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

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!)


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;

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

Ch1, 3sc into MR in Colour B;

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);

Make 2sc in each of next 3 sts;

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

Drop Colour B, switch marker.
Round 3
Pick up Colour A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times;

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;

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

Drop Colour B.
Round 4
Pick up Colour A,

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

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

Drop Colour B.
Round 5
Pick up Colour A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times, drop Colour A;

Pick up Colour B,

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

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.

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

Ss in next 2 sts. 36 sts

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 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!).

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
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