Awhile back I finally jumped into colorwork and started learning about it. Recently I’ve gotten into Tapestry Crochet, which is a beautiful method for changing colors! (I mostly love it because you’re left with very few ends to weave in!)

And Tapestry Crochet is not too hard. It is really very simple to learn, so in this post I want to give you a beginner’s guide to tapestry crochet!

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Before we get started, let me show you a few examples of Tapestry crochet.

Below is a tapestry crochet design I am currently working on! Can you tell what it is?

As you can see, color is EVERYTHING in Tapestry crochet! The possibilities are endless!

So, there’s a couple things you need to know before we get into the basics of this technique.

First, Tapestry crochet can be worked both in rows and in rounds. Personally, I prefer to work it in rounds (like the cactus basket above) because the overall result is much cleaner. However, rows are also possible.

Also, this post does not cover every single detail of tapestry crochet. We will be going over the basic things you need to know in order to start your first project. We will go over how carry colors and how to change colors.

And, I will be doing some follow-up posts! In the coming days I’ll go over other details, such as how to read a tapestry crochet chart, and other details you’ll want to know! Be sure to subscribe to my email list to see these posts when they’re published.

All right, lets begin!

How to Carry Colors

Okay, this is one of the most important elements of tapestry crochet. Because of this technique, you will only have a few ends to weave in when your project is done!

Basically, whenever you aren’t using a color, you will crochet over it with your working color. Follow the picture tutorial below:

As you can see, the orange yarn is hidden within the tan stitches!

Basically, whenever you’re not using a color, you will hide it in this way. Then you’ll pick it up again when you’re ready to switch colors. Learn how to do the color switch by reading on below!

How to Change Colors

This is probably the most important step in Tapestry crochet.

First, begin a regular single crochet stitch with your working color (in the pictures, the working color is tan.) Insert hook into next stitch, YO, draw up a loop with working color.

Now, drop the working yarn and pick up the new color. Finish the stitch you started with this new color—YO, draw through 2 loops.

As you can see in the picture below, we have a tan stitch, with an orange top loop. Now you will be continuing with the orange, and hiding, or “carrying” the tan within the orange stitches.

Below, I have changed colors and continued with the orange. As you can see, the color change is completely seamless.

These are the 2 most basic principles in Tapestry crochet! Now that you know how to carry colors and change colors, you have a great foundation to start this technique. As I said before, however, there are some more “ins and outs” that everyone should know about tapestry crochet.

Now you know some basics of tapestry crochet…but there’s still more to learn! I have a follow up post about tapestry crochet that talks about some other secrets you need to know. Find that post here!

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I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to help!

To view all of my tutorials, click HERE. 

Happy Crocheting!

— Rachel

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The inspiration for this shawl came kind of spontaneously. I knew I wanted to use up my Stroll Gradient yarn, so I started a shawl. As I crocheted, the design just flowed out! The great thing about this shawl is that it is very easily adjustable. You can make it as small or as big as you want! Plus, it only takes one skein of yarn to make! Keep reading to find out more about the beautiful yarn I used.

The Yarn

Okay, so lets talk about the yarn. Like I said, I used Knit Picks Stroll Gradient. This is an absolutely gorgeous yarn. It is 75% superwash merino wool, which makes it wonderfully soft and squishy. Plus, it comes in a bunch of beautiful colorways! Each ball has three complimenting colors that fade into each each other. I used the color called spacewalk. As you can tell, it is a lovely combination of blues and purples.

Ready to make this shawl for your own wardrobe? Here are the instructions!

Wave Shawl

 By Desert Blossom Crafts

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Notes:

1. Shawl is one large triangular piece. Pattern starts at the tip and is worked outward, with increases along each side edge. 
2. Turn at the end of each row, unless otherwise specified.
3. When turning, ch 3 always counts as first stitch.
4. For a comprehensive list of standard abbreviations, click here

Materials

• Fingering weight yarn, approximately 460 yards total
• Sample yarn: 1 cake of Knit Picks Stroll Gradient
• F/3.75mm hook
• Yarn needle to weave in ends
• Wet Blocking materials (click here for blocking instructions).

Finished Measurements:

This shawl is very easily adjustable. Simply keep repeating the established pattern till it reaches desired size. (More instructions farther down.)

Special Stitches:

V-Stitch: (dc, ch 2, dc) in indicated stitch.

Shell (sh): (5 dc) in indicated stitch

Instructions:

Row 1: Ch 4, 4 dc in 4th ch from hook.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), 4 dc in first dc. Sk 3 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 3: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. Ch 1, v-stitch in between next 2 shells. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 4: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch 1 space) twice. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 5: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) across all ch-1 spaces. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 6-20: Repeat row 5.

Row 21: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 9 times. Sh in next ch-1 space. V-stitch in next ch-1 space. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 8 times. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 22: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 9 times. Ch 2, sk next v-stitch, sh in first dc of next sh. Sk 3 dc, sh in last dc of same sh. Ch 2, sk next v-stitch, v-stitch in next ch-1 space. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 8 times. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 23: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 9 times. Ch 2, sk next v-stitch and next ch 2. Sh in first dc of next sh. Sk 3 dc, sh in next dc. Sk 4 dc, sh in next dc. Ch 2, sk next ch-2 and next v-stitch, v-stitch in next ch-1 space. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 8 times. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 24: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 9 times. Ch 2, sk next v-stitch and next ch 2. Sh in first dc of next sh. (Sk 4 dc, sh in next dc) across all shells. NOTE on last shell, you will only skip 3 dc instead of 4. Ch 2, sk next ch-2 and next v-stitch, v-stitch in next ch-1 space. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 8 times. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 25:  Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 9 times. Ch 2, sk next v-stitch and next ch 2. Sh in first dc of next sh. Sk 3 dc, sh in next dc. (Sk 4 dc, sh in next dc) across all shells. Ch 2, sk next ch 2 and next v-stitch, v-stitch in next ch-1 space. (Ch 1, v-stitch in next ch-1 space) 8 times. Ch 1, sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Row 26-46: Repeat rows 24-25.

To adjust shawl: simply keep repeating row 24-25 until shawl reaches desired length, then work edging below.

Edging, last row: Ch 3, 4 dc in first dc. (Sh in next ch-1 space) across all ch-1 spaces. Sh in next ch-2 space. (Sh in space between next two shells) across all shells. Sh in next ch-2 space. (Sh in next ch-1 space) across all ch-1 spaces. Sk 4 dc, sh in last dc.

Finishing:

Weave in ends, and block using the wet blocking method. 

That’s all there is to it—you’re done!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! I had so much fun designing it! To view more of my free patterns, click here. 

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Happy Crocheting!

© 2021 All rights reserved. You may print this pattern for private use only. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern in any way for any public or commercial use. Your finished items are yours to do with as you wish.

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