How To Change Colors In Crochet? [ 7 Easy Ways]

Are you fed up seeing the same mundane color throughout a crochet project and want to change it? Fret not! I will help you learn how to change colors in crochet to make the project lovelier and more colorful. Changing color in crochet is not a very tough task. Learn here the secret tips and tricks to make it very easily. But, a query can arise in your mind: how to change colors in crochet easily, right?

Do not finish the last stitch with the current color. Instead, leave two or three loops (based on the crochet stitch) on the hook on the final stitch of your current color. Grab the new color yarn and wrap it around your crochet hook. Now, yarn over for one time. Then, draw the crochet hook back through the existing loops on your crochet hook. Continue crocheting with the new color till you get the desired pattern or reach the intended length. 

That’s not the all! Let’s look at the detailed explanation of how to change crochet colors and how to do it in different stitches! So, let’s drive in detail-

Key Takeaways:

• Stop right before finishing the last stitch with the current color.
• Grab your new color, wrap the yarn around your crochet hook, and yarn it over for one time.
• Secure the new color by completing the stitch after drawing the crochet hook back through all of your current loops.

What Does It Mean To Change Colors In Crochet?

Changing colors in crochet refers to alternating between different yarn colors throughout a piece. I use this method to add contrast and detail to the design and create different patterns. 

Usually, you change colors at the end of a stitch by drawing the new color through to finish the stitch after leaving the last loop unworked. Color shifts give crocheters creative opportunities, enabling them to personalize their work with various hues and patterns and add visual interest. 

What Are The Supplies You Will Need To Change Colors In Crochet?

To change colors in crochet, you will need some basic crochet supplies. Let’s take a look at those:

How to Change Colors In Crochet?

Do you love adding beautiful patterns to your crochet project but feel overwhelmed by how to start? There is no need to be so worked up. You can change yarn colors with different stitches, like single crochet stitch, double crochet stitch, etc. 

Special Tips 1: Do Not Finish The Final Stitch With Only The Current Color: Start the final stitch as usual with the current color. Yarn over and stop when the three loops are reduced to two for the double crochet technique, and stop when only two loops remain on your crochet hook for the single crochet stitch. 

Tips 2: Introduce The New Color And Finish The Stitch: Now, grab the new color yarn and wrap it around your crochet hook. Yarn over one time with the new shade and draw the crochet hook back through the loops to complete the stitch. Keep crocheting with the new color till you reach the desired length.

These are the two main steps to change color in any crochet project. I have also shared the color-changing process for specific crochet stitches in detail in the later parts, along with pictures. Let’s take a look at those:

How to Change Colors In Crochet With Single Crochet Stitches

Are you single Crochet Stitches lover? Don’t know how to change colors in single crochet stitches? Don’t be panicked! It is very easy to do. Let’s see in details:

Step 1:  Insert Your Crochet Hook On The Last Stitch Of Your Current Color

• Continue crocheting in the same color until you reach the final stitch of the desired length.
• Now, insert the hook into the last stitch of this colored yarn.

Step 2: Introduce The New Color And Draw Up A Loop

• Start the stitch with the new color, as in the picture below, and draw one loop with the current color. You will now see that your crochet hook has two loops.
• Remember to leave a small tail for the new color to weave later.

Step 3: Yarn Over With The New Color

Grab the new color with the crochet hook and yarn over it. 

Step 4: Draw Back Your Crochet Hook Back Through The Loops And Finish Off The Stitch With The New Color

Draw the hook back through both of the loops. Your color change begins, and the stitch with the new color is finished.

Step 5: Secure the Join Of the Two Yarns

Now, to secure the color shift and tighten the join, pull the new yarn through and then gently tug the tails of the old and new yarn. This will guarantee a smooth and secure color transition.

Step 6: Continue Crocheting With The New Color Til You Reach The Desired Length

Now,  work your single crochet stitches as usual using the new color. As you proceed, either leave the yarn tails to weave in later or crochet over them for a few stitches to keep them in place.

How To Change Colors In Crochet With Half Double Crochet Stitches?

Once you have changed colors in single crochet stitches, it is easy to do in the case of half double crochet stitches. The process is the same as the SC. Let’s see the step by-step process with images tutorial:

Step 1: Work Your Last Half Double Crochet Stitch With The Current Color

Do your last half-double (hdc) crochet stitch as usual when you make it to your desired length with the first colors. 

Now, yarn over with the current color and push your crochet needle or hook into the stitch. Again, yarn over for once more time and draw up one loop. It will leave you with two loops on the crochet hook.

Step 2: Add the New Color

Do not finish the stitch first. Put your new color yarn over the hook.

Step 3: Finish The First Stitch With The New Color And Continue Crocheting Till You Reach The Desired Length

Draw this new yarn through each of the hook’s three loops. Then, draw on both the new and old yarn tails to secure the color change. 

Continue crocheting until you reach the desired length, and cut off the yarn after securing the stitches.

Haven’t you cleared yet? Let’s watch this YouTube Video. Hope this video will assist you in visualizing how to change color with half double crochet stitch!

How Can I Change Colors In Crochet with Double Crochet (DC) Stitches?

Wanna change colors in crochet with double crochet stitches? This is the perfect place for you. I have discussed the process step-by-step very clearly. Let’s see the process in detail:

Step 1: Do The Last Stitch Of The Current Color With the Double Crochet Stitch

Keep doing the double crochet stitches till you reach the last stitch. In this stitch, do not finish it. Instead, work yarn over for one time and then, insert your crochet hook into the stitch. Yarn over again, pull up a loop with the crochet hook. It will leave you with 3 loops on the crochet hook at this point.

Step 2: Create One Stitch (YO Once) And Draw The Crochet Hook Back Through The First Two Loops

Now, yarn once more. Then, draw your crochet hook back to the first two loops. At this stage, there will be two loops on your crochet hook, as the picture below shows.

Step 3: Add The New Color To The Stitch

Grab your new color of yarn with the crochet hook. Remember, do not draw back the hook out from the two loops.

Step 4: Yarn Over With The New Color And Draw The Crochet Hook Back Through The Two Loops

Now, wrap the new yarn around your crochet hook to yarn over and then pull the hook through the two loops on the hook.

Now, continue crocheting with the new color to finish your dream crochet project!

How to Change Colors In Crochet In The Row & Round?

To change colors in crochet in a row or round, you can do this in two methods. One is in the middle of the row or the round and another is where you can change the colors at the end of the stitch.

Let’s take a look at the procedures for how to change colors in crochet in a row or round:

How To Change Colors In Crochet In the Middle Of The Row & Round?

Step 1: On The Last Stitch With The Current Color, Draw Up A Loop

When you reach the intended length of the current color, yarn over and pull the crochet hook through the stitch to make a loop. 

Step 2: Insert The Hook Into The Top Of The Stitch

After pulling through a loop, insert your crochet hook into the top of the stitch.

Step 3: Introduce The New Color

Grab the new color yarn and yarn over. Now, pull the yarn through the loops on the crochet hook.

Step 4: Continue Crocheting With The New Color

Now, continue to crochet your project with the new color, just like the old color.

How To Change Color In The End Of The Round & Row?

Changing color at the end of the row is the same procedure as changing color in the middle of the row & round. However, you must start crocheting with the new color from the edge instead of the middle.

Let’s take a look at the below picture-wise instructions to change colors in crochet at the end of the round/row.

Step 1: Stop Crocheting Right Before The Final Pull Of The Last Stitch Of The Row

When you reach the end of the row, stop before you pull the yarn for the last time to finish the stitch.

Step 2: Introduce The New Color And Finish The Stitch

Now, grab the new color with the crochet hook and yarn over once. Then pull the hook through all the loops and finish the stitch.

Step 3: Keep Crocheting

Continue crocheting with the new yarn till you finish the project.

How to Change Colors in Granny Squares?

Have you mastered the two basic tips I shared earlier? Then changing colors in granny squares will not be an issue for you. Follow the below instructions closely and you can surely learn how to change colors in granny squares:

Abbreviations:

• Ch = chain
• Dc = double crochet
• Space after 2 chains= Chain to space.

Step 1: Make A Ring To Use As The Foundation

Grab the yarn, twist it with your fingers, and make a slip knot. You will have a loop.

Now, insert your crochet hook inside the loop.

Chain 4.

Insert your hook in the 4th chain from the hook to work a slip stitch. You will have two loops on the crochet hook.

Draw your crochet hook back through the first loop.

Make a little ring by finishing the pulling.

Step 2: Work The Round 1

1. Ch 3 from the ring (it is the first dc).

2. Yarn Over Once.

3. Turn the hook over.

4. Insert the hook inside the ring space.

5. Draw up a loop and you will see three loops on the crochet hook.

6. Make one stitch and draw the hook back through your first two loops.

7. Create a new stitch again (YO) and draw your crochet hook back through the remaining loops (2 on the crochet hook).

8. Create another new stitch (yarning over).

9. Turn and then insert your crochet hook back into the same ring space.

10. Yarn over again and smoothly draw a loop with your hook. 

11. Yarn over once and draw the crochet hook back through the first two loops. Yarn over again and draw back through the remaining two loops. Now you will have 3 dc.

12. Ch 2 and make 3 dc by repeating the above instruction from numbers 2 to 11 under step 2.

13. Again, chain 2 and 3 dc into the ring and do it a total of two times. Just follow instruction number 12 under step 2 to work this.

14. Ch 2 and slip stitch into the 3rd chain as shown in the picture below.

15. After inserting your crochet hook into the 3rd ch, draw a loop and draw your hook back through it (slip stitch) to complete round 1.

Step 3: Work Round 2

16. Choose any space after 2 chains. Ch 3 (1 dc), turn and insert the hook into the same space after 2 chains. Work two more DC into the same space. 

17. Chain 1. Then, work 3 dc into the next space after 2 chains. Ch 3 and work 3 more dc into the same space after 2 chains.

18. Follow the instructions from the instruction no 17 in the above step 3. After chaining 1, work into the next chain to space to create 3 double crochets (dc) in the same space. Then, ch 2 and make three dc in the same space after the two chains. Repeat this process for the remaining two spaces after the 2 chains.

19. Chain 1 and make 3 double crochet (dc) into the first chain to space (we made 3 dc st first).

20. Ch 3 and slip stitch into the 3rd chain. Draw up one loop and then, draw your crochet hook back through the loop.

21. Now, cut your yarn and weave the end. Voila! You learned how to change color in the granny square!

At this stage, you can also follow step 3 to make the granny square bigger with different colors. Or, you can just leave it as it is. Also, do not forget to weave all the loose ends.

How to Change Colors in Crochet Amigurumi?

All of our color-changing method follows the basic two rules. So, you can easily learn how to change colors in crochet amigurumi. Let’s see in details:

Step 1: Add The New Color Before Finishing The Last Stitch

Stop crocheting when you have the loops on your crochet hook for the last stitch. Then, leave the current one and grab the new shade with your crochet hook. 

Step 2: Make A Loop With Your New Color

Now, take the crochet hook with the new color and yarn it over for once. Then, draw your crochet hook back through the loops on it. Now, you will see a loop on the crochet hook with the new color.

Step 3: Slip Knot To Secure The New Color

Make a slip knot with the new color instead of crocheting right away. It will secure the new color.

Step 4: Continue Working With The New Color

Keep crocheting your amigurumi pattern with the new color. When you finish the project, make sure to weave the ends after cutting the yarn.

Conclusion

If you want to add liveliness and make your crochet project enjoyable, you need to know how to change colors in crochet. Introducing different colors in your crochet project will surely relieve the monotonic vibe. Also, adding different colors in a crochet project is a very enjoyable activity.

Here, I focused on sharing how to change colors in crochet with all the standard and main crochet stitches. Whether you want to change colors with the single crochet stitches or with the half-double technique, do not end your last crochet stitch with only the first color.

Instead, introduce the other color you want to use in the last stitch of the old color. Also, I am eagerly waiting to hear about your experience while trying these methods. And do not forget to share your thoughts and inquiries with me using the comment box.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)