Changing Yarn Colors

Changing yarn colors in crochet is a core skill that every crocheter can learn, and it is much simpler than it looks at first glance. This tutorial walks you through practical yarn changeover methods step by step, so you can switch colors smoothly and keep your fabric looking neat and professional. Whether you are brand new to color changes or just want a cleaner finish, the goal is to help you feel more confident and in control each time you join a new strand.

In this tutorial, you will learn three main ways to change colors so you can choose the method that best fits your project. The Mid-Stitch Yarn Change-Over shows you how to switch colors in the middle of a stitch for a smooth, almost invisible transition. The Post-Stitch Yarn Change-Over lets you complete a stitch with one color and then introduce the next color immediately afterward for a neat, controlled join. Finally, the End of Row Color Change walks you through changing colors at the end of a row or round, which is especially helpful for stripes, borders, and projects worked in rows.

While it may seem like tying two yarns together at a certain point would work well enough, there is a simpler process that takes less time and makes your work look more professional. Tying knots can add visible lumps and can cause your work to stretch or flex unevenly. Choose one of the following methods that works for you and follow the steps to become a color-change pro!

For the video tutorial on yarn changeovers, click here.

Mid-stitch yarn change-over

The first method is a yarn change-over that is performed in the middle of a stitch. With this method, you must identify which stitch is to be your last for yarn “A” and only complete a portion of it before completing the stitch with yarn “B”.

Using a single crochet stitch as an example:

1. Insert hook, yarn over, and pull up loop

2. Before finishing stitch, grab your new yarn with your hook.

3. Pull new yarn through 2 loops remaining on hook to complete stitch.

4. Begin crocheting with new yarn.

As for the yarn tail left over from yarn A and the yarn tail introduced by adding yarn B, you have a couple options. You can tuck yarn tails under your stitches and "work" them in to hide them. Or, you can leave the tails poking out for now and sew them in later. However, I must caution you that "working" the yarn tails into your new stitches adds to the height. Because you're not just crocheting around the top loops of the stitches from the previous row, you're adding more yarn which makes things bigger. If your goal is uniformity in your work, this may not be the best option for you. Using a darning needle to weave them in after you finish stitching allows you to maintain uniformity and it gives you a choice for where you want to hide those yarn tails later on. I usually sew tails into the backs of my stitches, behind like colors so you don't see color contrasts beneath the stitches.

To perform this color change method with taller stitches, follow the same steps. Just introduce the new color just before you yarn over and pull through those last loops on your hook!

Post-stitch yarn change-over

With this method, the last stitch you make with yarn A is completed entirely. Yarn B is introduced in a separate step that follows the last stitch.

Using a single crochet as an example:

1. Complete your last stitch and remove hook from the loop.

2. Insert hook into the FLO of the last stitch and the left loop of the face of the stitch.

3. Grab new yarn with your hook.

4. Pull new yarn through 2 loops on hook.

5. Crochet a few stitches with new yarn like normal.

6. The loop remaining from yarn A: pull it free.

7. Cut yarn tail from yarn A and either leave it for now or work it into your stitches.

Like the Mid-Stitch method, same goes for the yarn tails. Working them into your stitches adds to your stitch height. Weaving them in later adds a little time to your project, but it produces better-looking work. Just remember, don't tie any knots!

To perform this color change method with taller stitches, follow the same steps. Complete your last stitch with yarn A, then insert hook into FLO and top left loop of the face of the stitch before pulling in yarn B.

End of Row color change

If you need to change yarn at the end of a row or round that involves chaining, follow these steps.

Again, using a single crochet stitch as an example:

1. For the last stitch in the row/round, insert hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop, but do not finish stitch with yarn A.

2. Grab end of yarn B with your hook.

3. With yarn B, complete the last stitch by pulling yarn B through the last 2 loops on your hook.

4. Leave a 3-4 inch tail of yarn B to remain here.

5. Make a chain with yarn B.

6. Turn your work and crochet a few stitches with yarn B.

7. Cut yarn A leaving 3-4 inches to sew in later.

You can weave the two yarn tails into your work later with a Darning needle. Do not tie any knots! Knots prevent your work from flexing naturally, producing unsightly bunching.

Continuous color changing tips

When a project uses frequent, repeated color changes—like stripes or alternating motifs in just a few colors—you don’t need to fasten off every time. Instead, you can:

• Drop the unused color at the side or back of the work and pick it up again when you need it, keeping strands continuous.

• Use the methods above to switch colors cleanly while minimizing the number of cut ends.

If you change colors often, working tails in as you go may not be as noticeable, especially in highly patterned or textured fabric, and it can save a lot of finishing time. For 3D projects like amigurumi, many tails can be hidden inside the piece with the stuffing, so you have more flexibility. If you prefer very uniform stitches and a polished finish, plan to weave in your tails with a darning needle after you are done crocheting.

Final thoughts

Consistent, clean color changes can make any crochet project look more polished, and they don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a bit of practice—and by using continuous strands where possible—you can change colors often without being buried in yarn tails. If anything in this tutorial feels unclear, feel free to reach out with questions, and explore other learning resources and video tutorials for even more techniques and project ideas.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions. Check out my other posts for more information and my YouTube channel for helpful video tutorials!

Happy crafting!