How to Change Yarn Colors in Crochet

As easy it is to make crochet projects all in the same color, the ones with different colors are so much fun. And with having different colors in your crochet piece comes the dilemma of how to change colors in crochet.

There are several scenarios you might have when changing the colors of yarn in your project. There are different ways to add the second color, I will show you the ones that I personally use.

Changing yarn color at the end of the row

This is the case when the yarn change can be the most seamless since you will end one row in one color and start it with another color.

To change yarn colors in the end of a row, complete the row in Color 1, all the way till the end, and partially complete the last stitch in that row until you have only 2 loops left on the hook.

To switch colors, with two loops of first color (#1) left on the crochet hook, yarn over the yarn Color #2 over the hook and pull through, completing the stitch (and the row) using the new color.

Pull up the ends of both strands of yarn to make the stitch tighter, and continue the turning chain in the Color #2.

Cut the yarn Color #1, leaving 4 to 6 in end. Continue working the new row in the Color #2.

You can decide to hide both Color #1 and Color #2 ends in your work as you are crocheting the new row. To do that, hold both and along the new row and crochet over and around the loose ends until they are completely hidden inside the new row.

Changing yarn color in the middle of the row

At times, the pattern (or life) calls for the yarn to be added in the middle of a row. This type of colour change is often found in tapestry crochet.

To make the change over as seamless as possible, do the following.

With yarn Color #1, start the last stitch in the old color (in this example, a Double Crochet stitch).

Partially complete it, leaving 2 loops on the hook.

With the new yarn in Color #2, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook, completing that next stitch.

Pull and tighten up the ends of both yarn colors. Cut the yarn of the previous color (#1), leaving 4 to 6 in end.

Continue working the row in the Color #2.

You can decide to hide both Color #1 and Color #2 ends in your work as you are crocheting the rest of the row. The best way to do that is to hold both and along the rest of the row and crochet over and around the yarn ends until they are completely hidden inside.

With this method you get invisible color change where one color ends and another one begins with a very clean break.

To see the color change in actions, see the video tutorial below:

Changing the yarn color when crocheting in the round

To make the yarn color change seamless when crocheting in the round, do it at the place where you finish the row and are about to slip stitch (SL ST) the first and last stitch of that row together. Here is a simple technique to how you make this invisible join.

With the loop (in the yarn Color A) of the end of the round on the hook, insert hook into the first stitch of that same row, yarn over with the yarn Color B, and pull through both loops (slip stitch).

Your round now is complete (in the same color) and the loop that is on the crochet hook and that is meant for the next row is in the new Color B.

As in previous cases, give a little tug to the ends of both yarns to tighten up the stitch and continue working the new row in the yarn with current Color B while simultaneously hiding the ends of both yarns.

This type of color change works with many patters that work in continuous rounds like placemats, doilies, crochet hats, cozies and more.

To see the color change in the round in action, see the helpful video below:

Being able to introduce different colors to your crochet creation makes it exciting and visually interesting. By being able seamlessly to change colors in crochet you can approach having multiple colors in your pieces without any worries and enjoy mixing things up.

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