How to Change Colors in Crochet
If you are new to crochet, here are some tips on how to change colors in your crochet work. The basic idea is to simply let go of the yarn you are currently using and pick up the new yarn that you want to use. Sounds easy enough, right? Let’s explore some examples!
This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.
Changing Colors In a Chain
Suppose you want to change the color in the middle of a chain. Just let go of the color your are using and pick up the new yarn and hold it against your work and start chaining with it.
Changing Colors in Crochet Stitches
Sometimes you may want to change colors after a certain crochet stitch. You change colors the same way, but you do it during the last step of a stitch. Here is an example using single crochet.
Insert your hook into the next stitch (as you normally would)
Yarn over (as you normally would)
Pull the yarn through one loop on your hook (as you normally would)
Now let go of the yarn and hold the new strand of yarn against your work.
Yarn over with the new color of yarn.
Pull the yarn though both loops on your hook.
You can now use the new strand of yarn to continue your work.
To change colors during different crochet stitches, the rule of thumb is to change the color during the last yarn over in the stitch.
Carrying Yarn
Sometimes you will find it useful to “carry” your yarn in your work. This is helpful if you plan to switch your color back to the previous color later. To carry your yarn in your work you change colors using the same method as above. After you change colors, hold the old strand of yarn against the loops of your work.
Now continue crocheting as you normally would with your new color. The old color will be carried in the work since it is being held against the loops you are crocheting in. When you are ready to change colors again the old color will be right there for you to use.
If you need help changing colors in crochet, just leave a comment and I would be glad to help!
You read my mind with the color changing info! I am currently learning how to add pictures to my bags and stuff i crochet. Right now i am working on a bag with a skull and crossbones on the front. Its just sc, so should be easy enough. Thanks again, your pics and info really helped!
I know I’ve been coming here for awhile now but it never fails to amaze me that you show this for both rights and lefts. You’re amazing! I’ll be linking.
Thank you so much for this info! I am currently making a hat for my son and was wondering how to do this without tying the colors together.
Great pictures, very easy to understand tutorial! =)
Thank you, Rachel.
Are we to crochet over the dropped yarn? I always feel like it will unravel, so I sometimes tie the two yarns. Yes, I know it’s a big no no, but as I said, I just feel insecure about dropping and picking up yarn without a slip knot or pulling (dropped yarn) through.
Hey Paulette!
Sometimes it’s good to crochet over the dropped yarn, as some like to call it “carrying” the yarn in the work. If you choose not to, you can always weave the end of the yarn into the back of your work when you are done or you can tie the two pieces together. Do what seems right for you. I don’t think there is any wrong or right way of doing it.
Thanks for your quick reply, Rachel.
I will play around with my practice yarn.
Miss Rachel I Love all your Crochet Stich . THANKS!!!!!!!!! Ramona.
oh that makes sense to me now. I have a crochet book but your instructins are so much better.
Thanks
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Thanks for this. I looked right over it the first time!
Happy Stitching!
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I am trying to crochet a horizontally striped scarf and I was wondering how would you do that?? Like would I switch colors at the end of the chain and cut the yarn and repeat the process? Sorry… I am REALLY new at crocheting.. ^_^’ ehehehehe…… Oh and.. THE YARN YOUR USING ARE LIKE THE EXACT SAME COLORS AS WHAT I’M USING FOR MY SCARF!! haha
You should switch colors in the last stitch of your row. You can either cut your yarn or carry it in your work, your choice.
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I’m still a bit confused about carrying yarn as you change colors. I am trying to crochet the piano key scarf and every time I attempt to crochet the black into the white and carry the white with me, the keys end up looking black and white instead of just black. Am I doing this wrong or what? Is this a tip that is used only in special cases, and is so, what would those cases be? And if I do not carry the white yarn with me as I crochet the keys, do you have another way to switch back and forth between white and black? Do I need to just cut the yarn and reincorporate the colors back into the scarf? I am really wanting to figure this out and any help would be great.
Hi Sarah, the piano key scarf pattern will tell you when to carry each color and when to not carry it. This will prevent your blank keys from looking write. Please read the pattern carefully.