Learn how to change colors in Tunisian crochet, using a simple color chart to crochet a small swatch.
Notes
Have a quick read of these notes and then scroll down for the photo and video tutorials!
This tutorial assumes that you are familiar with the basics of Tunisian crochet and the Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss). If you are brand new to Tunisian crochet, you can learn the basics of how to Tunisian crochet here.
Materials
Yarn: Any! I used Lion Brand Heartland, which is a #4/Medium/Worsted weight yarn.
Hook: Any hook that is appropriate for your chosen yarn. (With Tunisian crochet, you generally want to go up a couple of sizes from the recommended hook size.)
For my swatch, I used an 8mm/L-11 hook (the recommended hook for my yarn was 6mm/J-10).
Note: You do not need a special Tunisian crochet hook for this tutorial. But, if you are looking to invest in a Tunisian crochet hook set, I absolutely love this Addi bamboo set.
Colorwork Notes
- Chart: Start at the bottom-right corner and work right-to-left. Each square on the chart corresponds to 1 Tss.
- Written Instructions: When using the written instructions, for each block of color in a row, the instruction is written as follows:
- (COLOR) stitch COUNT
- e.g. (C1) Tss 10
General Notes
- Stitch counts are given as “loops on hook” in [ ] at the end of each row.
- First loop on the hook is not counted as a stitch.
- End stitch: This is the last stitch on a Forward Pass (FwP). You will always work this stitch through both loops. In this tutorial the end stitch is written separately as “work end st.”
Abbreviations (US Terms)
ch = chain
st = stitch
Tss = Tunisian Simple Stitch
FwP = Forward Pass
RetP = Return Pass
C1 = Color 1
C2 = Color 2
How to change colors in Tunisian crochet – Video Tutorial
How to change colors in Tunisian crochet – Photo Tutorial
How to Change Colors in Tunisian Crochet
In this tutorial, you will learn how to change colors in Tunisian crochet.
Materials
- Yarn: any! I used Lion Brand Heartland, which is a #4/Medium/Worsted weight yarn.
Tools
- Hook: Any hook that is appropriate for your chosen yarn. (With Tunisian crochet, you generally want to go up a couple of sizes from the recommended hook size.)
- For my swatch, I used an 8mm/L-11 hook (the recommended hook for my yarn was 6mm/J-10).
Instructions
Foundation Row
With C1, work foundation row.
Row 2: Forward Pass
- Still using C1, work in Tss as per pattern (in this case Tss 7).
- Insert hook into next vertical bar, yarn over C2 (new bobbin) and pull through.
- Color change made.
- Using C2, work end st.
Row 2: Return Pass
e. Yarn over C2 and pull through.
f. Work RetP until one C2 loop remains.
g. At the back of your work, pull C2 strand to the right.
h. Yarn over C1 and pull through 2 loops.
i. Color change made.
j. Completed RetP with C1.
Row 3
- With C1, work a Tss in each st until you need to make the next color change (in this case Tss 6).
- Insert hook into next vertical bar, yarn over C2) and pull through.
- Color change made.
- Using C2, Tss 1, work end st.
- Work RetP as per Row 2.
Row 4
(C1) Tss 5, (C2) Tss 3, work end st. RetP as per Row 2. 
Row 5
(C1) Tss 5, (C2) Tss 3, work end st. RetP as per Row 2.
Row 6
(C1) Tss 4, (C2) Tss 4, work end st. RetP as per Row 2.
Row 7
(C1) Tss 3, (C2) Tss 5, work end st. RetP as per Row 2.
Row 8
FwP: (C1) Tss 2, (C2) Tss 6, work end st.
As Row 9 will start with C2, you need to change colors as follows at the end of the RetP of Row 8.
- RetP as per Row 2.
- Stop when 2 C1 loops remain on hook.
- Yarn over C2 and pull through.
- Color changed made.
Row 9
With C2, Tss 8, work end st. RetP.
Bind off row
- Starting in the second vertical bar, *insert hook into vertical bar, yo and pull through both loops on hook.
- Repeat from * across until 1 loop remains.
- Cut yarn, pull through final loop to fasten off. All done!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial!
I love seeing all of your projects; be sure to tag me on Instagram (you can find me here: @nedandmimi), and use #nedandmimi to show off your Tunisian crochet 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Sarah