How to Change Yarn Colors in Crochet

I am currently working on a project that involves a couple different techniques that I will be sharing separately. First of those is changing your yarn color. 

This technique works in the middle of your row or round as well as at the end of your row or round – it works anywhere you need to change your yarn at!

This technique involves changing your yarn color during the last part of working your stitch. 

Changing yarn colors this way will produce a nice, clean color change in your work.

The alternative to this method, would be to cut your yarn and begin your new color by attaching it in the next stitch, but this only works if you are changing yarn colors at the end of your row/round and the change will not be as clean and seamless, not to mention having to weave in your ends later.

In this example, I am using Red Heart Super Saver in Turqua and Cherry Red, an I9/5.5mm hook and single crochet stitches, but this technique is the same all around.

I am not creating anything new here, but I did take the time to take the photos, edit them, and put this tutorial together, so please respect my work. Do not pin or share any of the tutorial images – just the main photo. Provide the link for others to find my page (help out me and my blog with the traffic). Do not copy and paste my work anywhere. Thank you!

Your yarn change will take place in the last yarn over of your stitch. In this photo, the yarn change is being done in the second stitch. However, the red will not appear until the third stitch. Working as a single crochet, it will be as follows, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (you should now have 2 loops on your hook) – DO NOT COMPLETE single crochet!

Next, you will want to take the end of your new color and fold it over leaving a tail approximately 4 – 5″ long.

Place the loop of your new color onto your hook. You will not be joining your new color with a slip stitch, or tying your tail to secure.

Pull the loop through both loops on your hook. So my loops don’t grow too much, I like to hold the bottom of them with my middle finger and thumb, as shown.

The post of your stitch will grow some. No worries!

Just grab the tail of your original color, and pull it. This will tighten and secure your stitch until you work your next one.

Gather your two tails (this includes your first color and tail of your new color), and center them over the top of your stitches. You will be crocheting over them to secure.

The last loop on your hook (loop to the left) should pick up the two tail pieces. Complete the stitch to secure your tails.

When you feel comfortable with the security of your tails, cut your original color. I would recommend adding 5-8 single crochets over your tails before cutting. Don’t cut your tail piece too short – as you continue working with your piece, it will get pulled back into the work and get covered up by the other stitches. *If you don’t feel secure working over your tails, you can always cut it after at least crocheting over them one time, and then weave in the ends. I like to do this when I am using double crochet’s.

And there you have it! How to Change Yarn Colors in Crochet the EyeLoveKnots Way!

If you have any other tips or suggestions about changing your yarn colors, please feel free to share with us by commenting below!


*If you would like a PDF version of this post, you may get one through my Etsy shop for $1. This fee is to compensate for the view/s lost once you no longer need to return to the blog for the information, as you will have your own copy.
Shop EyeLoveKnots – How to Change Yarn Colors PDF


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