Adding a new color to a crochet blanket can take your design from simple to spectacular! Whether you want to make a colorful striped blanket, a solid blanket with a different border, or add shaping and new colors for more intricate patterns, it’s easy to change up your crochet blanket by switching yarns. With some planning and practice, you can master color changes and create beautiful, unique crochet blankets.
Plan Your Color Changes
Before diving in, take some time to plan out your color scheme and where you want to switch colors. Here are some tips:
- Make a sketch or chart of your planned blanket, marking where each color will go.
- Pick colors that go well together. Choose shades that complement or contrast each other.
- Decide how many rows each color will have. Stripes can alternate evenly or vary in thickness.
- Figure out any shaping or pattern repeats and how color changes will intersect.
Having a roadmap for your color sequence will make adding new colors much easier as you crochet.
Prepare Your Yarn Supply
Before starting, wind separate balls or skeins of each color you plan to use. This prevents tangled messes! Have your colors in order from start to finish.
Ways to Organize Yarn Colors:
- Wind each color onto a separate ball or butterfly.
- Use rubber bands to group skeins into color order.
- Designate different bags or bins for organized colors.
- Purchase or wind yarn cakes in project order.
Properly prepared yarn makes carrying and switching colors a breeze.
Technique for Changing Colors
When you are ready to move from one yarn color to another, follow these steps:
- Work final stitch of old color to end of row.
- Drop old color, leaving a 6 inch tail. Pick up new color.
- Work first stitch of new color. Continue on with new color.
- Later, weave yarn tails into blanket back to hide.
It’s that easy! The yarn tails allow you to securely join your old and new colors without any gaps.
Tips for Smooth Color Transitions:
- Crochet over yarn tails as you go to conveniently hide them.
- Avoid color changes at edge stitches. Switch colors 1-2 stitches in.
- Be consistent with color changes to maintain pattern.
- Double check each row to ensure you change colors at the right place.
With practice, you’ll be able to effortlessly add new colors wherever you desire.
Special Techniques for Colorwork
For more advanced colorwork like stripes, checkerboards, or color blocked patterns, use these special techniques:
Carrying Colors
With this method, you crochet with one color while carrying the unused color(s) along behind stitches. To switch colors, simply drop the old color and pick up the new one from where you’ve carried it up the row.
Intarsia Crochet
For designs with isolated blocks of color, use intarsia crochet. Instead of carrying colors across large areas, you work separate areas in individual colors, twisting unused yarns around each other at color changes to avoid gaps.
Tapestry Crochet
This technique allows you to create intricate pictorial colorwork by crocheting over multiple strands of different colored yarns in the same stitch. Unused yarns are carried across the backside.
Practicing these methods opens up many possibilities for interesting color patterns!
Achieving Clean Color Transitions
When adding a new yarn color, you want the transition between old and new colors to be as clean and seamless as possible. Here are tips for clean color changes:
- Work stitches tightly in the new color for the first 2-3 rows to prevent holes where colors meet.
- Avoid color changes directly on edges. Move in at least 1-2 stitches to hide knots.
- Use yarn tails at least 6 inches long. Weave in tails to secure joins.
- Be consistent on every row change. Switch colors in same stitch pattern each time.
- Pay attention to yarn tension. Keep even tension for uniform stitches.
With practice and these tips, you’ll be able to crochet perfect color transitions for a polished finished blanket.
Creative Uses for Color Changes
Changing yarn colors opens up endless creative possibilities for your crochet projects. Here are some fun ways to add flair with new colors:
Striped Blankets
Play with different width stripes and alternate colors in repeating or random patterns. Wide stripes can be eye-catching and bold. Narrow stripes add subtle detail.
Borders and Edgings
Finish your blanket with a border in a contrasting color for a pop of definition. Try stripes, ruffles, scalloped edges or looped fringe.
Color Blocking
Use shape and color blocking to add patches, rectangles, squares and more for interest and design. Mix colors and textures.
Picture Designs
Plan out designs like animals, flowers, landscapes or abstract shapes. Use intarsia crochet to get clean color changes for your “picture.”
Yarn Dyeing
For complete customization, hand dye your own yarn in endless colors. Use variegated dyed yarns for painterly effects.
Mixing up your yarn color palette can transform the entire look of your crochet blanket. The possibilities are infinite for one-of-a-kind designs!
Troubleshooting Color Change Problems
When working color changes, you may encounter some common problems. Here are tips on troubleshooting:
Gaps Between Color Transitions
- Work tightly over join and weave in ends securely to close gaps.
- Avoid changing colors on edge/turning stitches which are loose.
- Use longer yarn tails (8+ inches) when changing colors.
- Check that unused yarns are carried loosely without pulling.
Inconsistent Color Patterning
- Use stitch markers to note color change positions.
- Follow charts closely and check work frequently.
- Count rows between color changes for accuracy.
- Take time re-reading instructions to understand pattern.
Loose/Uneven Stitches
- Maintain consistent yarn tension, especially when carrying multiple strands.
- Check that unused yarns are loose across WS but not looped.
- Work tightly in new colors for a few rows to mesh stitches.
- Block work evenly when finished to smooth uneven areas.
A bit of troubleshooting as you work can prevent headaches and rip-outs down the road. Don’t hesitate to ask other crocheters for help and advice!
Adding Color to a Completed Blanket
What if you’ve already finished a blanket but want to give it a punch of color? You can add borders, stripes, motifs, or colorwork after the fact!
Ways to Add Color to an Existing Blanket:
- Work a border around the entire edge in a new color.
- Sew or crochet stripe(s) across the width or length.
- Attach colorful granny squares, flowers or other applique shapes.
- Add a hanging fringe or pom poms in contrasting shades.
- Embroider designs, letters or patterns in new hues.
With some creativity, you can over dye, embellish or accent your creation with beautiful pops of color.
Conclusion
The possibilities are endless when it comes to adding fresh new colors to crochet blankets. With some planning and practice using color change techniques, you can create show-stopping designs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and play with different combinations until you achieve a look you love. The fun is in creating unique, colorful blankets you’ll treasure for years to come. So grab your hook and a heap of beautiful yarn colors to mix things up in your next crochet project!
| Color Change Method | When to Use | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying Colors | When switching between 2 or more colors frequently across rows. | Crochet with one color while carrying the unused strands behind stitches until needed again. |
| Intarsia Crochet | For isolated large sections of different colors. | Work separate color areas individually, twisting unused yarns at color changes. |
| Tapestry Crochet | For intricate pictorial colorwork and designs. | Crochet over multiple color strands in each stitch and carry unused yarns. |
| Yarn Color Organization | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wind into separate balls |
|
|
| Group skeins with rubber bands |
|
|
| Designated bags/bins |
|
|
