DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE COLOR

There are different ways to use color in your crochet projects.  

• Alternating: This technique involves changing the yarn color before you start a row and using that new color throughout the row. 

• Colorwork: This technique involves changing the color within the same row.

Alternating yarn colors are used to create simple patterns or stripes. Colorwork is used to create more intricate patterns, designs, and even images. 

HOW TO CHANGE COLOR

Before you get started, you need to know one very basic thing, how to change color. The most important thing to remember is that the color change happens in the previous stitch. 

Here is an example using single crochet (sc): 

Stitch 1: Main Color (Red)

Insert your hook into the stitch yarn over (red) and pull your hook through the stitch (two loops on your hook). Now yarn over with your new color (green) and pull through both stitches on your hook to complete the single crochet. This stitch is red, but you now have your new color on your hook.   

Stitch 2: New Color (Green)

Insert your hook into the stitch yarn over (green) and pull your hook through the stitch (two loops on your hook). Yarn over (green) and pull through both stitches on your hook to complete the single crochet. This stitch is green.  

Stitch 3: New Color (Green)

Insert your hook into the stitch yarn over (green) and pull your hook through the stitch (two loops on your hook). Now yarn over with your main color (red) and pull through both stitches on your hook to complete the single crochet. This stitch is green, but you now have your main color back on your hook. 

Stitch 4: Main Color (Red)

Insert your hook into the stitch yarn over (red) and pull your hook through the stitch (two loops on your hook). Yarn over (red) and pull through both stitches on your hook to complete the single crochet. This stitch is red; you have not changed your color, so if you continue, stitch 5 will also be red.  

COLORWORK TECHNIQUES

When you are doing crochet colorwork, you need to decide what to do with the yarn that is not in use. The technique you pick will depend on the project and your  preference. There may also be times when you use more than one technique.    

Here are the three main techniques and the pros and cons of each:   

FAIR ISLE  

This technique involves carrying the yarn that is not in use.  The unused yarn is carried behind your work, so it is easy to pick up when needed. Unlike tapestry, the yarn is simply held behind your work until needed and not crocheted into your stitch.  If you look at the back of your work, you will see long horizontal strands between the color changes.     

• Pros:  The backside of your crochet project is cleaner than intarsia, and the yarn is quick and easy to pick up when changing colors.  

• Cons:  You use more yarn, the strands can get caught on things, and the backside is not as clean as tapestry. 

• Best for:  This is best for projects where you are changing colors every few stitches.  This is used for projects where you won't see the backside of your work. 

INTARSIA

This technique involves dropping the yarn that is not in use and then picking it up again when needed.  

• Pros: You use less yarn, your crochet project won't be as thick, and the finished project will be looser and have more give.

• Cons: The backside of your project will be messy, and it will be more difficult and slower to change colors.  

• Best for: This is best for projects where you are changing between colors after every stitch or every few stitches.  This method is for projects where you won't see the backside of your work, such as garments or wall hangings.

TAPESTRY

This technique involves carrying the yarn, that is not in use, along the backside of your crochet project. This is the same technique used in fair isle but instead of just carrying your yarn, you work the unused yarn into your stitches as you crochet. This is the same technique you use if you are someone who likes to work their ends in as they go, instead of weaving them in when you finish your crochet project.   

• Pros: The backside of your crochet project is much cleaner than intarsia and fair isle and is great for a crochet project where both the front and backside are visible.

• Cons: You use more yarn, your crochet project might turn out thicker and stiffer than you want.  The color that you are working with is often visible, especially when using contrasting colors. 

• Best for: This is best for projects where you have a large number of stitches between your color changes.  This method is for projects where you will see the backside of your work, such as blankets.

Now that you know all the basics of crochet colorwork check out these quick tips for reading a crochet graph.