There are a number of different ways to change the colour of yarn you are working with in a project.

• You can finish off the current colour you are working with and join the new colour in the next stitch using a standing stitch (i.e. standing single crochet, standing double crochet, etc.).
• You can join your new yarn with a slip stitch and then chain a few stitches to build up to the height of the other stitches.  Please see this chart for the standard number of chain stitches: Understanding the Turning Chains
• Or you can join your new colour of yarn on the last ‘yarn over‘ of the last stitch in the current colour.

How To Change Colours on the Last Yarn Over of a Stitch

This will work for any stitch.

Apply the following concept when you reach the point in the stitch where you will work the last “yarn over” (i.e. the yarn over that completes the stitch). Change to the new colour of yarn for the last yarn over.

This is the end of a row of stitches. The pattern I am working is for the Larksfoot Stitch Tutorial, which is created using double crochet stitches and chain stitches.

You will begin your next double crochet by working into the final chain-3 of the row (Note: for the purposes of this tutorial this final chain-3 is considered a double crochet stitch).

Yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the top of the chain-3.

Yarn over the hook and pull up 1 loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook.

Yarn over the hook.

Pull through 2 of the loops on the hook.

You now have 2 loops remaining on the hook. To complete the double crochet stitch you will need to do one final yarn over and pull through so now is when you need to yarn over with the new colour of yarn – to change colours. You can use this technique mid-row or at the ends – basically anywhere and you will weave in the tails afterwards. Make sure you leave a long enough tail to be able to weave in the end thoroughly – I usually leave 6 to 8 inches.

Yarn over with the new colour. I rest the yarn over the hook.

Then pinch the ends to create a loop.

Then pull the new colour loop through the last 2 loops on the hook to complete the double crochet stitch. Note how the top of the double crochet stitch is still the original colour and the new loop on your hook is the new colour you want to use!

Now you continue on with your pattern – chain 3 to build up to the height of the double crochet stitches you want to work and double crochet across!

I usually weave in my ends as I go – but you can wait and do this at the very end if you prefer.