How to Change Colours in Crochet (Without Messy Joins)
Switch on the last yarn over, not after the stitch — that one habit gives clean colour changes in rows, rounds and stripes. Plus carrying, cutting and hiding the jog.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Two contrasting worsted (#4) yarns
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- 15 minutes to learn
In this post
Every crocheter's first stripes look messy at the edges for the same reason: they finish a stitch in the old colour, then start the new colour. The fix is one habit: change colour on the last yarn over of the stitch before. The loop on your hook — which becomes the top of the next stitch — is then already the new colour.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The basic colour change
- Step 1: Work the last stitch in the old colour until the final yarn over (for sc: 2 loops on the hook; for dc: the last 2 loops).
- Step 2: Drop the old colour. Pick up the new colour, leaving a 6-in tail.
- Step 3: Yarn over with the new colour and pull through to finish the stitch.
- Step 4: Continue in the new colour. Tug both tails gently to snug up the join.
Changing colour at the end of a row
For stripes in rows, make the change on the last yarn over of the last stitch of the row. Then chain and turn in the new colour. If the stripes are only 2 rows high, carry the unused colour up the side instead of cutting it.
Carry, or cut?
| Situation | Do this |
|---|---|
| Stripes 2–4 rows apart | Carry the yarn loosely up the edge |
| Stripes far apart or many colours | Cut, leaving 6-in tails |
| Colourwork within a row (tapestry crochet) | Carry inside the stitches by working over it |
| Amigurumi colour blocks | Cut and knot inside the piece |
Colour changes in the round
- Joined rounds: change colour on the yarn over of the joining slip stitch. The new colour starts the next round cleanly.
- Spiral rounds: a small "step" (the jog) is unavoidable where rounds meet. Hide it at the back. On the first stitch of the new colour, work a slip stitch instead of a sc to soften the step.
- Spiral stripes on purpose: see our candy cane trick.
Dealing with tails
Crochet over the tails as you go: lay both tails along the top of the row and work the next 6–8 stitches around them. Then trim. That saves a lot of weaving later — see how to weave in ends for the rest.
Practise with these patterns
- Candy corn — two colour changes in rounds.
- Halloween granny square — a new colour every round.
- Temperature blanket — a colour change every row, all year.
Common questions
Should I tie a knot when changing colours?
Not in the middle of the fabric — knots can work through to the front and come undone. Weave the tails in securely instead. Inside amigurumi, a knot is fine.
Why are there holes where I change colours?
The new yarn is loose. Hold the tail firmly for the first two or three stitches, then tug the tails to tighten the join.
How do I change colour in the middle of a row?
The same way: switch on the last yarn over of the stitch before the new colour starts, and carry or drop the old yarn behind the work.
Stripes, blocks or colourwork — what's your next colour project? 🎨
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