TAPESTRY CROCHET TIPS

Quite a few years ago, I made a post about tapestry crochet, in which I explained some of the basics and also gave a few tips. And it was about time I made an update, including the info from that old post and now adding new data I’ve learned about it.

Tapestry crochet is a crochet color work technique, that allows you to crochet with one yarn while carrying one or more additional threads, which are switched to make a print or drawing. The main difference between this and other color work techniques, is that unused color(s) is always wrapped in between working yarn so, there are no floats on either side of the work.

Usually, the first row/round (yes, you can work it back and forth or in the round), is made using main color only and then, you take contrasting color to start with tapestry crochet portion. But this really depends on the project you’re making, because you may find designs that ask for more rows/rounds with one color only and add the second yarn until further ahead.

You will also find that it can be made with more than two colors and with several stitches (single crochet, back loop single crochet, double crochet, split single crochet). All of which I’ve already worked with in several designs. I’ll be covering each one of them and explaining some of its main features.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, WITH SINGLE CROCHET, IN THE ROUND, IN A SPIRAL

This is the one I’ve used most, because I love making bags, and this variant gives a nice combination of a strong weave and closed stitches.

MAIN FEATURES

• Stitches will line up diagonally, one over the other, which is great for more free form and curved drawings.
• A continued design, because there is no beginning or end of rounds with slip stitch, which sometimes leaves a type of seam on the side.
• Creates a strong weave, single crochet is naturally sturdy when worked in the round and carrying a thread in between stitches, makes it even stronger. In many of my patterns, I even carry the second yarn from round 2, even though I will start switching colors some rounds ahead. Because I’ve found that wrapping a second yarn gives extra strength and structure, which may be necessary for a bag or a basket.

DISADVANTAGES

• Not very suitable if you’re looking to draw straight lines, stitches will naturally move over to one side with every round.
• Underlying color can be a little visible, especially when using very contrasting colors or loose crocheting. Try with a smaller hook and the effect will decrease.

Watch the video tutorial which guides you through making a small sample with this variant. And if you feel like trying it, you can also see my Unicorn Coin Purse video below, for actually practicing the technique on a new project.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, WITH SINGLE CROCHET, IN THE ROUND, IN A SPIRAL, WITH MORE THAN 2 COLORS AT A TIME

If you’re looking to include even more color on a project, this is a great choice. It’s practically the same technique as last variation I explained, with the added skill of handling more than two yarns. Maybe, you’ll feel a little intimidated to do this, but believe me, it’s only a matter of practice and results are totally worth the try.

MAIN FEATURES

• Ability to combine more than two colors in one design.
• Stitches will line up diagonally, one over the other, which is great for more free form and curved drawings.
• A continued design, because there is no beginning or end of rounds with slip stitch, which sometimes leaves a type of seam on the side.
• Creates a strong weave, single crochet is naturally sturdy when worked in the round and carrying more threads in between stitches, makes it even stronger. In many of my patterns, I even carry the additional yarns from round 2, even though I will start switching colors some rounds ahead. Because I’ve found that wrapping extra yarns gives extra strength and structure, which may be necessary for a bag or basket.

DISADVANTAGES

• Not very suitable if you’re looking to draw straight lines, stitches will naturally move over to one side with every round.
• Underlying colors will be more visible, because more threads result in a bigger volume to be wrapped. Try with a smaller hook and the effect will decrease.
• You’re managing several threads at a time, keep them as organized as possible to avoid tangles.

Watch the video tutorial which guides you through making a small sample with this variant. Very important to watch for my suggestion on color changes and how to prevent threads from getting tangled. After that, my Limes’ Bag tutorial is a nice clip for you to actually give it a go.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, WITH BACK LOOP SINGLE CROCHET, IN THE ROUND, IN CLOSED ROUNDS

Want to use tapestry for a more geometrical design? This is one to try. By making single crochets in back loop of stitches, these will line up straighter, just compare with regular single crochets and you’ll notice the difference.

MAIN FEATURES

• Stitches will line up straighter, one over the other, which is great for geometrical drawings.
• Closed rounds, which makes it easier to identify beginning/end of rounds.
• Makes it also possible to carry more than one yarn, if you want to create a more colorful design.

DISADVANTAGES

• Closing each round with slip stitch leaves a type of seam on the design, which some may dislike.
• Underlying color can be a little visible, especially when using very contrasting colors or loose crocheting. Try with a smaller hook and the effect will decrease.

Try with the small sample and see the difference between this and regular single crochet variant. Then, watch Houndstooth Cowl to try another change within this same variation, by working in a spiral, instead of closed rounds.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, WITH SINGLE CROCHET CROSS STITCH
This a variation you will mostly see within amigurumis, because it gives a nice combination of good looking texture and closed stitches.

MAIN FEATURES

• Single crochet cross stitch creates an “X” structure on the stitch, instead of the “V” shape from single crochets. This can allow for wrapped yarn to be less visible.
• Stitches will line up diagonally, one over the other, which is great for more free form and curved drawings.
• A continued design, because there is no beginning or end of rounds with slip stitch, which sometimes leaves a type of seam on the side.
• Creates a strong weave, single crochet cross stitch is naturally sturdy when worked in the round and carrying a thread in between stitches, makes it even stronger.

DISADVANTAGES

• It may require some practice beforehand, as this stitch requires to take the first yarn over differently. Or only use in small projects like amigurumi.
• Not very suitable if you’re looking to draw straight lines, stitches will naturally move over to one side with every round.
• Underlying color can still be a little visible, especially when using very contrasting colors, crocheting loosely or using 100% cotton yarns that have no fluff. Try with a mix of acrylic or a fluffier cotton yarn and effect from underlying color will diminish even more.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, BACK AND FORTH, WITH SINGLE CROCHET

It’s not all in the round possibilities, because you can also use tapestry in flat pieces. Because there are projects that can ask for this kind of construction.

MAIN FEATURES

• Suitable for both free form and geometrical drawings.
• Suitable for flat, square designs.
• Makes it also possible to carry more than one yarn, if you want to create colorful design.

DISADVANTAGES

• By working back and forth, shapes aren’t as defined, compared to working in the round.
• Carried color(s) are lifted with every row, which creates a colored edging, that some may dislike.
• Underlying color can be a little visible, especially when using very contrasting colors or loose crocheting. Try with a smaller hook and the effect will decrease.

A nice and easy variant to work with, to create interesting seamed projects, like the Classic Frame Purse below.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, WITH DOUBLE CROCHET, IN THE ROUND, IN CLOSED ROUNDS

Love this one and I’m pretty sure you will too. Perfect for geometrical designs as well, because of double crochets, which practically line up straight one over the other for a lovely effect.

MAIN FEATURES

• Suitable for geometrical drawings.
• Closed rounds with slip stitch which is not as visible and doesn’t leave a seam on the work.
• Makes it also possible to carry more than one yarn, if you want to create colorful design.

DISADVANTAGES

• Not as suitable for free form designs, the use of double crochets narrows this possibility a bit.
• Double crochets are naturally more open stitches. Underlying color(s) will be more visible, especially when using very contrasting colors or loose crocheting. Try with a smaller hook and the effect will decrease.
• Doesn’t create such a very resistant weave as other variants, which, for example, makes it more necessary to add linings in bags made with it.

Didn’t make a video with a small sample first, just went directly to the Symmetria Tapestry Pouch project. If you’ve already tried tapestry before, you will find it super simple too.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

TAPESTRY CROCHET, WITH SPLIT SINGLE CROCHET, IN THE ROUND, IN A SPIRAL

Maybe the hardest variation of tapestry, if I had to rate by difficulty level. Just because I find split single crochet by itself needs some practice. Not because it involves special skills to complete it, but because it combines loose stitching with a small hook, which can be a little contradictory. Definitely to be tried and saved into your new set of crochet abilities, if you want that “knit” look and super strong weaves, even with thinner yarns.

MAIN FEATURES

• Suitable for both free form and geometrical drawings. Stitches will line up straighter, one over the other, which is great for geometrical drawings
• A continued design, because there is no beginning or end of rounds with slip stitch, which sometimes leaves a type of seam on the side.
• Creates the strongest weave, split single crochet is naturally sturdy and carrying a thread in between stitches, makes it even stronger.

DISADVANTAGES

• Requires more patience than other variants, to get the hold of crocheting loosely but with a smaller crochet hook.
• Though stitches will line up straighter in comparison to regular single crochets, they will naturally and slightly tilt to one side, especially in bigger projects.
• Not sure if this is suitable to be used wit more than one carried color, would suggest to use with two colors at a time only.

Try with the small sample and let me know, would you like a free pattern for this variant? Because I’m still missing one.

Looking for more tapestry crochet patterns? Go to my pattern store and find more designs with this color work technique.

You can see how interesting and diverse Tapestry Crochet can be. I’ve tried several of it’s possibilities and I’m sure there are even more for me to discover.

Hope this is useful for you to take a glance of what you can create with it and to decide which you enjoy the most. Let me know!