How to Color Change in Tapestry Crochet: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Are you ready to add beautiful colorwork to your crochet projects? Tapestry crochet is a technique that allows you to create intricate designs by carrying multiple colors of yarn within the same row. Learning how to change colors smoothly is essential for achieving clean, professional-looking projects. This tutorial will walk you through how to change colors in tapestry crochet step by step. Let’s get started!
Tapestry crochet is a colorwork technique in which multiple strands of yarn are carried along the back of the work while switching colors to create patterns. It’s commonly used for geometric designs, pictorial patterns, and intricate motifs in items like bags, rugs, and accessories.
To get started, you’ll need the following:
Part One: working on the frontside of your work
Begin by crocheting your foundation row or your project up to where the color change will take place. Color changes can be done using any kind of stitch but for this tutorial, we will be using single crochet. In my current row, I have four single crochet stitches.
Start your next stitch, but instead of completing the stitch, stop when you have two loops left on the hook.
Drop the old color to the back of the work and yarn over with the new color, pulling it through the last two loops on the hook.
Begin working the next stitches with the new color while making sure to carry the old color along the row under your stitches. This will make the back of your work much cleaner.
When it’s time to switch back, repeat the same process—on the last stitch before the color change, stop before completing the stitch, yarn over with the original color, and pull through to complete the stitch.
Part Two: working on the backside of your work
Now we will learn how to do color changes on the backside of your work. You always want your strands of yarn that aren’t in use to stay on the same side of your work for the entire project, so when you turn to start the next row, the steps are slightly different.
Just like in part one, start your next stitch, but instead of completing the stitch, stop when you have two loops left on the hook. Next, pull the working yarn of your first color next to the previous loop before moving on.
Pull your next color through the last two loops on the hook to complete the switch.
Begin working the next stitches with the new color while making sure to carry the old color along the row under your stitches, this time on the side towards you.
When it’s time to switch back, repeat the same process—on the last stitch before the color change, stop before completing the stitch, yarn over with the original color, and pull through to complete the stitch.
Here is what color changes will look like on the backside of your work, where you can see the strands of yarn:
And here is how it will look on the front side. Such a clean look!
Now that you know how to change colors in tapestry crochet, you can create stunning, multi-colored designs with ease. Whether making bags, home decor, or garments, mastering this technique will take your crochet projects to the next level. Happy crocheting!
Looking for more crochet tips and tutorials? Follow the quick links below for other beginner stitches or head straight to the full techniques page of my website!
How to Crochet a Cluster Stitch
How to Crochet Two Stitches Together
Ready to try out a pattern utilizing color changes in tapestry crochet? Check out my botanical tapestry patterns on etsy!
