Hey everyone! I thought I would talk a little about working with black yarn. I’m currently working on a project that requires me to use black yarn, which sometimes I tend to avoid. Whether you’re crocheting with black yarn as a special request or you’re working on a project like I am that requires it, here are 10 tips for crocheting with black yarn.

10 Tips for Crocheting with Black Yarn

Do you avoid crocheting with black yarn? For me, crocheting with black yarn isn’t the most enjoyable, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil when it comes to certain projects. One of my favorite go-to black yarns to use is Red Heart with Love. This is a wonderful medium (worsted) weight yarn that’s super soft and holds its shape well.

1. Sit at a white surface when crocheting with black yarn.

Sitting at a white table (or having a white pillow, white tablecloth, poster board, etc.) underneath your project will help you see those stitches more easily. You will be able to see through the piece to some degree, but having something white underneath will make a world of difference. You can purchase similar poster boards I use here.

2. Use a bright light to better show stitches.

My favorite light to use while working with black yarn is my Ottlite. I purchased my at Joann Fabrics while it was on sale. There are many different styles of this Ottlite, whether you want a tabletop light or a floor lamp. An Ottlite gives off a bright white light, making it easier to see your stitches while working with darker colored yarn.

3. Use a headlamp.

Some people use a headlamp when it comes to working with black yarn. This is another way to see those stitches if you’re not sitting near a lamp or at a table. A headlamp is ideal as the light is focused on what you’re looking at. You can choose which option is best for you.

4. Use a neck lamp.

Maybe you’re not into wearing a headlamp because you don’t feel comfortable wearing it. Another option is to use a neck lamp. Some neck lamps are poseable, have different light settings, and are rechargeable. You can choose which option is best for you.

5. Keep the stitches simple.

When working with dark yarn, you want to look for simple patterns instead of complex patterns. The simpler the pattern, the easier it will be to crochet with your black yarn. Also, when using such dark colored yarn, your detailed stitches won’t stick out as much, so save yourself the trouble and stitch to easier patterns. A few patterns that I suggest are basic hat pattern and granny square blanket pattern.

6. Use lighted crochet hooks.

Some people love to use lighted crochet hooks while working with black yarn. Some people swear by them. However, I’m not a fan of them (everyone has their favorites). You can buy these lighted hooks individually or you can buy a whole set of them. These will work out well if you’re not a fan of using a headlamp or a neck lamp. If you’re unsure about a lighted crochet hook, you can also buy one to test it out before investing in a whole set of them. You can purchase the lighted crochet hooks here.

7. Use stitch markers.

Stitch markers are essential in a lot of different projects, but it’s especially helpful when working with black yarn. Stitch markers really help keep you on track. Trust me, there is nothing worse than finding a mistake a few rows back and have to rip out your work. There are different stitch markers out there that you can use, but these are the ones that I use.

8. Use a magnifying glass or strong reading glasses

Some people have a hard time seeing the stitches, especially with dark colored yarn. By using reading glasses or a magnifying glass, you’ll be able to see the stitches easier. You can even find a hands-free magnifying glass, such as this one.

9. Start slow until you’re familiar with the pattern.

When working on a new pattern, it’s important to start slow and familiarize yourself before accidentally missing a stitch. It’s a pain having to go back and figure out where that mistake was at in your work.

10. Count often.

This is probably one of the more important aspects of working with black yarn, or any yarn color for that matter. You don’t have to count your stitches at the end of every row, but every few rows will help ensure your work is balanced and working up correctly. When working with black yarn, counting your stitches more often can be the difference between a completed project and an abandoned project. This is also a perfect opportunity to use those stitch markers we talked about earlier.

At the end of the day, crocheting with black yarn doesn’t have to be a pain. Try using one or any combination of these 10 tips mentioned and you’ll have your project finished in no time!

What do you think of these tips using black yarn? Do you have any tips of your own? Feel free to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!

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