How to Change Yarn While Crocheting

Written by Kate Curry

Single colored products can be stunning, with the piece focused on a simple color and intricate stitches. But sometimes you need some color in your life! Changing yarn mid-project is actually super simple. Once you have done it a few times, you’ll be switching colors left and right!

This method can be done with any type of yarn and any type of stitch!

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Hi there. Keeping our good yarn here. I'm going to show you how to change your yarn when you're crocheting. So this method can be done with any type of yarn. Any type of stitch. Super, super easy. So here I have just a little swatch that I've done using two different types of our sparkle worst weight yarn. I've done two rows of each color and I'm now on one, two, three, four, five, six rows using this sparkle watercolors.

So when you want to change your yarn with your working yarn, you want to get to the last row before you want your color change. And when you're on your last stitch, do not yarn over. And before I yarn over with the last two loops, what I'm going to do is I'm going to take the new yarn. So the new yarn color that I want and I'm going to attach that to my hook.

So you'll technically have two lengths of working hard. Tighten that up. Tighten that up. And then you're essentially going to yarn over with this new yarn. You'll do the one change or however many changes you need to end the row. Turn your work and then you'll be able to go ahead and use this new yarn, just like it was the original working yarn you were using.

You can go ahead and snip the old working yarn. And as you can see, I've done this a few times, which is why I have some strands hanging off this one side. Sorry, I'm finding it a little difficult, too. There we go. And you can use this new yarn for as long as you like. Just like it is the original yarn.

I've seen projects where some people change the yarn every few rows and it's really, really colorful. Or I've seen some projects where there's big blocks of one set color before there's a change. If you use this method, you can just make sure that your color change is nice and clean. Looking doesn't look like there's any gaps, doesn't look like it's, you know, unnatural.

I know that doesn't make any sense, really, because I'm going from rainbow to pink and bright. Could be, you know, a little unnatural. But it looks you know, it looks nice and clean. There's no weird gaps. You know, it looks like it's the same type of yarn. And then, of course, towards the end, you're just going to want to weave in all of these boys.

And that's it. That's all you have to do when it comes to changing yarn, when you're crocheting.

Step 1: When you are working on the last row/round before your color change and you are on your last stitch- DO NOT YARN OVER! Drop that yarn !

Step 2: Using your new colored yarn, attach it to your crochet hook above your old yarn.

Step 3: Pull the new color through your old yarn loops and chain 1 - or however many chains you need at the end of your row. Continue working the pattern as written with your brand new colors! Don’t forget to snip off and weave in the ends of the original color you were using!

Here are some great multi-colored projects for your viewing pleasure!!

Meet the Author

Kate has been on the Darn Good Yarn team since 2018.

They have their degree in Creative Art Therapy & Psychology - and like crafting and animals a little too much.

How Do You Change Yarn When Crocheting?

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