Comments on: How to Change Colors in Crochet

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:04:52 +0000

I’ve crocheted for years, just simple stuff, I must not have learned the correct way to change colors because I always looped the hook with the new color, as if I was starting a project, well, that caused problems, so I never tried to change colors often. Thank you so much, your website is great, even for people who have crocheted for a long time.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:49:23 +0000

Hi Debbie, most of the time when you’re crocheting in the round like a spiral the color changes won’t be seamless. It’s natural for this to happen. Other patterns, when you’re crocheting in the round and making the turning chain will have a more seamless color change. The different methods of crocheting use the same technique to change colors, but the method you crochet is what mostly determines if the color change will be seamless or not. If you are crocheting in the round like a spiral, but want a smoother color change, you can try any slip stitch into the last stitch with the old color, and then change to the new color. Then change in stitch height helps to even out the color change.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:56:38 +0000

Hi, Rachel. I recently did some projects that start out a crocheting in a round. When I change colors, it’s not a seamless transition between colors. Is there a different technique for changing colors when working in the round? Forgive me if this is mentioned elsewhere here… I didn’t happen to see anything that addresses this issue. Thanks so much… I really enjoy your website.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:18:44 +0000

Hi Jennifer, I'm glad you found the culprit! I'm not a Fair Isle pro, but Linda Cee wrote a couple guest posts on Crochet Spot about tapestry crochet (same things as Fair Isle, just different name). Here are the links: Tapestry Crochet (some general information) Crochet Pattern: Tapestry Crochet Hot Pad (a pattern that demonstrates how the yarn is being worked and carried throughout a tapestry crochet pattern - may have to read through the whole pattern to understand the technique)

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:25:12 +0000

Okay, Rachel. I found the culprit. In very small print (ie, I didn’t read everything), it says to do the color changing in “Fair Isle Method”. What is that?! Do you have a tutorial for that? Are you even familiar with it? I had no idea there were different “methods” of crocheting. I was just following the pattern as it was written and didn’t see in the explanation at the beginning to do the color changes a different way. Seems I got in over my head a bit. I went ahead and finished my hat with just regular stitches and it looks okay, but I’m ready to make another one because this one is too small. Any help will be appreciated!!!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:38:38 +0000

That’s a good idea to look on Ravelry. I hope you are able to figure it out. Good luck with it!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:48:19 +0000

Yes, Rachel, I have learned so much on your site and the changing colors lesson was perfect (for other projects). In this particular pattern though, the 1 stitch doesn’t seem to hold up to making a diagonal stripe like it appears to in the photo. I just realized I could look at others’ attempts at the same project on ravelry, and I think I am just going to have to make what I have done be enough. It’s just been a learning curve for me, this pattern, and until I finish it, I will still be a little frustrated. It will look how it looks and I will be happy with that.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:07:22 +0000

Hi Jennifer, are you changing colors like in this tutorial? Take a look at the “changing colors in crochet stitches” section, if you haven’t already. Also, in the pattern you are working on double check it to make sure there aren’t specific instructions as to how they want you to change colors. Some patterns may use a non conventional way to change colors to get the desired look.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:49:25 +0000

I have a hat pattern from the Caron site and it has small diagonal stripes. The chart to stitch it is 3 stitches wide by 4 rows high. The “stripe” is surrounded on all sides by the main color and is only 1 stitch wide. For example mc is x, cc is o. The pattern is oox
xoo
oxo
oox
and repeats around the hat, with a slip stitch to complete the row, then ch1 and continue the pattern.
The photograph shows the stripe as rather thick, but I can’t get my stripe to line up, let alone be thick! Can you help me?!?! I can even show you the pattern page if you like, but I’m not sure what your rules are here for your site. Thanks in advance!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:56:38 +0000

Any ideas how to change carry a second color through a Fsc? I’m having the toughest time. Thanks, Michelle