Annie's Attic - Color Changes and Graphs

Color Changes and Graphs

Donna Scott

When working color changes, the main objective is to create a piece that contains different colors, yet looks smooth and consistent as though made with one continuous strand of yarn. To achieve this effect, all your yarns should be the same weight to prevent puckering.

Smooth and accurate loose and holey

The sample on the left shows color changing done smoothly and accurately. The sample on the right is too loose and holey with yarn colors bleeding into other color sections.

When using more than one color in a project, the unused color is carried along the back of the work unless the instructions tell you otherwise. To keep the elastic quality of crochet, be sure to maintain the proper tension when carrying yarn across the back. Strands that are too loose will snag and pull, too tight will result in puckered work and distorted stitches. For garments that need to stretch more than others, carry the unused color more loosely.

Simple and easy
The simplest method of changing colors is to fasten off the first color and join on the second color. This method works well when you have large areas worked in one color.

Another easy way is to change colors at the end of the row or round. When you complete a stitch, the last loop on the hook is the beginning of the next stitch. Color changes should be made in the last step of the last stitch of that row.

Whether you carry or drop unused colors within a row or round depends on the design. To work a pattern with two or more colors that alternate every few stitches, a technique called stranding is used in which the unused color is dropped to the back of the work and carried along until needed.

Sections of color
Some patterns include sections that cover several stitches between color changes. One method of handling this type of color change is to work over the unused yarn with each stitch. This leaves no loose strands in the back, but will double the thickness of the item and the unused color may show through on the right side. To avoid extra thickness, work over the dropped color every second or third stitch instead of every stitch.

Only stitches apart
For color changes that are several stitches apart, use a ball of yarn or bobbin wound with the new color for each color section. As you work, each new color is picked up from the nearest stitch of the same color on the row or round before to avoid leaving so many loose strands across the back. A technique called twisting may be used by picking up the new color from under the first color. This twists the strands together to avoid forming a hole.

Box it up
For multiple sections of colors, place the yarn balls or skeins on a tray or in a box in the order in which they will be used. As you complete the first row, turn your work as you normally would, bringing the box around to the front. Crochet the next row, turning the box to the back to coincide with turning the crocheted piece.

Following color graphs
Instructions for color change designs are often published in graph form. Graphs are drawn with the right side of the work facing you and are read from bottom to top, right to left on odd-numbered rows, left to right on even-numbered rows, each square representing one stitch.

The graph is usually accompanied by a chart or key identifying the stitches and colors needed. A graph for a design that will be repeated in the work may show only one repeat of the design. The written instructions of the pattern usually give the first rows and stitches to position the design. From there it will tell you to work according to graph, giving any shaping or special instructions as needed. •••