How to Change Colors in Crochet (5 Easy Methods)

Learn the quickest and easiest way how to colors in crochet or change yarn in crochet. You can choose to crochet your garment or blanket in just one color, which can be very elegant and sophisticated. But even if you do this, you will at some point come to the end of one skein of yarn and need to join another. This tutorial will show you several strong, easy ways to change yarn color.

What Does Changing Colors in Crochet Mean?

Changing colors in crochet is the process of switching from one yarn color to another while maintaining a neat and secure join. Color changes can be made at the end of a row, in the middle of a row, in granny squares, or when joining a new skein of yarn. The method you choose depends on your project, the type of yarn, and whether you want the join to be visible or nearly invisible.

One of the wonderful things that gives crochet patterns their special character is the beautiful work you can do with a whole array of colors. Whether you choose to work in ombre shades or bright rainbow colors, there is no denying that changing color in crochet creates a special look. This is especially true when creating blankets, whether granny square-style or worked in rows. Because of this, it is important to learn the best methods of switching yarn color seamlessly. Just tying a big old knot is a no-no! It is really untidy to look at and creates lumps in your work with tails at the back!

How to Change Colors in Crochet

Here is are 4 methods of changing color in crochet projects. We will go into more detail of each method in the next sections.

1. Change color at the end of the row by inserting the new yarn into the last 2 loops of the stitch.
2. Change color mid row by inserting the new yarn into the last 2 loops.
3. Using a magic knot to join yarn mid row.
4. Using a Russian join where you split 2 strands together.
5. Changing yarn in granny squares by joining at the corners with a slip knot.

1. Easy Way to Change Colors in Crochet

This is the easiest method for changing color in crochet, but the disadvantage is that it may come unravelled if you are not very careful about tucking away those loose ends! This method is the most suitable when you don’t have too much color contrast between your colors.

How to Change Colors at the End of a Row

When you get to the last step of the last stitch, before you change the crochet yarn, you will loop the new yarn on your hook and bring it through for that last step of the stitch. Then, you will cover the loose ends with crochet stitches. Here is this method in more detail

1. In the last step of your stitch, you will only have 2 loops left on your hook.
2. Wrap the new color (or new ball of yarn) around the hook, just as though you are going to finish that stitch. Leave a long tail of yarn.
3. Pull the new yarn through the 2 last loops on your hook.
4. Continue with your pattern and the beginning of the row, working your stitches over the top of your loose ends. These stitches will hold the ends in place.
5. Once you have crocheted enough stitches to cover your loose ends, trim the yarn tails close to the fabric. Alternatively, you can use a tapestry or yarn needle to weave in the loose ends firmly between the loops of the crochet stitches.

How to Change Colors in Crochet Rounds

The same method can be used to change yarn colors for crochet when you are working in rounds. Instead of inserting the new yarn when you have the final 2 loops on your hook, you will insert the hook for the slip stitch that joins the round and then pull the new color through. You can then continue as normal.

2. Change Colors in the Middle of the Row

You can use the same method as above to change colors in the middle of the row.

3. Magic Knot Method

Above is hot wo switch colors in crochet. But, if you want to change the yarn in crochet in the middle of the row, you will need to tie the yarn ends of the new and old colors.

I’m not sure why so many crochet terms are called ‘magic’, but this is completely different from the ‘magic ring’ method of starting your work!

1. Cut your working yarn to about 10” (25 cm). Or, if you are simply starting a new skein of yarn the same color, leave yourself about 10” (25cm) to work with. You will not need this entire length, but it is easier to work with a longer end of yarn.
2. Lay the yarns parallel to each other, one coming from left to right, the other from right to left.
3. Make a loop with the ‘old’ yarn by placing it under the ‘new’ yarn, then over the new yarn, then over itself.
4. Pull the end through this loop, making a small knot with the old yarn. Pull it tight.
5. Now make the same kind of loop with the new yarn. Place it over the old yarn, then under the old yarn, and under itself.
6. Pull the end through the loop, as before, and make a small knot with the new yarn. Pull it tight. You now have 2 small knots.
7. Take the old yarn in one hand and the new yarn in the other hand and pull the knots towards each other. Pull it tightly. Just give a little tug to double-check it is tight.

It seems impossible that this will actually hold, but it does very well. You can trim your ends really close to the knot, and it will still hold.

Just be careful not to cut through your newly joined working yarn or through the knot itself. It forms a very discreet and tidy knot that does not show once you have worked the yarn into the stitch pattern.

4. Russian Join Method

In this method of crochet yarn color change, you are splicing the 2 colors together. This takes a little longer but is a nearly invisible method that doesn’t have tails to weave in at the end.

1. Thread your ‘old’ yarn onto a sharp needle. Although we usually use a blunt tip tapestry needle for crochet, this time it needs to be sharp to work its way through the plies of the yarn. A chenille needle will work well for this, if you have one.
2. Working backward along the yarn, thread the needle through the center of the yarn, through the plies, for about 2-3” (5- 7.5 cm). Your yarn may split a bit while you are doing this, but it can be evened out later, and will also be disguised once this is worked into the stitch pattern.
3. Gently pull the needle through the yarn, leaving a loop. Remove the needle.
4. Thread the new yarn into the needle, and thread this through the loop you made with the old yarn.
5. Now do the same with the new yarn, threading the needle through the plies of yarn for about 2-3” (5- 7.5 cm).
6. Smooth out the join by pulling on both threads. If it still looks a little lumpy or split, flatten it with your fingernail.
7. Trim any loose ends.

5. Change Yarn In Granny Squares

The above methods work well when joining yarn for crochet in rows. What about Granny squares? Here is how to change colors in crochet squares:

1. Work your foundation ring and your first round in the first color.
2. To change color in round 2- Insert the yarn into a corner space from round 1, from front to back.
3. Insert hook into the same corner space, from front to back.
4. Wrap yarn over hook and draw up a loop. If you prefer, you can also start the new color with a slip knot, and draw that through your corner space to start the new color. However, you will still need to weave in the ends to keep it secure.
5. Begin the turning chain and pattern for round 2 with the new color. When round 2 is complete, weave in your ends.

It is so much better to weave ends in as you go than to face all that weaving in at the end!

Carrying Yarn Up the Sides

If you are doing a repetitive stripe pattern, and each stripe has an even number of rows, you don’t need to cut the yarn when changing colors in crochet. You can just carry it up the side of the fabric until you need to use it again. This saves a lot of weaving in!

However, it will only work with relatively narrow stripes. If your stripes are wide or there will be many rows before you use that color again, cut the yarn and crochet over the ends or weave them in.

Tips for Neat Color Changes

Here are some easy tips for getting neat color changes:

• Leave long tails
• Weave in ends securely
• Change colors at corners where possible
• Match the joining method to the project

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How to Change Crochet Colors FAQs

Change Colors in Crochet – In Conclusion

Try these methods of changing yarn in crochet on small sample swatches and see which one you like the best. Consider both the look of the join and the working method you prefer. Once you have decided which one is for you, you can crochet up a storm, using as many different yarn color changes as you please!

Now get out some of that yarn stash and start playing around with colors,  now that you know how to change colors and yarn in crochet!

More Crochet Basics

• How To Finish Off Crochet
• Basic Crochet Stitches
• Crochet Hearts
• How To Read A Crochet Pattern
• How To Crochet A Granny Square
• Slip Stitch Crochet
• Chain Stitch Crochet
• How to Crochet for Beginners
• Crochet Hook Sizes & Types