How to Change Color in Tapestry Crochet [using Sc] – Step-by-Step Guide

When working on a tapestry crochet project, it is essential to learn how to properly make an invisible color change.

The first rule, not only in tapestry crochet but in crochet in general, is to switch yarn with the last yarn over of the stitch.

This rule applies to all kinds of tapestry crochet projects, whether they are worked in single crochet, half double crochet, or double crochet.

Changing color with the last yarn over of the stitch works perfectly for projects that are crocheted in the round or whenever you’re working on the right side of your work.

Things get a bit more complicated with flat tapestry crochet projects.

Flat Tapestry Crochet Projects

The ideal way of crocheting flat tapestry crochet projects is by switching hands at the end of each row. This way, you do not need to turn your project and all the rows are on the right side.

I’m not sure about you, but I definitely don’t have this superpower of crocheting with both my right and left hands. So, I really need to turn my work at the end of each row so that I can keep crocheting with my good hand.

However, turning implies that there will be a right side and a wrong side!

And let me anticipate to you that on the wrong side, changing color with the last yarn over of the stitch definitely works but the right side will not look very neat.

Fortunately, there are a few different tricks that you can use to improve the right side of your wrong side rows.

The invisible way to Change color in Tapestry crochet – A Step-by-Step Guide

To make things easier for you, I divided this guide into two main chapters:

  • Chapter 1. You’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to change color on the right side. – This is useful for both projects worked in the round and flat.
  • Chapter 2. I’ll share with you 4 different ways to change color on the wrong side. – You’ll need to do this for all those tapestry crochet projects that are worked flat by turning your work at the end of each row.

Since most of my tapestry crochet patterns use single crochet stitches, here, I will show you how to make an invisible color change working in regular single crochet. However, you can apply the same steps when using single crochet in the back loop only or the waistcoat stitch.

Save this step-by-step guide on how to change color in tapestry crochet to your best crochet board on Pinterest by using this pin!

How to Change Color in Tapestry Crochet - Step-by-Step Tutorial - Raffamusa Designs

How to Change color on the Right Side

In this example, I will refer to the pink yarn as CA, and to the green yarn as CB.

Step 1. In this example, we’ll crochet one more stitch with CB before switching to CA.

Step 2. Insert your hook into the next st, yo with CB, and pick up a loop. Then, drop CB and only hold the strand of CA.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Right Side - Raffamusa Designs

Step 3. Yo using CA.

Steps 4. Pull CA through both loops on your hook.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Right Side - Raffamusa Designs

Notice how you just closed your last stitch in CB with the new color. This is essential because this loop that is now on your hook will become the top of the next st!

Step 5. Insert your hook into the next st making sure that CB (previous color) is above your hook.

Step 6. Yo using CA.

Step 7. Complete your sc st.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Right Side - Raffamusa Designs

As simple as that! You just learned how to change color on the right side.

How to Change Color on the Wrong Side

There are mainly four ways you can go about changing color on the wrong side.

  • Method 1. Do the same as for the right side;
  • Method 2. Inverted sc.
  • Method 3. Work the first st after the color change without hiding the unused yarn inside your sts.
  • Method 4. Twisting the two strands of yarn.
Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Wrong Side - Raffamusa Designs

Method 1

This method does not need much explanation since it is really the same as the color change we just saw for the right side.

  • Pros: Easy to make
  • Cons: Color changes are not very neat and the leg of the last st in one color will lean toward the new color.

While this does not matter for many patterns, it can be a problem for very detailed charts. In this case, enlarged sts can ruin the overall look of the pattern.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - Color Change on the Wrong Side - Method 1 - Raffamusa Designs

Method 2

This is an interesting method that I saw on YouTube here, where you make a sort of inverted single crochet.

Basically, even when working on the wrong side, you still single crochet by inserting your hook from the right side of your work to the wrong side.

I tried this method, but I did not particularly like the look of my stitches. I guess it works well with acrylic yarn but I wouldn’t recommend it with cotton yarn.

Comparison of different methods for changing color on the wrong side - Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - Raffamusa Designs

Method 3

In this example, CA is the green yarn, and CB is the yellow yarn.

Step 1. Make one last st in CA, and close it using CB.

Step 2. Take CA from the RS of your work to the WS, which is the one facing you.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Wrong Side - Method 3 - Raffamusa Designs

Step 3. With CB, sc 1 without hiding CA inside the st.

Steps 4. Work the next CB st this time carrying CA inside.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Wrong Side - Method 3 - Raffamusa Designs

Notice that on the WR, at each color change, there is also the yarn in the previous color outside of your sts!

  • Pros: it is easy to make.
  • Cons: I noticed that the texture of my work is not as consistent as with the other methods, especially when there are many color changes close to each other.

Method 4

In this example, CA is the pink yarn, and CB is the green yarn.

Step 1. For the last st in CA, insert your hook into the next st, yo, and pick up a loop.

Step 2. Twist CA and CB. Starting with CA and CB as shown in Step 1, first, bring CB over CA.

Step 3. Then, repeat the same movement with CA. This way, you have twisted your strands of yarn twice.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Wrong Side - Method 4 - Raffamusa Designs

Step 4. Yo using the CB.

Here, you want to make sure to pull CB a bit. This way CB will be properly hidden on the RS of your work, and you won’t have any bumps on your work!

Steps 5. Sc by hiding CA inside your sts.

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial - How to Invisible Change on the Wrong Side - Method 4 - Raffamusa Designs
  • Pros: the work looks clean and neat on both sides.
  • Cons: it takes some time to get used to doing it.

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial! Don’t forget to show me your tapestry crochet projects on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #raffamusadesigns

Try your hand at tapestry crochet with these easy patterns

Find more crochet tutorials here on the blog…

7 thoughts on “How to Change Color in Tapestry Crochet [using Sc] – Step-by-Step Guide”

  1. I love the fourth method! It’s exactly what I was looking to do, but I couldn’t consistently figure out how to do it. Your tutorial makes perfect sense and easy to follow. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!

    Reply

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