crochet 101 :: switching colors

Crochet 101 is a series of crochet tutorials where I will teach you how to complete the basic stitches needed to crochet.

Hi :) 

Six more lessons to go in this series! Then we can start our first project!!

So far, in Crochet 101, we have learned how to:

• Make a slip knot
• Chain stitch
• Slip stitch (part II)
• Single crochet (part II)
• Half double crochet (part II)
• Double crochet (part II)
• Treble crochet (part II)
• Crochet in the back loop (part II)
and
• Crochet in the front loop (part II)


Let's move on to lesson 17:

This technique is what makes crochet pieces even more interesting. Not only will the look of the fabric or pattern stand out, but the colors will make or break a piece. Often times, the color or colors I will be using in a project will determine which pattern I will be using, or vice versa. 

*PLEASE NOTE: This tutorial is written with the assumption that you know how to make the double crochet stitch and understand what a turning chain is. 

I will be showing you how to do this technique using the double crochet stitch, but the same actions can be done with any stitch.

Let's get started!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will need:

*Yarn

*Hook

In this post, I show you where to look for what type of hook you will need for your yarn.

Step 1:

Start by making a row of double crochet stitches, leaving the last stitch not worked. (In this case I have 9 stitches worked with 1 more chain ready for the last stitch.)

Step 2:

 Yarn over.

Step 3:

Insert your hook into the last chain of your starting chain.

Step 4:

 Yarn over.

Step 5:

 Pull the yarn through.

Step 6:

 Yarn over.

Step 7:

 Pull through 2 loops. 2 loops left on your hook.

Here is where the change of color comes in:

Step 8:

 Measure out about 3 inches of your working yarn...

 ...and cut the working yarn.

Step 9:

 Lay the tail of the new color over the top of the hook (it doesn't matter if the tail end is in the front or the back of the hook; here I show it going toward the back of my work).

Step 10:

 Hold the new color in place with your pointer while you situate your yarn holding hand.

Step 11:

Hold the new yarn as you normally would with your yarn hand...

 ...and keep the new yarn tail in place while holding onto your work.

*Laying the new yarn tail over your hook acts as a yarn over and you can now complete the next step of the color change.

Step 12:

Pull the new color through the last 2 loops on the hook (just like you normally would with a double crochet).

This is what your work should look like. You have completed one row of one color (in my case, blue) and are ready to move onto the next row of your second color (in my case, purple).

Now what do we do?

We move on to the next row as normal:

 Chain 3 and turn your work.

 Insert your hook into the next stitch.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through 2 loops. 2 loops left on the hook.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through the last 2 loops on the hook. You have completed your first stitch of the next row and a successful color change!

If you are not going to be doing any more color changes, you would continue working in every stitch as the stitch is normally worked.

For this tutorial, we are making a striped sample so continue with double crochet across the row until you get to the last stitch (the turning chain).

 Your work should look like this.

Repeat steps 2-12:

 Yarn over.

 Insert your hook into the top chain of the turning chain.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through 2 loops. 2 loops remaining on your hook.

 Measure about a 3 inch tail and cut your working yarn.

 Lay your new color tail over the hook.

Secure the tail with your yarn hand so the tail won't come loose.

 Pull the new yarn thorough the last 2 loops on the hook...

...and you have now completed 2 rows of double crochet and 2 successful color changes!

Continue with your row of stitches until you get to the last stitch, then repeat steps 2-12. It's as easy as that!

Below are 2 videos I made to show these steps in action. I have slowed the videos down so that every step is seen. I have also added music to the video because I filmed these videos with my phone and I have no idea how to mute the background while recording. Feel free to mute if piano is not your thing lol

Enjoy!

*This first video shows steps 1-12 of the tutorial (minus cutting the yarn) and the first 3 stitches of row 2.

*This second video shows how to work the last stitch of the second row, change to a new color, chain for the turning chain, and the first stitch of the next row.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Normally, the second part of this tutorial would be posted tomorrow, but seeing as tomorrow is September 11th, I thought it would be disrespectful not to take the time to remember those who lost their lives that day 12 years ago.

Therefore, Crochet 101: Switching Colors part 2 will be posted on Thursday.

See you tomorrow friend!