Master Tapestry Crochet with this complete guide to Tapestry Crochet. This tapestry crochet tutorial will guide you through all the steps to become a pro with Tapestry Crochet. Before you know it you will be creating crochet color graphic masterpieces!
I recently designed theChasing Diamonds Bagwhich I just adore — it is the perfect “every day” bag with a unique retro chic look!
This bag is a great introduction to tapestry colorwork crochet as it is worked in only 2 different colors of yarn and has just a small section of tapestry crochet. You will be working this bag in the round which will also help with carrying yarn colors by keeping your non-working yarn to the wrong side of the work or inside your bag.
And this guide will help you learn and master this fantastic technique.
What is Tapestry Crochet? Tapestry crochet is the art of working with multiple colors to create graphic designs. Typically you will see most tapestry crochet in simple single crochet stitches. However, it can also be worked in basic common stitches – slip stitch, half double or double crochet stitches as well. The yarn colors you are not currently “working” with are carried along your work and picked up or dropped as indicated in the graph.
This technique can seem intimidating to the beginner but with these tips and tricks it is actually very simple!
If you would like the complete video tutorial for an Intro to Tapestry Crochet video tutorial, scroll down to the bottom of this post or you can find it on YouTube. Be sure to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get notified whenever I post a new video.
How to change colors in Tapestry Crochet:
- Begin carrying all colors you will be working with to begin row. You will be working your single crochet stitches over the non-working yarn colors. This will give your work a consistent thickness throughout the project.
- Keep the carried yarn to the back of your work when working the right side of your work and to the front when working the wrong side. If working in the round, you will always carry in the back of your work.
- Keep your tension even but tight in order to keep the carried yarn colors hidden.
- Change colors in the middle of a stitch. Do not complete the last stitch before a color change — complete the stitch with the new color. Leaving 2 loops on your hook, yarn over and complete the stitch with the new color.
- If you see carried yarn through your stitches from the front, gently pull on the carried yarn before changing colors to tighten the stitches and minimize color “bleed” through.
When working row by row or flat, the way you begin each row in will vary slightly depending on whether you are on the right side or the wrong side of your work.
- On the right side, hold the carried yarnbehindthe work before you crochet over it with the first yarn.
- On the wrong side, hold the carried yarnin frontof your work before crocheting over it.
When you are working in rounds, you will always be working on the right side of the work so you will always have the carried yarn behind your work throughout the project.
How to read Graphs in Tapestry Crochet
- Each block in the above graph would represent 1 single crochet stitch. The color of the block tells you what color that single crochet stitch would be.
- As you can see in the above graph, the numbers on the sides of the chart alternate sides. This is a graph that would be worked flat or row by row for a right handed crocheter. Row 1 is worked from the right towards the left, turn for row 2 and so on back and forth.
- The numbers at the bottom and the top correspond to the number of stitches in the row. Row 1 would have 17 Taupe single crochet stitches. You would make a foundation chain of 18 (17 + 1 for turning ch1). Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work 17 taupe single crochet stitches for row 1. Turn for row 2 and work 8 taupe stitches, 1 aqua stitch and then 8 taupe stitches to finish row 2. Turn. And then continue throughout the graph.
Use the “yarn under” technique instead of the “yarn over”.
Typically when working a single crochet, you would yarn over. Your hook goes under the yarn and you grab the yarn from underneath before pulling through and completing your stitch.
If you use the ”yarn under,” your hooks goesoverthe yarn and grabs the yarn from above it and then pull through. Using this technique will minimize the slant of your work and create a more crisp and professional image.
Would you like to make this coaster? Use the graph provided above with the following instructions:
*This post contains affiliate links. You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase. I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
You may also like the following tutorials at Nana’s Crafty Home!
- Create Your Own Graphs Using Stitch Fiddle Tutorial
- How to Change Colors in Corner to Corner (C2C)
- Lace Clusters Stitch Tutorial
You may also like the following FREE tapestry crochet patterns by Nana’s Crafty Home:
- Gingham Bunny Cuddler free crochet pattern
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas Throw free crochet pattern
- Gingham Sunflower Table Runner free crochet pattern
Tapestry Crochet Diamond Coaster Free Crochet Pattern + Graph
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Taupe (Color T)
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Aqua (Color A)
Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
Tapestry Needle
Approx finished size: 4″ x 4″
Abbreviations
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
Pattern Notes
- Graph is worked in single crochet (sc) tapestry crochet technique. Each pixel of graph corresponds to 1 sc stitch.
- At the end of each row, turn and ch 1. Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Written pattern instructions
To begin with Taupe, ch 18 and start the first row in the second ch from the hook.
At the end of each row, turn and ch 1 (ch 1 does not count as a stitch).
← Row 1 [RS]: T17
→ Row 2 [WS]: T8, A, T8
← Row 3 [RS]: T7, A3, T7
→ Row 4 [WS]: T6, A5, T6
← Row 5 [RS]: T5, A3, T, A3, T5
→ Row 6 [WS]: T4, A2, T5, A2, T4
← Row 7 [RS]: T3, A2, T7, A2, T3
→ Row 8 [WS]: T2, A3, T3, A, T3, A3, T2
← Row 9 [RS]: T, A3, T3, A3, T3, A3, T
→ Row 10 [WS]: T2, A3, T3, A, T3, A3, T2
← Row 11 [RS]: T3, A2, T7, A2, T3
→ Row 12 [WS]: T4, A2, T5, A2, T4
← Row 13 [RS]: T5, A3, T, A3, T5
→ Row 14 [WS]: T6, A5, T6
← Row 15 [RS]: T7, A3, T7
→ Row 16 [WS]: T8, A, T8
← Row 17 [RS]: T17
Once row 17 is complete, do not fasten off. Do not turn!
Round 1: Continue with Color Taupe, ch 1, rotate work to begin working along side of coaster, sc evenly around outside edge, with (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner sp, sl st to 1st st.
Fasten off Color A.
Round 2: With Color B, ch 1, sc in each st working (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner ch 1 sp from previous row, sl st to 1st st.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
