Are you ready to branch out and start changing colors in corner to corner crochet? Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be changing graphghan colors like a pro. Let me teach you how!
5 Tips for Changing Colors in Corner to Corner Crochet
We’ve got changing colors in regular crochet conquered; changing colors in corner to corner crochet, however, is handled slightly differently. C2C graphghans can either use written patterns or chart patterns, or sometimes even both! As a visual person, I find it easiest to cross the blocks off using a chart as I go. Totally a personal preference thing; neither way is right or wrong.
I do have 5 rules I follow for changing colors in corner to corner crochet graphghans. I will go into details of each below, and be sure to catch the video at the bottom of this post to see them all in action…
- Use the 5:2 chain method for Corner to Corner (instead of the 6:3)
- Change colors with the slip stitch instead of traditional color change method
- Don’t “carry” the yarn too far
- Bobbins are your best friend
- Do not weave in ends until at least three rows past that point
Use the 5:2 chain ratio for Corner to Corner (c2c)
When crocheting a corner to corner afghan, you can either chain 5 to start a new row OR you can chain 6. Depending on which method you choose, you’ll then either chain 2 to start each new block in that row or chain 3. I always use the chain 5 and 2 respectively, it helps to keep the holes in between blocks smaller which in turn helps to keep the color changes less conspicuous. To see a more detailed explanation of the 5:2 vs 6:3 you’ll want to read this post, and watch this video.
Change colors with the slip stitches
I know I am going against my own cardinal rule of changing colors here, but when crocheting a corner to corner I change colors with the slip stitch instead of in the last pull-through as normal. Does it really matter? Probably not. See exactly what I mean in the video below.
Don’t carry the yarn too far
Don’t shoot the messenger here but I have found that if I “carry” my yarn too many blocks away, it creates a sloppier/more puckered look than when I clip and reattach my yarn. YES, it creates more ends to weave in, but it also creates a more seamless color change and a prettier overall finished effect. I personally carry my yarn no more than one block’s width away (either direction). Unless you have A TON of color changes, this doesn’t really add that much more work and it is worth it to me.
I have also found that if I reattach the yarn instead of carrying, I am able to go back and tighten those ends after a few rows which helps to not only keep everything uniform but to clean up the color changes as well. You can not do that if you carry the yarn more than one block’s width away; it is simply woven in and at that point and it is what it is.
Bobbins are your best friend
When creating a corner to corner graphghan, you absolutely need to have some sort of system to keep your yarn clean while turning your work. Ain’t nobody got time for yarn barf!
To combat the ever-present threat of yarn-rat-nest, I use Industrial Clips like these as bobbins. When finished with a particular color, and before clipping your yarn, look ahead on your chart. See how many blocks you will need of that color when you come back up the next row. For example, if, by reading my chart, I know that I will need enough yarn for 6 blocks when coming back, I can wind enough yarn around that bobbin to get me those six blocks. Then I simply clip the bobbin onto my work and keep on keepin’ on. Watch the video below to see how I use them.
Tip: Do a test block and see approximately how many inches you’ll need to wind around your bobbin per block. Simply crochet one block and then rip it out and measure how much yarn you used. This will give you a better guess when winding those bobbins!
Weave in ends as you go (but not too soon)
When crocheting a corner to corner graphghan with many color changes, yarn ends get in the way. I find it is less cumbersome to turn my work if I go back and weave in ends as I go. That being said, I have also found that if I weave in too close to my working yarn (where I currently am working on the graph/chart) it may cause my blocks to become too tight, warping the overall effect.
My general rule of thumb is to not weave in any ends that are within two – three rows of the row I am currently working. When weaving in those ends, I like to go back and forth with my yarn needle at least twice, and go through the fibers of the yarn as well. I use the same method as when I weave in regular yarn ends, keeping like colors with like colors. More on How to Weave in Yarn Ends.
Do you have a rule/method for changing colors in corner to corner that I may not be aware of or did not list here? Be sure to drop me a comment so I can test it out too!
More crochet tips and tutorials:
How to Change Colors in Crochet
3 Ways to Add a Border in Crochet
How to Crochet a Corner to Corner (C2C) Throw + Video Tutorial
Crochet WIP Bag (Work In Progress) Using Corner to Corner
How to Crochet the Invisible Decrease for Amigurimi Crochet
Create Planned Yarn Color Transitions in Crochet
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