If you have ever changed colors in a crochet project, you likely have seen this advice: crochet all of your stitch except the last yarn over and pull though, and instead, do that last pull through with the new color. Then, continue on like normal. Now, it’s good advice…in most cases. But when working in turned rounds, it doesn’t give the best effect, especially when you change colors from the “wrong” side of your work. That color change method leaves a weird little hash mark and it leaves your yarn tails on the outside of your work – not where we want them. But, there is a better way. Let me show you how.
Below you will find written instructions with photos and video tutorials for both right and left handed crocheters. Choose the option that works best for you. But first, save this to Pinterest so you can always find it when you need it!
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(P.S. Like the yarn and hook I’m using in this tutorial? It’s Swish Worsted from WeCrochet and the Streamline Fusion hook in Mango + Blue from Furl’s Crochet!)
Changing Colors from the Wrong Side (for Right Handed Crocheters)
This is an alternative to the standard “slip stitch to the first stitch to join,” so you will do this instead of a standard join.
1. When on the “wrong” side of your work, go under your working yarn and insert your hook from the back side to the front side of the first stitch you are joining to (A).
2. Then, wrap your yarn clockwise under your hook (B), and pull the yarn through the first stitch and the loop on your hook (C). Your working yarn should now be on the inside of your project.
3. Turn so you are now facing the “right” side of your work. Pull the new color through the loop on your hook (D).
4. Pull on the tail of the first color to tighten down the first color loop until only the new color is visible (E).
5. Chain and work the next round as written (F). Note: If your first stitch of this round is worked into the join stitch from the previous round, it may be a little tight.
And that’s it! Now you have a nice, clean color change when working in turned rounds. Want to put it into practice? Check out the Driftwood Spirit Beanie (coming to the blog September 12!).
More of a “show me” learner? Check out the video below!
Changing Colors from the Wrong Side (for Left Handed Crocheters)
This is an alternative to the standard “slip stitch to the first stitch to join,” so you will do this instead of a standard join.
1. When on the “wrong” side of your work, go under your working yarn and insert your hook from the back side to the front side of the first stitch you are joining to (G).
2. Then, wrap your yarn counter-clockwise under your hook (H), and pull the yarn through the first stitch and the loop on your hook (I). Your working yarn should now be on the inside of your project.
3. Turn so you are now facing the “right” side of your work. Pull the new color through the loop on your hook (J).
4. Pull on the tail of the first color to tighten down the first color loop until only the new color is visible (K).
5. Chain and work the next round as written (L). Note: If your first stitch of this round is worked into the join stitch from the previous round, it may be a little tight.
And that’s it! Now you have a nice, clean color change when working in turned rounds. Want to put it into practice? Check out the Driftwood Spirit Beanie (coming to the blog September 12!).
More of a “show me” learner? Check out the video below!
If you plan to try this out, let me know in the comments!
Happy stitching!
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