Beautiful Edges in Tapestry Crochet

Hi, I have a question that’s been on my mind for a really long time. I love tapestry crochet and mostly crochet into the back loop because I enjoy crocheting motifs, and I think the overlapping stitches look nicer when they’re straight. Now, I always love looking at the bags made by the so-called Wayuu women, and they manage to create such beautiful, straight color transitions that I wonder if there’s a trick to doing it even better. Sometimes, when I look more closely, I get the impression that even with straight motifs, they use a different technique than just inserting the hook into the back loop. I do the color change the classic way—that is, I work the last stitch of the old color together with the first stitch of the new color. Does anyone here perhaps have a tip for me? I’d be incredibly happy to hear it.

With these, they are actually different stitches, and the stitches sit exactly on top of each other. Try Googling “crocheting knot stitches.” You’ll find a description under “Pfiffigstes Häkelblog.” Some people also call these stitches “criss-cross stitches.”

Oooh, I think I’ll have to take a closer look at that too :)

Although I do think the “uneven” edge adds a special touch to some crochet pieces. 

Thanks for the tip, Ruth :)

Hi, thank you so much for your reply. Yes, I’m already familiar with those stitches and have tried them out. But they’re still not neat enough for me :). I know I’m being picky, but as I said, the Mochilla bags are definitely not crocheted with those kinds of stitches, and yet they’re sooo neat, and the stitches line up perfectly. And here’s something else that stands out—which is what made me think there must be another trick: the backs of some Mochilla bags are identical to the fronts; you really can’t see the color changes on the back at all. And I’m wondering, how do you pull that off? Not everyone can pull this off—there are plenty of photos and patterns where you can clearly see that the color changes are visible on the back and it just isn’t as neat. But there are also other examples, and I just can’t figure out how it’s done. Maybe someone has an idea??? Please :) I’d appreciate any tips—I’m already at my wits’ end...

That could be the knit stitch, then.
And to avoid floats, maybe the double-face technique? But then the colors on the back are the opposite ones.