How to crochet a two colour spiral (with single crochets)

A two-colour single crochet spiral seen from above.

Today I’m sharing a simple written and step-by-step photo tutorial which will teach you how to crochet a spiral in two contrasting colours, using US single crochet (double crochet in UK terms).

When working on my latest crochet pattern, I wanted a reminder of how to do this and the only tutorials I could find were for US double crochet (UK trebles), not a one for singles!

So I refreshed my memory on the principle and tweaked it to work with single crochets.

I love a spiral. They can be used in so many ways in crochet projects that I couldn’t not share my approach with you.

I start with the concept of how a two colour crochet spiral works and follow up with the step by step picture tutorial.

Fingers crossed, there will be a video tutorial coming soon, but for now I hope you’ll find the photo tutorial sufficient. (Crochet spirals are easier than they look!)

A brown and white crochet spiral made from single crochet, seen from above resting on a hand. A text overlay reads; Crochet tutorial. How to make a two colour single crochet spiral.
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The principle of a two colour crochet spiral

Before I get started on the picture tutorial I think it’s useful to understand the concept of how the spiral is constructed. This will make the written instructions much easier to understand.

Basically, a two colour spiral is crocheted in the same way as a typical flat circle (in a continuous round), with a few adjustments.

The main difference is that first half of the Round is worked in Colour A and the second half is worked in Colour B.

Each round always starts with Colour A and finishes with Colour B.

I saw it described along the lines of Colour A chasing Colour B around the circle and I think that’s a really useful way to think about it.

Keep these points front of mind when you’re working it and it should help you avoid any confusion.

Tutorial Notes

  • Chains do not count as stitches
  • Work on the right side in continual rounds without joining or turning
  • In the photos Colour A = brown, Colour B = white
  • When dropping yarn of one colour to pick up another, you may wish to pop a lockable stitch marker into the empty loop to stop it unravelling – I’ve done this in the picture tutorial for the first few rounds to demonstrate
  • Instructions between [square brackets] should be worked the specific number of times specified

Materials Used

I used a 3.5mm crochet hook and dk cotton yarn in brown and white for this tutorial.

The yarn is James C Brett ‘It’s pure cotton’ dk, in Rich Coffee (Colour A) and Cream (Colour B), purchased from my local yarn store. This is a lovely, soft and non-mercerised cotton double knit. 100g ball = 215m / 223 yds.

Stitches & Abbreviations (US terms)

  • ch = chain
  • MR = magic ring
  • sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
  • ss = slip stitch
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • RS = right side
  • WS = wrong side

Two colour single crochet tutorial

Using Colour A, make a magic ring (MR) – learn how to make one here

Round 1 (RS)

Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 3sc in MR, pull up a loop;

Crochet spiral round 1 in yarn A.

Remove hook from loop, attach a lockable stitch marker to the loop of Colour A (optional), join Colour B into MR;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial Joining yarn B.

Ch1, 3sc into MR in Colour B;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial at the end of Round 1.

Pull up loop and remove hook from Colour B, pull tail from magic ring tight, do not join or turn here or throughout. 6 sts

Round 2

Pick up Colour A (adding a marker to the loop of Colour B if desired);

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial Round 1 in yarn B.

Make 2sc in each of next 3 sts;

Crochet spiral in two colours tutorial Round 2 in Yarn A

Drop Colour A, pick up Colour B (switching stitch marker if you’re using one), 2sc in each of next 3 sts. 12 sts

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial end of Round 2 in colour B.

Drop Colour B, switch marker.

Round 3

Pick up Colour A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial. A colour A worked for Round 3.

You can see in the close-up below that the first half of the round, worked in Colour A (brown) works right up and into the last stitch made in Colour B – this is what I meant by Colour A chasing Colour B.

Drop Colour A, pick up Colour B, switch marker;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial. Drop yarn A and ad a marker into the loop. Yarn B has been picked up ready for the rest of Round 3.

[2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times. 18 sts

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial at the end of Round 3.

Drop Colour B.

Round 4

Pick up Colour A,

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial ready to start Round 4 using Yarn A. Stitch marker has been discarded.

[2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial. Half way through round 4 showing how colour A ‘chases’ colour B. The last stitch in Yarn A is made in the last stitch of Yarn B.

Drop Colour A, pick up Colour B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times. 24 sts

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial At the end of round 4.

Drop Colour B.

Round 5

Pick up Colour A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times, drop Colour A;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial A close up of how Yarn A is worked into the last stitch of Yarn B when ‘chasing’ the yarn.

Pick up Colour B,

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial Half way through Round 5. Yarn B has been picked up ready for the second half of the round.

[2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times;

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial At the end of Round 5.

Ss in next 2 sts to finish of swirl ( ss do not count as sts for the stitch count). 30 sts

Fasten off Colour B.

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial At the end of Round 5 where two slip stitches have been made to fasten off Yarn A.

Round 6

Pick up Colour A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 4 sts] 6 times,

Two colour single crochet spiral tutorial. A close up showing the two slip stitches on the final round of yarn B, with the first half of round 6.
The image above shows progress half way through Round 6 – continue working in pattern into the two additional slip stitches made in Colour B from the end of Round 5

Ss in next 2 sts. 36 sts

Two colour single crochet spiral shown after 6 rounds, the example complete but not fastened off.

Fasten off Colour A to finish your spiral and weave in ends.

You can see the finished 6-Round two colour single crochet spiral from the Right Side below;

The ‘right’ side of a two colour single crochet spiral made in brown and white with 6 Rounds.

The Wrong Side of the finished spiral can be seen below (with all the yarn tails I haven’t sewn in yet making it look messy!).

The ‘wrong side’ of a two colour single crochet spiral made with 6 Rounds.

Tips for single crochet spirals

This tutorial works with a 6-Round pattern. If you want a larger spiral you can continue in the same way as shown, using the basic flat circle method.

If you’re working a bigger spiral, you might want to stagger your increases to avoid your circle starting to look angular. You can also learn how to do this in my flat circle tutorial.

I like to slip stitch at the end of Colour B to create a smooth taper to the colour.

Likewise, before I fasten off Colour A I make two or three slip stitches to smooth the jog and keep the circle looking circular. You can also try using the invisible join method for a neat edge.

If you want to add a third colour to your spiral, you would use the same principle but split your rounds in three instead of two.

I hope you’ve found this tutorial helpful. Please do drop any questions or feedback in the comments.

Happy spiralling (but not in a stressy way!)

Dx

More Crochet Stitch Tutorials

Copyright Dora Does Limited, Registered in England, Company Number 13992263. This pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced in written, photo, video or any other form without prior written consent. All rights reserved. Terms of service.

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