Discover the best tips and tricks for crocheting with black yarn. From lighting techniques to stitch selection, master the art of crocheting with black yarn to ease your frustration and create stunning crochet projects.

Your guide to crocheting with black yarn

Recently, I decided to crochet a blanket for my oldest son and chose a beautiful black tweed yarn. I knew he would enjoy the soft, cuddly yarn; plus, the color black goes with everything and the tweed broke up the black enough to make it more interesting.

As I was working on the blanket, I had a lot of trouble seeing where the stitches should be worked and struggled to keep my stitch count consistent. I had to find a solution fast because I had already committed to making this special gift for Christmas.

Has this ever happened to you? I suspect it has in some form or another. Were you able to find a solution that made the experience more pleasant?

We can’t avoid working with black yarn forever. So, I’m here to give you some tips and tricks for successfully and happily crocheting with black yarn.

The Pros and Cons of crocheting with black yarn

First, let me just say that, while crocheting with black yarn gets a bad wrap (for good reason), other dark yarns can be just as challenging to work with. Consider charcoal gray, dark brown, deep navy…the list goes on. We shouldn’t have to avoid these beautiful colors. You can apply all of the information here to those darker colors as well.

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of crocheting with black yarn.

Pros of crocheting with black yarn

Let’s face it…black goes with everything. When you’re making a gift for someone and you’re not sure of the décor color scheme, crocheting with black yarn or variations thereof can be a smart choice.

Black is an elegant, stylish color and it plays well with others. It can act as a beautiful contrast to other colors and can make those other colors really pop for a beautiful statement piece.

Cons of crocheting with black yarn

OK, let’s talk about the downside of crocheting with black yarn…because we all know there are cons.

The biggest issue is it’s difficult to see your work when crocheting with black yarn. Individual stitches can be very difficult to see so you don’t really know where to insert your hook for the next stitch. 

Stitch definition is basically lost, making textured stitches blend into your work rather than adding interest to the overall look. All the special features those stitches bring to the finished object are completely lost.

And, if you’ve ever wanted to get that perfect photograph, forget it. Black yarn is nearly impossible to capture in photos no matter how good the lighting.

So, what can you do? It’s not logical to think you can ALWAYS avoid crocheting with black yarn. You will eventually have to deal with the dreaded black yarn.

I’ve collected some tips and helpful materials to make crocheting with black yarn and working on a project in low light a lot easier. 

Solutions for crocheting with black yarn

Hooks

Try a lighted hook.

Did you know there are a variety of hooks that light up? Just doing a quick internet search yields so many possibilities. 

Crocheting with a lighted hook can help in a number of ways. 

• It makes where to insert your hook more visible without adding a lot of light to your environment. 
• The built-in LED light makes it easier to see your stitches and avoid mistakes. 
• A lighted hook can reduce eye strain, allowing for longer, more comfortable crocheting sessions. 
• It makes a fabulous travel companion, especially in the car at night.

Here’s a great article by Crochet Kim that compares/reviews various lighted hooks:

Lighted Crochet Hooks: 8 of the Best Options in 2023

Use a light-colored hook.

Hooks come in all kinds of colors. When you choose a light-colored hook, you provide a contrast to the black yarn, making it easier to see where to insert your hook.

Adequate lighting is important when crocheting with black yarn.

I crochet every evening in my favorite chair as I watch TV. I have a lamp next to my chair that provides adequate light. But, that adequate light isn’t always enough when I’m crocheting with black yarn or dark colors.

Even with lighter colors, working in a low light environment can feel a lot like crocheting with black yarn. Unless the color of your yarn is on the light side, you’ll struggle just the same when working in low or insufficient lighting as if you were crocheting with black yarn.

Here are some solutions to brighten up your work area:

• Get a standing lamp that has an extra reading arm that shines over your shoulder.
• Have lighting on both sides of you like a table lamp on one side and a standing lamp on the other.
• Purchase a lamp that hangs around your neck. There are lots of choices on Amazon. Plus, one of the most popular neck lamps is made by Lumos.
• Indulge your inner construction worker and use a headlamp!

Techniques and Tools for crocheting with black yarn

Sometimes simple solutions are the best. Plus, you may already be doing some of these things. Here’s a list of general suggestions you can choose from when crocheting with black yarn. Chances are one or more of these will work for you.

• Sit at a contrasting light-colored or white surface.
• Keep the stitches simple or crochet an openwork pattern with lots of spaces.
• Use stitch markers to mark off intervals.
• Wear strong reading glasses or use a magnifying glass.
• Count often. (I can’t stress this one enough!)
• Don’t be afraid to frog.
• Take breaks to avoid eye fatigue.

No-cost solutions

Not everyone has the money to invest in some of the tools I’ve talked about for crocheting with black yarn. And, not everyone wants to spend a lot of money solving the problem. So, here are some no-cost solutions you can employ when crocheting with black yarn.

• Find a lighter, brighter spot in your house like a window with direct sunlight.
• Move to a more well-lit part of the house and make it a comfy, crochet spot.
• Shine a light directly on your work. I suggest you get your significant other to stand next to you with a flashlight. They’ll love you for it!

Want to read more on the subject of crocheting with black yarn?

Here are a few of my favorites!

• 10 Tips for Crocheting with Black Yarn by Heart Hook Home
• Best tips for working with black yarn by Simply Hooked by Janet
• 10 Tips for Working with Black Yarn by Interweave

Let’s Wrap It Up!

Crocheting with black yarn and darker colors doesn’t have to be your undoing. By using some of the tips and tricks I’ve outlined in the post, you can happily and with confidence crochet any project and not want to pull out your hair (or throw the yarn out with the trash)!