Change Colors Seamlessly in Crochet
Changing colors seamlessly in crochet is a vital skill to add to your crochet skill set. It’s extremely useful in Intarsia crochet, the fancy word for colorwork, to create a crochet fabric with a motif. In this tutorial, I will show you the incredibly easy-to-master skill of how to change colors seamlessly while you crochet.
Be sure to save this tutorial to your Crochet Tips & Tricks board on Pinterest!
Materials
All you need to change colors seamlessly in crochet is TWO contrasting colors of yarn, and the corresponding hook size. Today I’ll be using Yarn Bee True Colors, a super bulky (category 6) yarn, with a size 8.00mm crochet hook.
Abbreviations
American/US terms used throughout.
MC – main color
CC – contrasting color
CH – chain
SC – single crochet
ST(S) – stitch(es)
YO – yarn over
Let’s learn to change colors seamlessly
First, in the MC yarn, create a chain of any length.
Row 1 : SC across the row. CH 1, and turn.
Row 2 : (with MC) SC in the 1st ST. SC in the 2nd ST, but don’t finish it. Follow the bolded instructions to change to the CC seamlessly. [Insert hook into the 2nd ST, YO and pull up one loop (two loops on the hook). Drop the MC yarn, and pick up the CC. YO the CC, and pull one loop through both loops on the hook.] *(with CC) SC in the next 2 STS. (with the MC) SC into the next 2 STS.* Repeat […] until the end of the row.
Continue the repeat until you’ve reached the end of the row.
Tips + Tricks for Changing Colors Seamlessly
What to do with the non-working yarn
First, reference the pattern you’re working through. Usually the designer will give instructions to drop the non-work yarn, or carry it through the pattern. Most often, colorwork crochet will have a right side and wrong side; when in doubt, always pull the non-working yarn to the back of the work (the wrong side).
Trapping the floats
Trapping the floats (the non-working yarn “floating” on the wrong side of the fabric) is pretty handy to prevent snags, or long loops of loose yarn in the back of the work. While holding the non-working yarn on the back of the work, simply crochet over the non-working yarn for one stitch. Repeat this process every 3-4 stitches (or every 1″) to keep it tidy in the back.
Pinch the working stitch while you switch colors
Pinch the color changing stitch to keep your natural tension through the color change. Holding either yarn too loose, or too tight, will cause the size of the stitch bigger or smaller. This creates a little bump in the fabric, and not what we’re after in a seamless color change.
Let’s practice with these patterns
- Dandelion Beanie
- Snowy Walk Ombre Hat
- Mini Wall Hanging Series (coming Spring 2021!)
- Pumpkin Spice Life Wall Hanging
- Prickly Pear Granny Square
