How to change colors in crochet

Changing yarn colors is one of the easiest ways to add stripes, pictures, and fun details to your crochet projects. Once you know when to pick up the new color, the technique is simple and works with almost any crochet stitch.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to change colors in crochet for rows, rounds, and basic stitches. I’ll also share tips for getting clean color changes and deciding whether to carry your yarn or cut it.

Why you’ll love learning crochet color changes

• Easy to learn: You only need to change yarn on the final yarn over of a stitch.
• Works with basic stitches: Use the same idea with single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and more.
• Perfect for stripes: Changing colors makes it easy to add stripes to blankets, scarves, hats, and other projects.
• Great for colorwork: Use color changes to create pictures, shapes, letters, and other designs.
• Easy to customize: Change the colors in a pattern to create a completely different look.
• Useful in rows and rounds: The technique works for projects crocheted flat or in the round.
• Creates cleaner projects: Learning exactly when to switch yarn helps keep color changes neat and defined.

Supplies

You only need a few basic crochet supplies:

• Yarn in two or more colors
• Crochet hook appropriate for your yarn
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Not sure which hook to use? My Crochet Hook Sizes Guide explains how crochet hook sizes work and how they affect your finished stitches.

Before you begin

This tutorial uses U.S. crochet terminology.

The basic color-changing method is the same regardless of the colors or yarn weight you use.

For the cleanest crochet color change, always introduce the new yarn during the final yarn over of the stitch before the new color begins.

If you are new to written crochet instructions, my How to Read a Crochet Pattern guide explains common abbreviations, repeats, and pattern formatting.

How to change colors in crochet

The easiest way to remember how to switch colors in crochet is:

Start the stitch with the old color and finish the stitch with the new color.

Here’s how:

1. Work the stitch with your current yarn color until only the final yarn over remains.
2. Drop the current yarn color.
3. Place the new yarn color over your hook.
4. Pull the new color through the remaining loops on your hook to finish the stitch.
5. Continue crocheting with the new color.

Your next stitch will now begin completely in the new color.

This method creates a much cleaner transition than finishing the entire stitch with the old color and attaching the new yarn afterward.

How to change colors in single crochet

A single crochet stitch normally ends by pulling the yarn through two loops.

To change colors:

1. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
2. Yarn over with the current color and pull up a loop. You will have two loops on your hook.
3. Drop the current color.
4. Yarn over with the new color.
5. Pull the new color through both loops on your hook.
6. Continue single crocheting with the new yarn.

If you need help with the stitch itself, visit my How to Single Crochet tutorial.

How to change colors in half double crochet

To change colors in half double crochet:

1. Yarn over with the current color.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have three loops on your hook.
4. Drop the current color.
5. Yarn over with the new color.
6. Pull the new color through all three loops.
7. Continue crocheting with the new yarn.

My How to Half Double Crochet tutorial can help if you need a refresher on making the stitch.

How to change colors in double crochet

To make a clean color change in double crochet:

1. Yarn over with the current color.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. Yarn over and pull through two loops.
5. Stop when two loops remain on your hook.
6. Drop the current color.
7. Yarn over with the new color.
8. Pull the new color through the final two loops.
9. Continue double crocheting with the new yarn.

This is the method I use when a color change needs to begin immediately in the next stitch.

You can review the basic stitch in my How to Double Crochet tutorial.

How to change colors in the middle of a row

Changing colors in the middle of a row is useful for crochet colorwork, pictures, letters, and graphic designs.

Work across the row until you reach the final stitch before the color change.

Begin that stitch with the current color and complete its final yarn over with the new color. Then continue with the new yarn for the required number of stitches.

When the pattern tells you to switch back, use the same method again.

For example, if your written instructions say:

green x 3, purple x 3, green x 4

Work the first 3 stitches in green. On the final yarn over of stitch 3, switch to purple. Work three stitches in purple, changing back to green on the final yarn over of the third purple stitch.

This keeps the edges of your colorwork much cleaner.

How to change colors at the end of a row

If the next row begins with a different color, change yarn while completing the last stitch of the current row.

Do not finish the row completely and then attach the new color.

Instead:

1. Begin the final stitch with the current color.
2. Complete the final yarn over with the new color.
3. Turn your work and make the turning chain with the new color.
4. Continue the next row.

This creates a cleaner color change along the edge of your crochet.

If you are working back and forth in rows, my How to Crochet Straight Edges guide can also help you keep your first and last stitches consistent.

Changing colors in crochet in the round

You can use the same basic technique when changing colors in crochet in the round.

If you are changing colors in the middle of a round, finish the stitch before the new color with the new yarn just as you would when working in rows.

If the entire next round will use a different color, switch yarn while finishing the last stitch or join of the current round, depending on how the pattern is written.

The most important thing is to make the new color active before you begin the first stitch that should appear in that color.

How to switch colors in crochet without cutting the yarn

You do not always have to cut your yarn every time you change colors.

For projects with frequent color changes, you may be able to carry the unused yarn until you need it again.

There are two common ways to do this.

Carry the yarn behind your stitches

Let the unused yarn float loosely across the wrong side of your work while you crochet with the active color. Do not crochet over the unused strand.

If you are working back and forth in rows, keep the float on the wrong side each time you turn so it does not show on the front of the project.

This method works best when the back of the project will not be visible and the distance between color changes is short.

Keep the float loose enough that it does not pull on the fabric. If the unused yarn is carried too tightly, your crochet can pucker or lose its shape.

Crochet over the unused yarn

Lay the unused color across the top of the stitches from the previous row or round and crochet over it with the active yarn.

This traps the unused color inside the stitches until you need it again.

This technique works especially well when colors change frequently.

Keep in mind that a dark yarn carried inside very light stitches may show through.

Should I carry the yarn or cut it?

It depends on your project.

Carry the yarn when:

• You will use the color again soon.
• The distance between color changes is short.
• You want to avoid weaving in lots of ends.
• The carried yarn will not show through your stitches.

Cut and rejoin the yarn when:

• The next color change is far away.
• Carrying the yarn would create long floats.
• A dark carried yarn would show through a light color.
• You want the back of the project to look especially clean.

There is no single method that works best for every project.

How to get a clean color change in crochet

A few small details can make a big difference when changing yarn colors in crochet.

Change color on the final yarn over

This is the most important rule.

Waiting until the stitch is completely finished can leave a noticeable bump of the old color at the beginning of the new section.

Keep your tension consistent

Do not pull the new yarn too tightly when you attach it.

A tight color change can make your stitches smaller and cause the fabric to pucker.

Leave a yarn tail

Leave enough yarn to weave in securely later.

Avoid tying tight knots between colors unless the pattern specifically tells you to.

Check the front of your work

After making the color change, look at the front of your stitches before continuing.

It is much easier to correct a messy transition immediately than several rows later.

Keep your yarn organized

Multiple balls of yarn can quickly become tangled during colorwork.

Arrange them in the order you are using them and turn your project carefully as you work.

Tips for an invisible color change in crochet

A crochet color change may not be completely invisible, especially when switching between strongly contrasting colors, but you can make the transition much less noticeable.

For a cleaner or more invisible color change in crochet:

• Switch yarn on the final yarn over of the previous stitch.
• Keep both colors at the same tension.
• Avoid loose loops where the colors meet.
• Keep carried yarn relaxed but not floppy.
• Weave ends into stitches of the same color whenever possible.

With practice, the transition between colors will look much smoother.

Common crochet color change mistakes

Changing yarn too late

If you complete the entire stitch in the old color before introducing the new one, part of the old color may appear where the new section should begin.

Fix: Change yarn during the final yarn over of the previous stitch.

Pulling the new yarn too tightly

This can distort the stitch and pull the surrounding fabric inward.

Fix: Match the tension of the surrounding stitches.

Leaving long floats

Long strands of unused yarn across the back of the project can snag.

Fix: Carry the yarn only over short distances or cut and rejoin it.

Carrying dark yarn through light stitches

A dark strand can sometimes show through pale stitches.

Fix: Cut and rejoin the yarn or carry it along the back rather than crocheting over it.

Losing track of stitches

Color changes can make it easier to accidentally add or skip stitches.

My How to Count Crochet Stitches tutorial can help you keep your stitch count accurate while working colorwork.

Crochet patterns that use color changes

Once you know how to change colors in crochet, you can use the technique in all kinds of projects.

My Crochet Christmas Tree Blanket Pattern uses color changes to create rows of evergreen trees along both ends of the blanket.

My Halloween Crochet Blanket Pattern uses contrasting yarn colors to create the repeating ghost design.

Color-changing techniques are also useful for crochet squares, character hats, striped blankets, graph patterns, and other projects with multiple colors.

Frequently asked questions

When should I change colors in crochet?
Change yarn during the final yarn over of the stitch immediately before the new color should begin. Finish that stitch with the new yarn, then continue crocheting with the new color.

How do I switch colors in crochet without making a knot?
Drop the old yarn before the final yarn over, place the new color over your hook, and use it to complete the stitch. Leave a yarn tail long enough to weave in securely later.

How do I make a clean color change in crochet?
Change yarn on the final yarn over of the previous stitch, keep your tension consistent, and make sure the new yarn is secure without pulling it too tightly.

Can I carry yarn when changing colors in crochet?
Yes. If you will use the color again soon, you can carry it along the wrong side of your work or crochet over it. Avoid carrying yarn over long distances because it can create loose floats or distort the fabric.

Do I need to cut the yarn every time I change colors?
No. Carrying yarn works well when colors change frequently and are used again within a short distance. Cut and rejoin the yarn when the next color change is farther away or when carrying the yarn would be noticeable.

How do I change colors in crochet in the middle of a row?
Work to the stitch immediately before the new color begins. Start that stitch with the old color and complete its final yarn over with the new color. Continue crocheting with the new yarn.

How do I change colors at the end of a crochet row?
Complete the final yarn over of the last stitch with the new color. Turn your work and make the turning chain with the new yarn before beginning the next row.

Can I change colors in single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet?
Yes. The same basic method works with all three stitches. Begin the stitch with the current color and complete the final yarn over with the new color.

Learn more crochet skills

Learning a few basic techniques can make your crochet projects much easier and more polished. Visit my Learn Crochet page for beginner stitch tutorials, sizing guides, troubleshooting help, and more crochet tips.

Let’s connect!

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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa