Crochet technique
Crochet Colourwork
Crochet colourwork is any technique that places multiple yarn colours in one fabric, including stripes, tapestry, mosaic, intarsia and C2C graphs. The basic skill is changing colour on the last yarn over of the stitch before the new colour begins. This keeps colour edges crisp and aligned.
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How to get started with crochet colourwork
- Work the stitch before the colour change until 2 loops remain on the hook.
- Drop the old colour to the back.
- Yo with the new colour and pull through the last loops.
- Continue stitches in the new colour.
- Leave 10–15 cm tails and weave them in along stitches of the same colour.
How do you change colours in crochet?
To change colours in crochet, complete the last yarn over of the previous stitch with the new colour. The new colour then shows cleanly from the next stitch.
When changing colour at the start of a row, change on the final yarn over of the last stitch of the previous row.
Which crochet colourwork technique should you choose?
Choose stripes for simplicity, tapestry for dense multicolour motifs, mosaic for geometric patterns with one colour per row, and C2C for pixel art.
Intarsia is best for large blocks of colour where carried yarn would add bulk.
| Technique | Colours per row | Carry yarn? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripes | 1 | No | Blankets, scarves |
| Tapestry | 2+ | Yes | Bags, baskets, motifs |
| Mosaic | 1 | No | Geometric blankets |
| Intarsia | 2+ | No, bobbins | Large shapes, garments |
| C2C | Many | No, bobbins | Pixel-art blankets |
How do you hide colour change jogs in rounds?
Colour jogs in joined rounds are hidden by joining with a slip stitch in the new colour and starting the round with a standing stitch.
In spiral rounds, a slip stitch followed by a gradual height transition smooths the step.
Patterns to practise on
Ten-petal mini crochet daisy
- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 4 mm hook
- Yardage
- 10 yd
Free pattern
Flat crochet Christmas tree ornament
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 4 mm hook
- Yardage
- 18 yd
Free pattern
Daisy granny square with cluster petals
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 5 mm hook
- Yardage
- 35 yd
Free pattern
Eight-square granny tote bag
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 5 mm hook
- Yardage
- 330 yd
Free pattern
Eight-square granny square vest
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 5 mm hook
- Yardage
- 800 yd
Free pattern
Soft striped crochet ball for babies
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 3.5 mm hook
- Yardage
- 70 yd
Free pattern
Sunburst granny square in four colours
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 5 mm hook
- Yardage
- 45 yd
Free pattern
Crochet sunflower appliqué with pointed petals
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Medium (#4)
- Hook size
- 4 mm hook
- Yardage
- 15 yd
Free pattern
Frequently asked questions
Do you cut yarn when changing colours?
Only if the old colour will not be used soon; otherwise carry it up the side.
How do you carry yarn up the side?
Twist the old colour around the new one at the start of each row.
What is a standing stitch?
A stitch started with the yarn already on the hook, with no chain.