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Tapestry Crochet

Tapestry crochet is a technique that allows you to change colors in the middle of the row or round without needing to start a new yarn each time.  It also prevents floats on the back of your piece.  So, your project will look neat and clean on the front and back.

Back

Floats are un-worked strands of yarn on the back of colorwork pieces.  They occur when 2 or more colors of yarn are used to create a pattern and the un-worked yarn isn't covered by other stitches.

Front

There are several other types of crochet that are basically the same as tapestry crochet with just a few variations. A few of these are Mosaic Crochet, Colorwork, and Fair Isle Crochet and Jacquard.  Graph crochet also refers to Tapestry crochet because most patterns for tapestry are made on graphs. 

It’s really just like regular crochet, usually single crochet.  The difference is that one or more colors of yarn are carried through the stitches while another color is being worked.

It actually gives your work a bit of a woven look, which is pretty awesome.  It is also the method that most colorwork patterns are worked. 

I usually start carrying my second (or third) yarn right from the beginning of my work.  This way, all my stitches will be the same size throughout my work, which will keep my gauge consistent as well.

Patterns for tapestry crochet can be made on grids or graph paper.  They can be in color or black and white.

Patterns can also be made using letter graphs.  There are different alphabetic letters that represents each color in the pattern.  They are read just like graphs are, left to right, and the right to left and so on.

Do you want to work a swatch?  Let’s give it a try.  

Tapestry Crochet Sampler

Here is the letter graph pattern and the color graph pattern for the swatch we’ll be working.

Letter Graph Pattern
Graph Pattern

Start with your first color, Color A,

Chain 21.

Row 1

Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across.   Ch 1.    Turn.

Remember you’ll be “carrying” the second color, Color B, through your stitches.  Here's how:

Hold Color B along the top of the stitches from the previous row or chain and work over the top of it.  It’s very much like you would do when you work over the ends of your yarn except this time you’re working toward the skein and not the end.

Row 2


In Color A work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches. (Remember to carry Color B.)

On the last step of the 4th sc, switch to Color B, just like you would if you were switching colors in regular crochet.



Work 1 sc in the next 4 stitches, using Color B and carrying Color A.


Switch to Color A.  (Remember to switch colors in our 4th stitch.)

Work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches.  (Color A -carrying B)

Switch to Color B.



Work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches.

Switch to Color A.

Work 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches.

Switch to Color B.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Row 3

*Work 1 sc in the next 4 stitches.

Switch to Color A.

Work 1 sc in the next 4 stitches.

Switch to Color B.*

Repeat * to *.

Work 1 sc in each of the last 4 stitches.

Switch to Color A.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Row 4

*Work 1 sc in the next 4 stitches.

Switch to Color B.

Work 1 sc in the next 4 stitches.

Switch to Color A.*

Repeat * to *.

Work 1 sc in the last 4 stitches.

DO NOT CHANGE COLORS HERE.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Rows 5 - 6

Repeat Row 4.

At the end of Row 6, switch to Color B.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Row 7


Repeat Row 3, but, do not change colors at the end of the row.

Rows 8 - 9

Repeat Row 7.

 At the end of Row 9 switch to Color A.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Rows 10 - 11


Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 12


Sc across in Color A.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

That is tapestry crochet.  It’s Easy, isn’t it.  Now you can use this technique just about anywhere that you’re changing colors often. 

You can even try making your own pattern on some graph paper, like my color graph pattern for the swatch we worked.  Each square on the paper = 1 sc in your work.  You can even create words this way!

Use colored pencils to see exactly what your pattern will look like before you start.

Have fun and come back and share your projects and patterns that you create!

Show Me What You're Working On!

Do you have a project that you're working on or have you tried a new stitch? I'd love it hear all about it. Please take a minute to share it with me. I'll add it right here to this page and you'll have your own spot on Crochet-Basics.com.

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