Hi there JillBob! Thanks for the picture! I think the difference is caused by the use of v-single crochet instead of x-single crochet. In the introductory pages of the book Yan explains her use of a slightly different single crochet technique. This specific technique causes her stitches to be more on top of each other, shifting less. In her second book she explains it in a little more detail, i'll copy the paragraph here for you:

Difference between V and X single crochet
If you’re an experienced crocheter you might have noticed that my
stitches look slightly different from what you’re accustomed to.
Instead of wrapping the yarn over my crochet hook, I wrap it under my
crochet hook, that is, I "yarn under". By doing this, I get an X-shaped
single crochet stitch instead of a V-shaped single crochet stitch.
Apart from the different look, there are a few more differences you
should know about.
– Size: X-shaped single crochet is much tighter, so the result will be
smaller. Vice versa, the fabric made using V-shaped single crochet
is more fluid/elastic, so the toy will be softer. For example, if I make
a circle of 60 stitches using X-shaped single crochet, my circle will
be about 3.3 inches / 8.5 cm in diameter. If I make it using V-shaped
single crochet, its diameter is about 4 inches / 10 cm.
– How the stitches seem to turn around: V-shaped single crochet
stitches move a little in each round, so your crochetwork appears
to turn to one side. X-shaped single crochet is less likely to do this,
which will give nicer results when crocheting jacquard.
– How the stripe patterns look: X-shaped single crochet looks like a
half double crochet when making stripes in different colors.

You weren't doing anything wrong. But I think the shifting of your color changes will be less when using the technique she originally worked with.

Your bird looks really cute, though, I wouldn't frog it if i were you . Also, the wings go over the color change, it might be hardly noticeable.

Post last edited over one month ago by Joke