How to Change Colors in Crochet
Learn how to change yarn colors in crochet seamlessly with this simple step-by-step crochet tutorial! The next time that you need to change yarn colors in a crochet pattern, it will be easy! Promise.
If you have ever wondered how to go about changing yarn colors in crochet, then you have come to the right place!
The method for changing colors is the same, regardless of what stitch you’re using; single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet or the triple crochet stitch! I am going to use the single crochet stitch below to demonstrate how to use this easy technique.
Follow the simple step by step color-changing tutorial below and will have you no trouble changing any color in crochet in the future. I promise learning how to go from one yarn color to the next in crochet is super easy.
Read down the best way to change colors while crocheting! Includes a crochet tutorial, YouTube video link and details about the yarn I used for this project.
How Do I Change Colors in Crochet?
I decided to write this tutorial because I realized when I am writing my patterns, I am always telling everyone to change colors during crochet patterns, but I’ve never shown you how!
I was originally afraid of adding stripes to my crochet projects because it seemed daunting and not too much fun to learn. However, once I learned how to do it correctly, it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined!
So, I decided put together this step-by-step picture tutorial on the best way to learn how to switch colors in crochet. It is straightforward, and you’ll be left wondering why you never tried this before!
In this tutorial, I will be using the following colors of Red Heart Soft yarn:
How to Change Colors in Crochet – Video Tutorial
If you are more of a visual learner, I recreated this tutorial on my YouTube channel as well. The written step-by-step tutorial is below.
Change Colors in the Middle of The Row Too!
Did you know that you can change colors in the middle of a row, too? Well, you can! It actually works the exact same way! Give it a shot when learning – it really is no different.
How to Change Colors When Crocheting
Skill Level: Basic
Materials
- Red Heart Soft Yarn
- 5.5 mm crochet hook
- scissors
Notes
- Written in standard US terms
The Tutorial
This tutorial uses single crochet stitch, but it will work the same way with any other of the basic stitches as well.
Step 1: When you are working a crochet project and are ready to change colors simply continue the last stitch, but before you yarn over for the last time stop using the current color you are working with and drop it. It was orange for me (see picture)
Step 2: Grab your new color (blue for me) you are changing to and lay it on top of your crochet hook. Leave the previous color alone! 🙂
Step 3: Pull the blue through the two orange loops, turn your project, chain 1 (since I am using single crochets) you would chain two if working with double crochets or 3 if working with triple crochets
Step 4: Continue working your pattern as stated.
Final Project: You have officially learned how to change colors in crochet! This is what the final project looks like with yet another row of a new color added.
Now you are ready to start the Easy Color Blocked Blanket with your new color changing skills!
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If you enjoyed learning how to change colors in crochet, consider sharing this post on Pinterest with one of the images below. You can always follow along with us on there as well – we always share tips, tricks, and exclusive crochet patterns.
Love this . I do the exact same way as you! It’s great!
I’ve been working on my sixth full by size ripple blanket!
Thank you, Sheryl,
Wow, six ripple blankets! That’s wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and happy crocheting!
-Krista
Can you add to the tutorial how to weave in the ends. That is the part that always confuses me. What do you do with all the loose ends? Thank you!
That is a great idea! I will add that to my to-do list.
Krista
Thank you for an excellent, fool-proof way to change colors! My only question is what do you do with the “tails”? Do you tie them off, cut them, weave them back into the garment?
Hi Terry!
I weave them in and then tie them off 🙂
I am so glad you like this tutorial!
Krista
Thanks for a very simple way to change colors. Easiest one that I’ve seen.
Thanks Chelane!Glad you liked it! 🙂
Hi!! I have a question that has been driving me nuts lol.
Is there another way to switch colours back and forth instead of using the end tie method and cutting and retying? I hope that makes sense.
Thanks,
Masyn
I can’t make an edging!! The corners curl.Do you have a tutorial on edging?
Can you change colors continuously without having to cut and start over?
Hi Robyn,
You could but you would need to carry the yarn with you throughout the entire project. So working over the yarn color you aren’t using throughout. Happy Crocheting!
When you pick up your old color does this not make a long yarn line on the back of your proiect. I am fairly new to crocheting and can’t figure what this would look like. Do you have a picture or video that would show what this should look like.
Hi Nancy,
I recently uploaded a video tutorial to this post so hopefully that helps. Happy Crocheting!
Krista
Can you explain how your weaving the ends in? Is it into the boarder or into your single crochets?
Hi Jessica,
I recently uploaded a video to this post that may help you out. Happy Crocheting! 🙂
Do you cut the old color when you start the new color? How do you continue a previous color used 3 rows ago (like orange you started with) just connect as you directed?
Hi Sandy,
I just finished a YouTube tutorial on this that may clarify. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abaPDuclxdw
Please explain how to tie the ends after they are worked in…Dumb E Me
Hi Nadine,
I recently did a YouTube Video on this that may be helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abaPDuclxdw&t
Does this work for working in the round as well?
Hi Cyndi,
It does! 🙂
Does this work for working in the round as well?
Yes! 🙂
How do you make your rows so clean? By that I mean how the rows themselves have none of the other color in them. I don’t mean at the end of the row where you change colors? I read a trick somewhere, what is it?
HI Pat,
I recently uploaded a YouTube tutorial on this over at my channel. Hope it helps! 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abaPDuclxdw&t
What do you do to change colors in a middle of a row and need to pick it up in the next row or further down the same row? I’m making a pattern of a hand in my project.
HI Joan,
Before you finish a stitch just add in the new color (drop the old color) and finish the stitch with the new color. Hope this helps! 🙂
Krista
Hi Joan,
You will need to drop the old color right before you are about to finish a stitch, then pick up the new color to finish the stitch. Hope I explained that right 🙂
Krista
Hello! Thanks for the tutorial. I’m making a striped DC blanket, but the pattern says to chain 3 after you switch colors. Yours says to chain 2 with a double crochet. Just wondering what I should do? Thanks! -fellow Krista 😉
Hi Krista!
I like to chain 2 after DCing but some designers like to chain 3. I would just follow the pattern if it was me. 🙂 Have a great day!
– Krista 🙂
How do you change colors when crocheting in a row?
I recently uploaded a YouTube Tutorial on this that may help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abaPDuclxdw&t
I’m not sure how you tie your knots after you weave them in.
Hi Susie,
I’ve updated the post with a video tutorial which explains this. Hope this helps!
that is the part I am not sure how to do. I weave my ends in but not sure how to tie them in afterwards.
Hi Dorothy,
I just use a yarn needle to weave in the ends. 🙂
Krista
Hi Krista. When you go back and weave in the loose ends of the yarn, do you ever notice them coming loose eventually? Or do you tie the ends in a knot and then weave them in?
Hi Gena,
I like to tie the ends after I weave them in to make sure they are really secure! 🙂
Hope this helps!
Krista
What do you do to end the first color?
I’m new to crocheting and the changing colors idea is interesting, but how do you get back to the original color?
What do you do with all the strings of yarn.
Hi Sue,
You would weave in the ends throughout your project with a yarn needle when you are done. 🙂
Krista
I found this very helpful but was wondering if you could show how to pick up one of the colors that you already used to do another row?
Very helpful I tried different ways but yours seems easier.