Learn to crochet · lesson 9 of 12 · about 25 minutes

How to change colour in crochet and weave in ends

To change colour in crochet, work the last stitch in the old colour until two loops are left, then pull the new colour through those two loops. That way the next stitch starts cleanly in the new shade. Afterwards you weave the tails into the back with a tapestry needle so they stay put.

Step by step

1. 1Change in the stitch before

   The swap happens in the last stitch of the old colour, not the first stitch of the new one. So think ahead to where you want the new colour to start.

2. 2Stop before the last yarn round hook

   Work that last stitch until you have two loops left on the hook. For double crochet (US single crochet): insert the hook, yarn round hook, pull up a loop, stop. For treble (US double crochet): yarn round hook, insert, yarn round hook, pull up a loop, yarn round hook, pull through two, stop.

3. 3Pull the new colour through

   Cut the old yarn, leaving a tail of about 15cm. Lay the new colour over the hook, also with a 15cm tail, and pull it through both loops. Give both tails a gentle tug to snug the stitch up.

4. 4Stripes: change at the end of a row

   For stripes, do this on the last stitch of the row. Then turn and make the turning chain in the new colour. Changing at the end of a row also keeps the tails at the edge, where they’re easier to hide.

5. 5Carry or cut

   If you’ll use the old colour again within a few stitches, you can carry it along the back instead of cutting. The Craft Yarn Council suggests catching it into your stitches every 2 or 3 stitches if you carry it further than 3 or 4. For simple stripes, cutting is easier. You can also crochet over the tails for a few stitches to hide them as you go.

6. 6Skip the knot

   Tying the two yarns together is tempting, but a knot can work loose and you can feel it in the fabric. If you want a knot to hold things while you learn, make it loose and undo it before weaving in.

7. 7Fasten off

   When you finish, cut the yarn leaving about 15cm. Yarn round hook, pull it right through the last loop, and pull the tail to close it.

8. 8Weave in on the wrong side

   Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle. On the wrong side, run it in and out through the backs of the stitches for 5 to 7cm, then turn and go back in a different direction. Weave the other tail the opposite way. Gently stretch the fabric so nothing puckers, then trim. Don’t cut right up to the fabric.

Check your work

• The new colour starts with a full stitch, with no loop of the old colour on top of it.
• You can’t see the woven ends from the front.
• When you stretch the fabric gently, no tail pops out and nothing puckers.

Common mistakes

A little blip of the old colour sits on top of the first new stitch.

You changed colour too late. Bring the new colour in on the final pull-through of the stitch before.

You tied a knot and now feel a lump.

Next time, join with the colour-change method above instead. A proper join is smoother and holds better once the tails are woven in.

The fabric puckers where you wove in an end.

You pulled the tail too tight. Ease the fabric back out by stretching it, or pull back some of the weaving and redo it more loosely.

Ends work loose after a wash.

Weave in further and change direction at least once, going through different stitches. Leave a short tail rather than cutting flush.

Plan a striped temperature blanket →

Sources: craftyarncouncil.com, simply-yarn.com, simply-yarn.com, simply-yarn.com, blog.bellacococrochet.com. Written in UK terms; the US name is in brackets the first time a stitch appears.