Tapestry Crochet, Easy for Beginners (With Free Pattern)

If you haven't tried the tapestry crochet technique yet, you really should! To make a tapestry crochet pattern, the crocheter use a regular single crochet or another simple stitch and switches colors as needed to make the pattern they want. The resulting fabric is thick and strong, and it can be used to make things like bags, purses, blankets, and decorations for the home.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial

You have probably seen many beautiful pictures of tapestry crochet projects. And you might have thought they were too complicated. Mostly because the pictures have many different colors and are very detailed. But the truth is that tapestry crochet isn't all that different from regular crochet.

It's made with single crochet stitches, but different colored yarns are used at the same time. So you crochet the same way you always have, but you change yarns every so often to make a pattern with different colors.

This tutorial will show you:

• How to change yarn colors
• How to do tapestry crochet in a square
• Give a free heart tapestry crochet pattern

What is Tapestry Crochet?

Tapestry crochet is a type of crochet in which two or more colors of yarn are used at the same time to make a pattern or design. In this method, the strands that aren't being used are carried along the back of the work while the color that is being used is worked over them to make a fabric that looks like it was woven or like a tapestry.

Tapestry crochet is also known by other names, such as: "mosaic crochet," "fair isle crochet," and "cameo crochet."

Tapestry crochet is a popular technique among people who like to crochet because it can be used to make a wide range of designs and color combinations. But it can be trickier than traditional crocheting because you have to pay close attention to tension and color changes to make sure everything looks neat and even.

Supplies for Tapestry Crochet

You will need the following for the crochet colorwork technique:

• Design of your choice in more than one color.
• Yarn in the appropriate colors - for this tutorial I used a Chunky weight yarn with a 5.5 mm hook.
• Crochet hook size suitable for that yarn.
• Scissors.
• Yarn needle.

Abbreviations for Tapestry Crochet

All instructions are written using American crochet terms.

• ch = chain stitch crochet
• sc = single crochet stitch
• c1 = color 1 (this is pink in the samples)
• c2 = color 2 (this is red in the samples)
• rs = right side
• ws = wrong side

How to Do Tapestry Crochet

Tapestry crochet patterns typically come with two sorts of instructions: written explanations and charts. Working from charts is more convenient for me. They are similar to cross stitch embroidery in that you can plainly see when the color changes and it is easy to count.

Many crochet tapestry projects are worked in rounds, which means that all of the rounds are worked on the right side. But, you can also work back and forth. The way of creating the designs is the same.

Tips for Crocheting Tapestry Stitch

• YARN: If you're new to tapestry crochet, use thick yarn and a larger hook to get started. The yarn should not be fluffy since you will be unable to see every stitch.
• TENSION: Don't crochet too loosely. I suggest you should, in fact, crochet tightly. You will crochet with one color over another while using various yarns at the same time.  If you crochet too loosely, another color will show through the stitches. And you want to steer clear of that.
• HOOK: Your crochet hook should be perfectly matched to your yarn. If you don't feel like you're getting the proper tension, consider switching to a smaller (or larger) hook until you're happy with the look of your tapestry fabric.

Recap of How to Single Crochet - Insert hook, yarn over, pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 (1 loop on hook).

How to Change Yarn Color for Tapestry Crochet

The yarn color is always changed while there are still two loops on the hook. In order words, it is changed half way through a single crochet stitch.

• Working in color 1
• Insert hook into stitch.
• Pull through a loop (2 loops on stitch)

• Yarn over in color 2.

• Pull through color 2. You have now changed colors.

After changing the color, place yarn C1 on top of the crocheted piece and continue to crochet with C2 over it. If you do everything correctly, the yarn of different colors will not be seen on either the right or wrong side of the work.

How to Crochet Tapestry Step by Step Instructions for Beginners

To learn how to work this technique, we will make a simple square within a square. This would be the tapestry crochet chart for this sample:

This little sample makes use of two different colors of yarn. As you can see, the first 3 rows are in one color (C1), and then the square pattern with C2  begins.

Because the first single crochet of each row does not count as a chain 1, create the first single crochet of each row in the first stitch of the previous row.

Written Instructions for Tapestry Crochet Stitch:

• Foundation: Chain 13 using C1 yarn.
• Row 1: Sc in every chain to the finish, starting in the second chain from the hook. (12sc) Turn.
• Row 2 & 3: Chain1 (doesn’t count as sc here and throughout), (12sc), Turn.

Rows 4 - 10: C2 and C1 will be used together on this row and the following rows until the 11th row.

• Join C2 at the beginning of row 4.

• Chain 1, 3sc with C1 (remember to color change on the 3rd sc),

How to work with 2 colors: Start crocheting over C1 along the top of your crocheted item, as illustrated. Place yarn C2 on top of the previous row. It should lie flat along the tops of the stitches from the previous row. Continue crocheting with yarn C1 in the normal manner, but this time over C2. Hold C2 with your left hand (if you are right-handed) alongside the crocheted piece to make inserting the hook easier.

• Now work C2 over the top of C1. C1 is enclosed by the stitches of C2.
• 6 sc with C2 (color change on 6th sc),

•  3sc with C1. (still enclosing C2) Turn.

• Continue in this way until row 10.
• At the end of each row, neatly pass the C2 to the back to start a new row.

• Rows 11 - 13: Ch1, sc with C1.

Congratulations!!! Your first tapestry crochet sample is finished! Did you find it easy?

Tapestry Crochet Troubleshooting

If you see yarn showing between the stitches, try pulling the yarn a little before each color change. But don't overdo it; otherwise, your work may gather up! After each row, the width of your project should remain constant.

While making every stitch, crochet over the yarn of a different color. Don't leave any out. Otherwise, you'll have yarn floats on the right (or wrong) side, and your fabric will not be reversible.

When working in rows, it is important to determine which side is right and which is wrong. It is irrelevant to the pattern because it will be reversible. So, you will need to understand how to begin each row.

While beginning a row on the wrong side, hold the second yarn in front of your work. Now begin row 2 on the right side, holding the second yarn behind the work. The incorrect side will have little colorful loops, while the right side will be clean and neat.

Free Tapestry Crochet Pattern, HEART

Your color chart will look like this:

Turning chain: Ch 1 to turn in every row.

• Foundation: Chain 18 in color 1.
• Row1: sc in second chain, sc across in color 1
• Rows 2-3: sc across in color 1
• Row 4: Join in color 2 at start of row. 8sc in c1, 1sc in c2, 8sc in c1. Remember to enclose your extra color of yarn all the time. It is really easy to forget!
• Row 5: 7sc in c1, 3sc in c2, 7sc in c1.
• Row 6: 6sc in c1, 5 sc in c2, 6 sc in c1.
• Row 7: 5 sc in c1, 7 sc in c2, 5 sc in c1.
• Row 8: 4 sc in c1, 9sc in c2, 4 sc in c1
• Rows 9- 10: 3 sc in c1, 11 sc in c2, 3 sc in c1.
• Row 11: 4 sc in c1,4sc in c2, 1sc in c1, 4 sc in c2, 4 sc in c1.
• Row 12: 5 sc in c1, 2 sc in c2, 3 sc in c1, 2 sc in c2, 5 sc in c1.
• Row 13-15: sc in c1.
• Finish off and weave in ends.

Done! Now you have a cute little heart motif for anything you would like to add a heart! You could make up a whole blanket from these heart squares stitched together. It also makes a lovely coaster, just on its own.

Tapestry Crochet FAQs

What is the best stitch for tapestry crochet?

While single crochet is the most commonly used stitch for tapestry crochet, half double crochet (hdc) and double crochet stitches (dc) can also be utilized.

In tapestry crochet, how do you keep the yarn from tangling?

To stop your yarn from becoming tangled while working tapestry crochet, follow these three rules:

• Maintain your yarn balls in the same locations in relation to your work at all times.
• Pick up the yarn in the same place as the ball of yarn from which it came.
• Keep checking that your yarns haven’t become twisted.

Is tapestry crochet difficult to learn?

Tapestry crochet simply employs simple stitches like single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. As a result, even inexperienced crocheters can use this technique.

What can you make with tapestry crochet?

To start tapestry crochet, you need to choose the right yarn and hook size, as well as learn the basics, like how to carry yarns and change colors. Once you get the hang of it, there are a lot of things you can make. You can make beautiful tapestries, bags, hats, and more.

With tapestry crochet, you can make anything from simple geometric shapes to complicated designs that include images or text. To get good at it, though, you need to practice and be patient because the tension and space between stitches can be hard to get right at first.

Tapestry Crochet - In Conclusion

In conclusion, tapestry crochet is a fascinating technique that lets you make beautiful, multicolored designs. This technique involves using two or more colors at the same time, and it can be used to make many different patterns and motifs.

Overall, tapestry crochet is a fun and rewarding skill to learn for anyone who likes to crochet and wants to take their skills to the next level. With some practice and creativity, you can make beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces that show off your style and personality.