I LOVE the versatility of crochet. It is so exciting to me that you can take a simple stitch, like this one, and it can become a million different patterns, all using the same technique, and by doing specific things, like strategic changing of colours, offsetting a chevron, or something simple, like using all your scraps, can make so many beautiful patterns.
With corner to corner, or C2C, I have patterns for so many different items, let alone styles for the colours and graphs, even. For example, blankets are so popular, but I’ve also seen, triangle shawls, pillows, table runners, and even a dishcloth. Check out my Pinterest Board for ideas! I am so in love with the herringbone style, and the modern X blanket, and the super cute heart pillows. I may have to make a couple of those for my kids beds!
What do you plan to make with C2C? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! You can also tag us in your beautiful makes on Instagram. I love sharing them to my stories!
First, let’s talk about the fundamentals of C2C.
There are a number of things that you aren’t going to be used to when working this style of stitching. BUT they are normal, in C2C.
1. The first and obvious one, is that it is worked on the diagonal, as you can see in the image above. You’re going to begin with a corner and work your way up until you reach your desired size, then begin decreases to shape, like making a rectangle, or decrease both side and top, for a square.
2. When reading a C2C pattern & chart, you’re going to find some numbers along the sides. These are your row numbers. Follow them diagonally. You can see the chart, and follow the written lines as well. If you’re just doing straight C2C like I will show you in this post, we won’t include a graph/chart, but if you make some simple items with it, you may venture into harder items like the cute heart pillows from my Pinterest or graphgans. Yes, you read that right: blankets with pictures, made from graphs, called graphgans. Like this one, at right. Link to the Etsy pattern, when you click the picture.
3. You’re going to be flipping your work over, for each row, not just turning. This will probably be new, if this is the first time you’re trying C2C.
4. Each row when worked will have the previous rows stitches going horizontally when the ones you’re currently making are vertical.
Yes, there are a lot of things that are flat out weird about C2C, that will be new, but hang in there. It’s actually a lot of fun to create once you get the hang of it!
I’m using Red Heart Super Saver for our tutorial, and a 5mm crochet hook.
So, how exactly do you make Corner to Corner?
Row 1:
Start with chain 5.
Then double crochet into the 3rd chain from your hook, and the next 2 chains as well, so 3dc total.
Block 1 & Row 1 are finished.
Row 2: Repeat Row 1, Chain 5, Dc into 3rd chain, and next 2 ch.
Now we have 2 blocks.
From here, flip the first block forward and up, so it is now sitting beside, and your original chains are now along the top, beside your crochet hook.
To secure the blocks together, slip stitch into the chains of block 1.
This is how we will start every increase row, from now on.
To finish Row 2, we chain 2, then dc 3 into the edge of block one. This will be every worked block, from the second one in each row, to the last. So each row has 1 starting block, and the rest are worked blocks. We will cover decrease blocks below.
This blanket is inspired by the one on my Pinterest Board, and as it is a paid pattern by another creator, if you like it, please purchase it from them! I will, however, advise that to make the V’s, as I did, I created a third block for Row 2, adding it to the left side, before turning to begin row 3. I hope that helps, without giving away the pattern.
Row 3: (going back to the example in plain white above) Turn your work horizontally, normal turn.
Make 1 starting block: chain 5, dc into 3rd chain from your hook, and next 2 chains. Turn your work, vertically. slip stitch to the top of the last block on row 2.
Continue with the working blocks: ch 2, work 3 dc into the block below, slip st to the right side of the next block. Chain 2, and dc 3 more times into the last block from the row below.
That is how C2C works for the increase rows. Now, you can keep going for awhile, following the rows, until you measure along one of the straight sides and its as big as you want. I’ve used this pattern for a dishcloth before and made it square, but you can make whatever your heart decides.
Decreasing in C2C
When you ready, begin decreasing. If you want to make a rectangle, you’re going to decrease on one side and keep increasing on the other. To make a square, begin decreasing on both sides at the same time.
To decrease, you’re going to turn your work at the end of the row, and slip stitch across the top of the block you just finished to get to the opposite corner, so you can begin working your next block beside it.
Now, for the next row and each one, while decreasing, you don’t need to make a starting block, you can just make a working block, with a chain 2, and 3DC.
Keep decreasing until you’re down to 1 block, slip stitch at the end to fasten off and weave in your ends.
Give this tutorial a try with Cotton Yarn in a square, for a dishcloth!
I’d love to see what your imagination can come up with using this tutorial! Tag me on Instagram @purple.rose.crafts and I’ll share your post to our stories!
Thanks so much for hanging out with me!
Much Love,
