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Very few crochet projects are monochrome. Therefore it is essential to learn how to crochet a color change.
However, since there are many different stitches and working methods (in joined rounds, spiral rounds or rows) when crocheting, the question naturally arises as to how the color change is carried out correctly in the respective situation.
Rule of thumb when changing color: Always yarn over the new color when you have the last loops on the crochet hook through which the last thread is pulled to finish the current stitch. Instead of the old color, the new color is pulled through these loops.
That means with a color change you finish the respective stitch and change the color in one step. Only the following stitches will have the new color though.
The following color changes are explained and shown below:
- Color change for single crochet stitches (no matter whether in joined rounds, spiral rounds or rows)
- Color change of half double-, double-, treble- or double treble crochet stitches and all other even taller stitches
- Color change at the end of a row when crocheting in rows
- Color change at the end of a joined round
Color Change
Needed Techniques
Needed Materials and Tools
To order the materials click on the respective link (affiliate link).
- Colors: green, violet
- This pattern was crocheted using the “Schachenmayr Catania” yarn (100% Cotton, Meterage: 125 m, Yarn Ball Weight: 50 g, Yarn Weight: Sport – 5ply / Fine (2)) in the following colors:
- Emerald (Smaragd (430)), Phlox (Phlox (282))
- 2.5 mm Crochet Hook
- Stitch Marker
Color Change for Single Crochet Stitches
The following example shows you how to do a normal color change when crocheting single crochet stitches. The color change is always carried out shortly before you finish the respective stitch.
- You start crocheting the last single crochet stitch before the color change. Push the crochet hook through the next stitch, yarn over and pull it through the stitch, just as if you were crocheting a single crochet stitch.
- Always make the color change when you have the last loops on the crochet hook before you finish the respective stitch.
- Now yarn over the new color and pull it through the last two loops on the crochet hook.
- With this you finish the single crochet stitch and have successfully made a color change.
- Then continue crocheting with the new color as normal.
Color Change for Half Double-, Double-, Treble Crochet Stitches and even taller Stitches
In this case the color change is carried out in the same way as for single crochet stitches. Yarn over the new color and pull it through the last loops on the crochet hook, which would finish the stitch.
It does not matter how many loops are on the crochet hook at the end. If the next time you pull the yarn through all loops on the crochet hook would finish the stitch, yarn over the new color and pull it through all loops instead.
- In the following example, the color change is done while crocheting a double crochet stitch.
- You want to crochet 1 more double crochet stitch and then change the color. Crochet the double crochet stitch as usual until you have only the last 2 loops on the crochet hook. The next thread that is pulled through the loops would finish the double crochet stitch. So yarn over the new color and pull the new yarn through both loops.
- With this you finish the double crochet stitch and have successfully made a color change.
- Then continue crocheting with the new color as normal.
Color Change at the End of the Row
Color changes at the end of the row are done in the same way as before with single crochet stitches and and tall stitches like half double- and double crochet stitches. If you want to change the color towards the next row, perform a color change in the last stitch in the row.
- It does not matter if you crochet with single crochet stitches or taller crochet stitches. You start crocheting the last stitch and pull the new color through the last loops on the crochet hook which would finish the stitch.
- Then crochet with the new color as usual the turning chain/s and continue crocheting the new row with the new color.
Color Change at the End of a Joined Round
Just like in the examples before, it is the same when you finish a joined round and want to crochet the new joined round with a different color.
Joined rounds are completed with slip stitches. That means you have to change the color just before the slip stitch is finished.
The following color change does not only apply to joined rounds, but to slip stitches in general.
- You want to finish the joined round and for this you push the crochet hook through the stitch in which you have to crochet the slip stitch to finish the round.
- The thread that you would pull now through the just pushed through stitch and the loop on the crochet hook would finish the slip stitch. Therefore, you yarn over the new color and pull through the stitch and the loop on the crochet hook.
- Finished is the slip stitch, the joined round is closed and you can continue crocheting with the new color.
- Then continue crocheting with the new color as normal.
