How to Change Colors in Tunisian Crochet

Welcome to Lesson 4 of the Tunisian Crochet Course. In this lesson, we will learn two ways to change colors in Tunisian crochet. If this is your first time hearing about this Tunisian crochet course, then you will want to check out the Prep Lesson and Lesson 1 first to learn more about the materials you will need for this course and the Tunisian crochet basics.

In January 2021, we are treating this course like a Crochet along. It is always fun to learn new things alongside others. To participate in the crochet along, just join the Our Crochet Journey Facebook group to be able to share photos of your work.

Change Colors in Tunisian Crochet

There are three ways to change colors in Tunisian crochet. For now, we will only cover two of them. The three ways are, at the beginning of the forward pass, at the beginning of the return pass, and in the middle of your work. We will cover the first two and possibly address the third way in a dedicated lesson in the future.

Change Colors in Tunisian Crochet Video Tutorial

You can learn the two color change techniques in this video or with the photo instructions below

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Change Colors: Method 1

If you want a nice neat stripe, you can change your yarn color at the beginning of the forward pass. But to have a new color right at the beginning of a new row you will need to change colors at the end of the return pass of the previous row.

Learn how to change colors in Tunisian Crochet two different ways during lesson 4 of the free Tunisian crochet course with video tutorials.

To do this, work your return pass until you only have 2 loops remaining on your hook. Then yarn over with the new color and pull that loop through the last two loops on the hook. This way your first stitch of the next row will be in the new color.

Change Colors: Method 2

We can also change colors are the beginning of the return pass. To do this you will complete your forward pass, then yarn over with the new color and pull through the first loop on you hook to create a chain 1. Then you will complete your return pass with the new color.

Learn how to change colors in Tunisian Crochet two different ways during lesson 4 of the free Tunisian crochet course with video tutorials.

Why two Methods to Change Colors?

When you change colors at the beginning of a forward pass, you will have a clean stripe. When you change color at the beginning of the return pass, then you may have a mixed color row or a clean stripe. This depends on the type of stitch you are using

If you are working a stitch whose loops are pulled up on the front of your project, like the Tunisian simple stitch and Tunisian Smock Stitch, you will see two colors of yarn in that row.

Learn how to change colors in Tunisian Crochet two different ways during lesson 4 of the free Tunisian crochet course with video tutorials.

Stitches that have the loops pulled from the back of the work, like the Tunisian knit stitch and full stitch, will have a clean color change no matter which method you use.

Homework Time!

Grab your Tunisian Crochet hook and at least two colors of yarn. Make a sample swatch of 10-15 stitches and practice changing colors with the Tunisian simple stitch.

First, change the color in every row at the beginning of the forward pass. You will notice that carrying your yarn up the side of the row is very easy in Tunisian Crochet.

Work a few rows then switch and change colors are the beginning of the return pass. You will need to cut one color of yarn to be able to join it on the other side.

You will see how the two methods create a different look with the Tunisian simple stitch.

You can also change colors in the middle of a piece and crochet a graph into your project. I hope to cover this technique in greater depth at a later date.

What is next?

Next you can check out the Tunisian Hat Practice pattern or the Tunisian Washcloth Practice Pattern. Or click the button below to continue to lesson 5.

Week 1: The Basics

Lesson 1 -Tunisian Crochet Basics + Tunisian Simple Stitch
Lesson 2 -Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Practice Pattern 1 – Tunisian Washcloth + Crocheting a Border around your Project

Week 2:

Lesson 3 – Tunisian Knit Stitch
Lesson 4– How to Change Colors in Tunisian Crochet
Practice Pattern 2 – Tunisian Crochet Hat

Week 3:

Lesson 5 – Understanding Gauge
Lesson 6 – Tunisian Full Stitch
Practice Pattern 3 – January 21st – Tunisian Crochet Headband + Weaving in your ends.

Week 4:

Lesson 7– How to Increase and Decrease
Lesson 8 – January 27th – New Tunisian Crochet Stitch
Practice Pattern – January 28th

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Learn how to change colors in Tunisian Crochet two different ways during lesson 4 of the free Tunisian crochet course with video tutorials.
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