobble stitch and the basic crochet stitches. You can change colors seamlessly between stitches in a row and at the end of a row.
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You can find the free pattern for this bobble square here, the Brindisi Bobble square. This crochet square design is a part of the Friendship Blanket CAL. The Briones Sweater is one of my favorite sweater patterns that features bobbles.
The Basic Color Change
A simple and common way to change colors is to finish your stitch in your current color. Then attach the new color to your hook with a slip knot, and join it to the next stitch with a slip stitch.
This works for many color changes, but it isn’t seamless. The technique I demonstrate here I find to be the best way for a perfect color change.
Check out this post with tips on changing colors in your c2c project.
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Of course the easiest way to do color changes is to let self striping yarn do the changing for you!
The California Crochet Wrap and the California Knit Wrap feature Shawl in a Ball Yarn.
I’ve only made one complete Tunisian crochet pattern, but this video tutorial from KnitterKnotter reminds me I want to have a go at it again!
Crochet Patterns With Color Changes
The Tuscan Charm Cowl is a chunky weight cowl pattern with color work and texture. The matching hat, the Tuscan Charm Beanie that includes the same texture and stripes.
In this swatch I use a foundation single crochet which makes a nice edge for the start of your pattern.
Notes
- In this tutorial I change colors for the single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and the bobble stitch.
- I cover how to change yarn in the middle of a row and at the end of a row.
- You can apply this technique to any stitch.
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
In written crochet patterns that use many colors each color 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.
Scroll down for the tutorial on how to seamlessly change colors in crochet!
How to Change Colors Seamlessly in Crochet
Learn how to change colors throughout a crochet row. I use the invisible color change to crochet bobbles and double crochets.
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
- On the stitch before your color change, start the stitch as normal, but stop before the last yarn over. Pick up the new color and finish the stitch. After you change colors, give both yarns a little tug to tighten the stitch, but not too tightly. I demonstrate below.
- To use this seamless color change on single crochet stitches, begin with the current yarn color. Insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You'll have two loops on your hook. Drop the old color and pick up the new color, yarn over and pull through both loops to finish the single crochet.
- To seamlessly change colors in the middle of a row for a single crochet, the process is the same. Start the stitch in the current yarn color, stop before the last yarn over and pull through the new color to finish the stitch.
- To change colors seamlessly with a half double crochet stitch, begin with the current yarn color. Yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You'll have three loops on your hook. Drop the old color and pick up the new color, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to finish the half double crochet.
- The process is the same on the last half double crochet stitch at the end of the row too. Begin the half double crochet in the current color, but stop before the last yarn over of the stitch. Pick up the new yarn color and pull through to finish the half double crochet. Now you are ready in the next color for your first stitch on the new row.
- To change colors seamlessly in double crochet stitch, begin with the current yarn color. Yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You'll have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You'll have 2 loops on your hook. Drop the old color and pick up the new color, yarn over and pull through the 2 loops to finish the double crochet.
- The color change works in the middle of the row for double crochet too. Begin the double crochet normally, then stop before the final yarn over and pick up the new yarn color, pull it through the last two loops on your hook to finish.
- The seamless color change works for special stitches, like the bobble stitch too.
I work a bobble stitch until I have 6 loops on my hook and stop. - Drop the first color (blue), and pick up the second color. Here I pick up the beige yarn.
- Yarn over in the new color (beige) and pull through to finish the stitch.
- Since I will chang colors in the same row, I will carry the old color yarn. This means I will work the stitches over the previous color that I'm not using, so I can pick it up again to change colors when I need it.
- Now use the new yarn color to work your next stitch, and again stop before the very last yarn over to change colors again. Here I work 3 double crochets in beige, then stop before the last yarn over, pick up the blue and pull thorugh to finish the stitch in the new color.
- You can do seamless color changes to create an invisible join for any stitch and in any place on the row.
Notes
Tip-I will carry my yarn when I am changing colors through a row. However, when I change colors only from one row to the next row I find it's easier to cut the yarn and work over the loose ends before weaving them in.
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