How to Change Colour in C2C Crochet
How to Change Colour in C2C Crochet
Changing colours is what brings a C2C crochet picture to life, but it can also be one of the parts that beginners find confusing. Knowing exactly when and how to change colour will help your colour changes look neat and will make your C2C projects much easier to manage.
In this guide, I'll show you how to change colour in C2C crochet, when to cut your yarn, when you can leave it attached, and how to use bobbins when you're working with lots of different colours.
Whether you're making a simple C2C project or a detailed picture with lots of colour changes, these tips will help you feel more confident.
When Do You Change Colour in C2C Crochet?
Your C2C pattern tells you which colour to use for each square or block. When the next block needs to be a different colour, you need to change colour.
The easiest way to make a neat colour change is to change colour during the last stitch of the current block.
You don't completely finish the last stitch with the old colour. Instead, you use the new colour to complete the final step of the stitch.
This means that when you start the next block, your yarn is already the correct colour.
How to Change Colour in C2C Crochet
Changing colour in C2C crochet is easier than it may seem.
Work your C2C block as usual until you reach the last stitch. Before completing the final step of the stitch, drop the old colour and pick up the new colour. Use the new colour to complete the stitch.
You can then continue crocheting the next block with the new colour.
This creates a clean colour change without having to cut your yarn after every single block.
The important thing to remember is:
Change colour during the last stitch of the previous block, not after you have already started the new block.
Once you've done this a few times, it will become much more natural.
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| Do not complete the last stitch with old colour |
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| Complete last stitch with new colour |
New square finished in new colour
Changing Colour Between C2C Blocks
When changing colour between blocks, you usually change colour when joining the next block.
I recommend looking at the next block in your pattern before you finish the current one. This gives you a moment to prepare the new colour instead of having to stop and figure it out at the last second.
This is especially helpful when you're working on a detailed C2C pattern with lots of small colour changes.
When You'll Need the Colour Again in the Next Row
Sometimes you may need the same colour again in the next row of your C2C pattern. In that case, you don't always have to cut the yarn.
Instead, you can let the yarn hang where you finish using it and pick it up again in the next row when you reach the same area.
For example, if you finish using the pink yarn near the middle of one row, but you need pink again in the row above, simply leave the pink yarn hanging. When you reach that section in the next row, pick up the pink yarn again and continue crocheting.
This can save you from having to cut and reattach the yarn, which means fewer ends to weave in later.
Just make sure the loose strand isn't pulled too tightly. You want to leave enough slack for the yarn to reach the next row comfortably without pulling on your stitches.
This technique is especially useful when the same colour sections are close together from one row to the next. If there is too much distance between where you dropped the yarn and where you need it again, you'll need to cut the yarn and start it again in the new section.
What Should You Do With the Old Colour?
You don't always have to cut your yarn when changing colour.
If you know you'll need the same colour again in the next row or just a few squares away in the same row, you can leave the yarn attached and pick it up again when you need it. This can save you from having lots of yarn ends to weave in later.
You don't want to carry your yarn across large sections of your project.
Long strands of yarn on the back can make your project bulky. They can also show through the stitches, especially when you're working with a light-coloured yarn.
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| Here the blue yarn is carried under the yellow. |
If you won't need that colour again for a while, it's usually better to cut the yarn and start it again when you need it.
When Should You Cut the Yarn?
A simple rule is:
If the next colour change is only a short distance away, you may be able to carry or leave the yarn attached. If the colour won't be used again for a while, cut the yarn.
There isn't always one correct answer. It depends on your pattern and how far the colour needs to travel.
For example, if you're making a C2C blanket with a small flower in the middle, you don't want to carry a strand of the flower colour all the way across the blanket just because you'll need that colour again later.
In that situation, cutting the yarn and starting a new strand will usually give you a much neater result.
Use Bobbins for Lots of Colour Changes
If your C2C pattern requires lots of colour changes, I highly recommend using bobbins.
A bobbin is simply a small amount of yarn wound into a manageable ball.
You can make your own bobbins by winding some yarn around your fingers and then securing the end with a hairpin, stitch marker, or another small clip.
Make a separate bobbin for each colour section you need.
Bobbins can make a huge difference when you're working on a detailed C2C design because you don't have to carry the same ball of yarn across your entire project.
They are especially useful for small sections of different colours, like the faces in most of my designs.
Personally, I especially like using bobbins when I'm working on C2C patterns with lots of small colour sections. It takes a few extra minutes to prepare the bobbins, but it can save a lot of time later because the yarn stays much more manageable.
How Many Bobbins Do You Need?
The number of bobbins you need depends on your pattern.
You don't necessarily need a separate bobbin for every colour in the entire project.
Instead, think about how many separate sections of each colour you're working with at the same time.
For example, if you have one large section of blue, you can simply use your main ball of blue yarn.
But if you have several small blue sections separated by other colours, using several smaller bobbins can make things much easier.
The goal is to prevent your yarn from having to travel across large parts of your project.
A Tip for Keeping Your Yarn Tidy
C2C projects can become surprisingly messy when you're working with many colours.
Try to keep your different yarn balls and bobbins separated and organised as you work.
I like to place each colour in a slightly different position around my project. This makes it easier to see which yarn belongs to which section and helps prevent the strands from getting tangled.
It's also a good idea to stop every now and then and gently untangle your yarn. It is much easier to fix a small tangle than a huge one!
I've also seen another crocheter attach her bobbins to the blanket with bobby pins whenever she wasn't using them. This is a simple trick that can help keep your bobbins from getting mixed together.
Common Mistakes When Changing Colour
Colour changes can take a little practice. Here are some of the most common mistakes to watch out for.
Changing Colour Too Late
One of the most common mistakes is changing colour after you've already started the new block.
Try to change colour during the final step of the last stitch of the previous block. This way, the new block starts in the correct colour.
Pulling the New Colour Too Tightly
After changing colour, try not to pull the new yarn too tightly.
If you pull too hard, the stitch can become smaller and your C2C blocks may look uneven. Keep your tension consistent with the rest of your project.
Carrying Yarn Too Far
Carrying yarn across a short distance can be useful, but avoid carrying it across large sections of your project.
Long strands can make the back bulky and may show through lighter colours. If the next time you need that colour is far away, cutting the yarn is usually the better option.
Forgetting to Check the Next Block
I always recommend checking the next block in your pattern before finishing the current one. This only takes a second, but it makes colour changes much easier because you already know which colour you need next.
Don't Worry If Your Colour Changes Aren't Perfect
Colour changes can feel a little awkward when you're first learning C2C crochet.
Your first few colour changes may not look perfect, and that's completely normal. With practice, you'll quickly get a feel for when to change colour and how much yarn to leave attached.
Don't be afraid to undo a stitch or two if you notice that you've changed colour at the wrong moment. It's much easier to fix a small mistake now than to discover several rows later that a colour change is in the wrong place.
Once you get the hang of it, even C2C patterns with lots of colour changes become much easier to make.
FAQ
Do I have to cut my yarn every time I change colour?
No. You can leave your yarn attached when you'll need that colour again soon. However, avoid carrying yarn across large sections of your project.
Can I carry yarn across the back of my C2C project?
Yes, but only across relatively short distances. Long strands can make the back of your project bulky and may show through your stitches.
How many bobbins should I use?
Use as many as you need to keep your separate colour sections manageable. You don't necessarily need one bobbin for every colour change in your pattern.
Why does my colour change look uneven?
This can happen if you change colour too late, pull the new yarn too tightly, or use a different tension when making the colour change. Try to keep your tension consistent.
Are bobbins necessary for C2C crochet?
No. Bobbins are completely optional. They are simply a useful way to keep your yarn organised when you're working with many colour changes.
Can I use this method for any C2C pattern?
Yes. The same basic colour-changing technique can be used for C2C blankets, cushions, wall hangings, scarves, and other C2C projects.
Final Thoughts
If you're new to C2C crochet, you can also read my guide on How to Read a C2C Crochet Pattern before starting your project.
Beginner Guides:
You can find my Free C2C Patterns here:
© Kate's Cozy Crochet
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