Colorwork

Most of the granny square patterns use a single color for each row or round, with the new color being joined at the end of a row or round. Tapestry and intarsia designs involve using multiple colors across the row. In tapestry crochet, the unworked color is carried behind the row and woven in. Intarsia crochet features large and sometimes irregularly shaped sections of different colors, and each section is worked with a separate ball of yarn.

Changing color on a row

When working the last stitch of the old color, omit the final stage (the last yarn over) to leave the stitch incomplete. Wrap the new yarn over the hook and draw it through all of the loops on the hook to complete the stitch. The new yarn will form the top loops of the next stitch in the new color.

Changing color on a round

Method 1: When joining the last stitch of the round to the first stitch using a slip stitch, work the joining slip stitch using the new color. Method 2 (above): Insert the hook where required and draw up a loop of the new color, leaving a 4in (10cm) tail. Work the specified number of starting chains. Continue with the new yarn.

Tapestry crochet

1 Change to the new color (pink) in the usual way. Continue following the pattern, carrying the unused yarn (blue) along the top of the previous row at the back of the work and crocheting over it. After the next color change, continue to carry and work over the unused yarn in the same way.

2 On the next and all other rows, insert the hook under the carried yarn and into the stitch to lock the carried yarn in place.

Intarsia crochet

Use a separate ball or bobbin of yarn for each area of color. If the same color is used twice across the row, you will need two separate balls of it.

1 Follow the pattern, changing colors where indicated in the usual way and dropping the unused yarns to the wrong side of the work. At each color change on subsequent rows, make sure that you loop the new yarn around the old one on the wrong side of the work to prevent holes.

2 Take extra care when dealing with all the yarn ends on a piece of intarsia. Carefully weave each end into an area of crochet worked in the same color so that it will not be visible on the right side.