# Crocheting - I am new at this and trying to use more colors...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 10, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688 "2010-12-10T19:01:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688/1 "2010-12-10T19:01:38Z")
I am new at this whole crocheting thing, but I like it. I want to make a friend of mine a scarf (my speciality since they are simple) but I want to use more than one color.
How do I do this? I read that you make a loop, then loop the new colour through, but that means the old yarn just hangs there…? I am missing something.
Also, I would like to move on from scarves and start doing slippers and mittens, but have NO idea how to go about doing that…
Any help is welcome…
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### Author:  [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688/2 "2010-12-10T19:49:36Z")
I’m no expert, but I’ve been an amateur hooker for a few years now.
Yes, the beginning of the new color and the end of the old color just hang there. You can pull on them a bit if they start to loosen nearby stitches, but they’re usually fine. Then, once you’ve got a bit more crochet done (this depends on what you’re doing–on a striped scarf, you probably need to do a row or two), you pull out your yarn needle and work the ends into the fabric of the matching color. Do as much as seems unlikely to pull all the way out, then cut off the end. Stretch the fabric around the stub a bit so that it pulls back in, and it disappears.
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### Author:  [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688/3 "2010-12-10T19:59:35Z")
**stargazer** , who is a knitting addict, formed a group called ‘SDMB Yarnies’ on [Ravelry.com](http://Ravelry.com). It’s not super active, but it would be great to have you join if you haven’t already. The main thing we seem to do is post pictures of completed projects, which is fun.
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### Author:  [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688/4 "2010-12-10T20:31:36Z")
Everybody has their own way of doing it… you can knot the ends together if you want to, but the ends still need to be woven in. Some people weave them with a yarn needle and some people just crochet over the ends. Your choice.
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### Author:  [@Southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southpaw)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocheting-i-am-new-at-this-and-trying-to-use-more-colors/563688/5 "2010-12-10T23:32:36Z")
When you have two loops on the hook, yarn over with the new color and complete the stitch.
For example, if you’re working in (US) double crochet, in the last stitch:
(Old color) Yarn over, draw through loop.
(OC) Yarn over draw through two loops (two loops on hook),
drop old color
(New color) yarn over and draw through two loops.
Proceed as usual.
I like to crochet over the yarn ends for a few stitches just to keep them from unraveling. When you’re done with your project, just weave in the ends (make sure to go in at least two directions so it doesn’t unravel).