Here is a quick picture tutorial to show you how to carry yarn when crocheting. This technique is useful when doing colourwork or tapestry crochet, especially when there is a large block of one colour followed by a change to the other colour. Depending on your tension, this may change the shape of your project as some stitches can pull on the inside of your piece. I have several crochet mug patterns done in the tapestry technique and, as these pieces are small and filled with stuffing, it is not always necessary to carry the yarn. However, if you find your piece has a strange shape, your stitches are pulling from the inside, or that you prefer a cleaner finish, this is a useful tip.
For example, the piece on the left was done without carrying the yarn while the yarn was carried throughout the colourwork on the piece on the right. If the tension is too tight on the piece on the right, it will deform the intended shape of the finished piece.
Depending on your pattern, I suggest never going over 3 to 5 stitches without carrying your yarn. For example, if you have a large block of 25 stitches in colour A before you change back to colour B. You would carry colour B around 5 times in that block. Here is how to carry the yarn:
Please note that for the pictures below, the pattern indicated to crochet in the back loops only. Do follow the instructions of your pattern.
Step 1: Insert your hook in the next stitch with colour A.
Step 2: Bring the yarn of colour B over the yarn of colour A.
Step 3: Finish your stitch as usual by yarning over with colour A and pulling through the two loops.
Completed stitch:
Inside view when carrying yarn:
There you have it. I hope this was helpful to learn how to carry yarn when crocheting. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And please tag me in your creations on Instagram @baubles_and_yarn. To see more of my tips and tutorials please click here.
Until next time, happy crocheting!