Crochet technique

Tapestry Crochet

Tapestry crochet is a colourwork technique that carries unused yarn colours inside the stitches while working with the active colour. Single crochet stitches encase the floats, so both sides look neat. Colours change on the last yarn over of the stitch before, following a chart square by square.

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Tapestry Crochet project in progress

How to get started with tapestry crochet

  1. Lay the carried colour along the top of the row below.
  2. Sc over the carried strand so it is enclosed inside each stitch.
  3. On the stitch before a colour change, pull up a loop in the current colour.
  4. Yo with the new colour and pull through both loops.
  5. Drop the old colour and carry it along the top of the row.
  6. Check the chart after every colour change and count stitches per colour block.

How do you do tapestry crochet?

Tapestry crochet is done by working single crochet over the unused colour while following a colour chart, switching colours on the final yarn over of the stitch before the change.

Keeping the carried yarn slightly relaxed prevents the fabric from puckering.

How do you stop yarn tangling in tapestry crochet?

Yarn tangles in tapestry crochet when the work is turned the same direction every row. Turning clockwise then counterclockwise on alternate rows untwists the strands.

Working in the round or in one direction only, cutting yarn at row ends, also avoids tangles.

Why does tapestry crochet slant?

Tapestry crochet slants in the round because single crochet stitches lean. Working in the back loop only or using a waistcoat stitch reduces the slant.

Flat pieces worked in rows show much less slant.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between tapestry and intarsia crochet?

Tapestry carries unused yarns inside stitches; intarsia uses separate bobbins without carrying.

Is tapestry crochet stiff?

It is denser than plain sc, which suits bags and baskets.

What stitch is used for tapestry crochet?

Mostly single crochet, sometimes hdc or waistcoat stitch.