Crochet Lessons & Tips

The hook is usually inserted from front to back, under the two top loops of the stitch being crocheted into. If the hook is inserted into only one of the top loops, there will be a horizontal line of yarn over each crochet stitch. Being able to carry colors is essential for tapestry crochet, allowing a two-or more color design to be worked without floats on the back. The concealed colors make the finished piece more durable. The carrying technique enables knots and loose ends to be eliminated as well. To carry a yarn, first, lay the additional yarn over the top two loops of the stitches being crocheted into, leaving a one-inch tail sticking out of the back. The carried yarn can be kept in place with the thumb of the left hand.

Single crochet across the row as usual, keeping the carried yarn on top of the loops, crocheting under and over it. If done correctly, the carried yarn will not be visible from either the front or the back of the work. After the row has been completed, the one inch end (that you left sticking out of the back of the piece) can be snipped off. More than one color yarn can be carried at the same time for a multicolored tapestry crochet motif. Each yarn carried will slightly increase the height of the single crochet stitch. For a consistent appearance, start to carry the yarn at the beginning of a project, even if there will not be any color changes for a few rows.