Changing Colors Part 1

 

Crochet Help
To Change Colors Part 1
Click here for Part 2

 

 Once you get the hang of changing colors you will have so much fun making pictures with crochet. We get more questions on this subject than any other technique. These pages were put together to help you better understand this wonderful technique.

 

· You may carry your unused colors along the back of your work or you may choose to work over your unused colors. Sometimes carried ends show through to the right side of your work. Using tighter stitches can help correct this. We carry all of our colors in our samples. We do this so nothing shows through on the right side for photography and because our model makers prefer to do it that way. I have heard of sewing a backing on the wrong side to cover up ends.

 

· Whenever you have a pattern that calls for cross stitching you can change the colors while crocheting verses cross stitching afterwards.

 

 

 

Directions for changing colors as stated in our patterns.

 

To Change Colors
Work last stitch before color change to last step (2 loops on hook), drop unused color to wrong side; with new color, YO and pull through 2 lps on hook. You may work over unused color or carry it across the back of work.

 

For example below I have made a blue heart inside a cream colored square. I recommend you try this little project for practice. I have used a very large yarn and hook in the photos for you to see better.

Here are the directions that go with the pictures below:
Off White = MC (main color) Blue = CC (contrasting color)

 

Row 1 (right side): Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (11 sc)
Row 2 (wrong side): Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 5 sc, drop MC (see picture #1) and change to CC (see picture #2-3)
with CC sc in next sc (see picture #4), drop CC, change to MC (see picture #5-7), with MC sc in next 5 sc (see picture #8).
Row 4: Ch 1 turn, sc in next 4 sc, drop MC (see picture #9)and change to CC (see picture #10-11); with CC sc in next 3 sc (see picture #12), drop CC and change to a second ball of MC (see picture #13); with MC sc in last 4 sc (see picture #14).
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 3 sc, drop MC and change to CC (see picture #15); with CC sc in next 5 sc, drop CC and change MC; with MC sc in last 4 sc .
Rows 6-8: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sc, drop MC and change to CC; with CC sc in next 7 sc, drop CC and change MC; with MC sc in last 2 sc.
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sc, drop MC and change to CC; with CC sc in next 3 sc, drop CC and change MC (see picture #16-17); with MC sc in next sc, drop MC, change to CC (see picture #18); with CC sc in next 3 sc, drop CC and change MC; with MC sc in last 2 sc.
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sc, drop MC and change to CC; with CC sc in next 2 sc, drop CC and change MC (see picture #19-20); with MC sc in next 3 sc, drop MC, change to CC (see picture #21); with CC sc in next 2 sc , drop CC and change MC; with MC sc in last 2 sc.
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, finish off unused colors on wrong side of work, sc in each sc across.
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.

 

 

Picture #1 - Right Side
Row 3

 

First 2 rows complete and start of Row 3. Sc in first 4 sc, yarn over and draw up a lp in next sc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #2 - Right Side
Row 3

 

Changing from main color (MC) to contrasting color (CC) on 5th sc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #3 - Right Side
Row 3

 

5th sc completed and color change complete - you are ready to work 6th sc with new CC color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #4 - Right Side
Row 3

 

Changing from contrasting color (CC) back to main color (MC) to on 6th sc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #5 - Right Side
Row 3

 

Shows back of work. Drop contrasting color (CC), pick up main color (MC).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #6 - Right Side
Row 3

 

Yarn over hook with MC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #7 - Right Side
Row 3

 

Draw MC through 2 lps on hook to complete last sc and change to MC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #8 - Right Side
Row 3

 

With MC sc in remaining sc of row.

 

 

Picture #9 - Wrong Side
Row 4

 

Drop MC to wrong side

 

 

 

 

Picture #10 - Wrong Side
Row 4

 

Draw new color through 2 lps on hook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #11 - Wrong Side
Row 4

 

Last sc and color change complete

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #12 - Wrong Side
Row 4

 

With CC sc in next 3 sc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #13 - Wrong Side
Row 4

 

Add a second ball of MC and draw through 2 lps on hook.

 

Adding the second ball keeps you from having to carry the MC across the width of the heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #14 - Wrong Side
Row 4

 

This is what the wrong side of piece looks like after Row 4 is complete. The far left and right strands are the 2 balls of MC. Strand #2 is CC. 2 short strands are ends of starting chains.

 

Note: You may wish to sew the ends of starting chain in right away to reduce the number of loose ends.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #15 - Right Side
Right side view - Row 5

 

Work last stitch before color change to last step (2 lps on hook) drop unused color to wrong side; YO with new color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #16 - Right Side
Right side view - Row 9

 

Drop CC and change MC;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #17 - Right Side
Wrong side view of Row 9

 

MC is carried over on the back.

 

Another alternative would have been to carry the MC under the 3 CC sc. When you work over the unused strands it keeps the wrong side looking neater but sometimes shows through to the right side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #18 - Right Side
Right side view - Row 9

 

Drop MC and change CC;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #19 - Wrong Side
Wrong side view - Row 10

 

Drop CC and change MC;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #20 - Wrong Side
Wrong side view - Row 10

 

Drop CC and change MC;
Color change complete.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #21 - Wrong Side
Wrong side view - Row 10

 

Drop MC and change CC;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #22 - Wrong Side
Wrong side view - Row 10

 

This picture shows working a single crochet stitch over the unused color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #23 - Wrong Side
Wrong side view - Row 10

 

This picture shows the strand that was carried and the strand that was worked over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #24 - Right Side
Right side view - Row 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture #25 - Wrong Side
Wrong side view - Row 12

 

Contrasting yarn and extra main color strands have been cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
     

 

 

 

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