Best Way to Change Colors in Crochet

So you’ve gotten a few crochet projects under your belt – most likely projects worked all in one color. Now, you’re scrolling the internet for your next project, and you come across all of these beautiful projects – blankets, scarves, even dishcloths – that use more than one color! Are you wondering how this is even possible?!

This blog post will answer allll of your questions and set you up for confident success in changing colors in your crochet projects. Here’s what we’ll cover:

How to change colors at the end of a row in crochet

How to make stripes in crochet

How to change colors mid row in crochet

Ready to elevate your crochet game with this simple new skill?

Let’s Begin

MATERIALS

For practicing this skill, you may use any yarn that you have and its coordinating hook size. In the photos, I am using WeCrochet Swish Worsted and a 5.0mm hook.

BEGIN THE SKILL

I will be displaying the color changing techniques using the single crochet stitch, though I will give you the information needed to successfully change colors with any crochet stitch.

If you would like to follow along with exactly what I am doing, you may start a single crochet swatch: ch any number, then work at least two rows of all single crochet to set up your swatch.

How to change colors at the end of a row in crochet:

Step 1: Work across your current row, but do not work the last stitch,

Step 2: Insert your hook into the last stitch.

Step 3: Yarn over and pull through the stitch, then pause here.

Step 4: Drop the strand of your previous color. Grab your new color and drape the end over your hook, leaving enough length to weave in later.

Step 5: Use your new color to pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook. Cut off your old color, leaving enough length to weave in later.

Step 6: With your new color, ch 1 and turn. Continue working the next row as normal with your new color. When you are done with your project, weave in all of your ends.

How to make stripes in crochet:

You can easily make stripes in crochet by following the instructions above to change colors at the end of a row.

Select your stitch of choice and start your project in Color A. Decide how many rows you would like to work for each color. Once you have worked your desired rows for Color A, use the above instructions to change colors on the LAST stitch of the LAST row of Color A. Change to Color B and continue on to the next row for your desired number of rows.

Continue in this fashion, working as many color changes and stripes as you would like for the duration of your project.

How to change colors mid row in crochet:

We will be using the same instructions for changing colors as described in the steps and photos above, with the exception that this will occur in the middle of a row, rather than at the end,

Step 1: Work your crochet stitches UP UNTIL you have one more stitch left to work in your current color (color A). Still working with color A, insert into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull through the stitch. Grab your new strand of yarn (color B) and drape it over your hook. Use color B to pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook.

Step 2: Hold the new tail of Color B across your work to crochet over as you continue your work with color B. This will help secure this tail so that it doesn’t loosen over time. Once you’ve worked a couple stitches, cut off Color A, leaving enough of a tail to weave in later. Continue your work as normal with Color B.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!

Hooray! You’ve learned a new crochet skill! If you need some extra guidance getting down crochet color changes, you can check out the full video tutorial below!

I hope this answered all of your questions concerning color changes in crochet. If you have any other questions, leave a comment below – I’d love to help!

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