Changing yarn colors is simple and it is something every crocheter needs to know. Whether you're adding different colors to your project or you've finished up a roll of yarn, at some point you will need to transition to a different roll.
While it may seem like tying two yarns together at a certain point would work well enough, there is a simpler process that takes less time and makes your work look more professional. Tying knots can add visible lumps and can cause your work to stretch or flex unevenly. Choose one of the following methods that works for you and follow the steps to become a color-change pro!
For the video tutorial on yarn changeovers, click here.
Mid-stitch yarn change-over
The first method I'll demonstrate is a yarn change-over that is performed in the middle of a stitch. With this method, you must identify which stitch is to be your last for yarn "A" and only complete a portion of it before completing the stitch with yarn "B".
Using a single crochet stitch as an example:
1. Insert hook, yarn over, and pull up loop
2. Before finishing stitch, grab your new yarn with your hook.
3. Pull new yarn through 2 loops remaining on hook to complete stitch.
4. Begin crocheting with new yarn.
As for the yarn tail left over from yarn A and the yarn tail introduced by adding yarn B, you have a couple options. You can tuck yarn tails under your stitches and "work" them in to hide them. Or, you can leave the tails poking out for now and sew them in later. However, I must caution you that "working" the yarn tails into your new stitches adds to the height. Because you're not just crocheting around the top loops of the stitches from the previous row, you're adding more yarn which makes things bigger. If your goal is uniformity in your work, this may not be the best option for you. Using a Darning needle to weave them in allows you to maintain uniformity and it gives you a choice for where you want to hide those yarn tails later on. I usually sew tails into the backs of my stitches, behind like colors so you don't see color contrasts beneath the stitches.
To perform this color change method with taller stitches, follow the same steps. Just perform the color change step before you yarn over and pull through those last 2 loops on your hook!
Post-Stitch yarn change-over
With this method, the last stitch you make with yarn A is completed entirely. Yarn B is introduced in a separate step that follows the last stitch.
Using a single crochet as an example:
1. Complete your last stitch and remove hook from the loop.
2. Insert hook into the FLO of the last stitch and the left loop of the face of the stitch.
3. Grab new yarn with your hook.
4. Pull new yarn through 2 loops on hook.
5. Crochet a few stitches with new yarn like normal.
6. The loop remaining from yarn A: pull it free.
7. Cut yarn tail from yarn A and either leave it for now or work it into your stitches.
Like the Mid-Stitch method, same goes for the yarn tails. Working them into your stitches adds to your stitch height. Weaving them in later adds a little time to your project, but it produces better-looking work. Just remember, don't tie any knots!
To perform this color change method with taller stitches, follow the same steps. Complete your last stitch with yarn A, then insert hook into FLO and top left loop of the face of the stitch before pulling in yarn B.
End of Row color change
If you need to change yarn at the end of a row or round that involves chaining, follow these steps.
Again, using a single crochet stitch as an example:
1. For the last stitch in the row/round, insert hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop, but do not finish stitch with yarn A.
2. Grab end of yarn B with your hook.
3. With yarn B, complete the last stitch by pulling yarn B through the last 2 loops on your hook.
4. Leave a 3-4 inch tail of yarn B to remain here.
5. Make a chain with yarn B.
6. Turn your work and crochet a few stitches with yarn B.
7. Cut yarn A leaving 3-4 inches to sew in later.
You can weave the two yarn tails into your work later with a Darning needle. Do not tie any knots! Knots prevent your work from flexing naturally, producing unsightly bunching.
Continuous Color changing
If you need to change yarn colors a lot throughout your project, you can use any combination of these methods, but the main cause for concern would be those leftover yarn tails. They can add up quickly and sewing them into your work may turn your project into one that is tedious and time consuming. It's a trade-off - you save time by working yarn tails into your stitches but you may have to settle for less uniformity in your work.
If you need to change colors a lot, working yarn tails into your work as you crochet will add to your stitch height, but it's possible that variations in stitch height would become negligible if you're changing color so much. Additionally, if you're crocheting a 3D object, you can easily hide yarn tails inside your work with the stuffing, and you won't need to worry so much about sewing or working them in.
If you're a perfectionist like me and you want consistent and uniform stitches, plan on spending some time sewing in your yarn tails after you finish crocheting your project.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions. Check out my other posts for more information and my YouTube channel for helpful video tutorials!
Happy crafting!
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