EASY Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet Tutorial (for Beginners!)
Corner to corner crochet (or C2C) is one of my all time favorite stitch patterns for making a crochet blanket, scarves, pillows, and lots of other things!
Today I’ll show you how to do work a basic c2c crochet pattern, including how to make increase rows, how to make a decrease row, and how to handle color changes.
You’ll learn the whole process in the picture tutorial down below, and there’s a video tutorial as well!
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What is C2C crochet?
Corner to corner crochet (c2c) is a technique that uses double crochet stitches and chains to create small square blocks that connect together in diagonal rows.
Sometimes you’ll see it called a diagonal box stitch.
The number of blocks determines the size of the finished project. You can make it as large or small as you want!
You’ll start off making increase rows to gradually increase the width of your blanket. Once it’s the size you want, you’ll start working decrease rows until you only have one square left.
Once you get the basic stitch pattern down, it’s a fast and easy. It’s a great stitch to use if you want to work up a blanket fairly fast and you don’t want to have to pay attention too much while you’re crocheting.
Here’s a few crochet projects that are perfect for c2c patterns:
- baby blankets
- afghans
- shawls
- throw pillow covers
Sometimes you’ll see c2c crochet blankets called graphgans. These are c2c blankets that have a design created by strategic color changes and c2c graphs.
Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post if you want to learn more about C2C charts and how you can use them to make really cool designs.
What stitches do I need to know for C2C?
The most common version of c2c only requires you to know how to chain, slip stitch and double crochet. That’s what we’ll be doing today in this tutorial.
You can also make a modified version of c2c crochet called “mini c2c” that uses half double crochet to make little baby squares. Doesn’t that sound cute!?
Alright, now that we got the basics out of the way, let’s do some corner to corner crochet!
How to Crochet Corner to Corner (C2C)
Check out the video tutorial over on my YouTube channel, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Supplies You’ll Need
- yarn – I’m using a worsted weight cotton yarn for the demo
- crochet hook that works with your yarn – I’m using a size 5.00mm
- scissors
- yarn needle to weave in your ends
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- ch 3 sp – chain 3 space: this is the space between the starting chain 3 and the first dc of a square. Sometimes it’s also just called a chain space.
- sl st – slip stitch
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
Notes
Pattern is written in US terms.
Row 1: First square – (Right side row)
Attach the yarn to your hook and ch 6. Dc in the 4th ch from hook, and in the last 2 ch. This will make your first square.
Row 2: First increase row (Wrong side row)
Turn your work. For the next row, we’re going to increase at the beginning and end of the row.
Ch 6. Dc in the 4th ch from your hook, and the next 2 ch.
Sl st into the ch 3 sp of the square from the previous row.
Ch 3, then make 3 dc in the same ch 3 sp.
That completes row 2.
Row 3: Second increase row (RS row)
Turn your work. Row 3 is the same as row 2 with another square in the middle.
Ch 6. Dc in the 4th ch from your hook, and the next 2 ch.
Sl st into the ch 3 sp of the first square from the previous row. Ch 3, then make 3 dc in the same ch 3 sp.
Sl st into the ch 3 sp of the last square from the previous row. Ch 3, then make 3 dc in the same ch 3 sp.
That’s the end of row 3.
Continue making increase rows:
From now on, you’ll repeat row 3 to make increase rows until you reach the widest point of your project.
For this demonstration, I’m just going to go ahead and start decreasing, which will make a small square.
If you want to make a blanket or a throw, go ahead and keep increasing until it’s as large as you want from corner to corner.
NOTE: Working increases at the beginning and end of the row and then switching to decreasing at the beginning and end of the row will result in a square.
Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post for instructions on making a c2c rectangle.
Row 4: First c2c decrease row (WS row)
Turn your work. Sl st into the first 3 dc. Sl st into the ch 3 sp.
Now ch 3 and work 3 dc into the ch 3 sp as usual. Repeat the usual ch 3, 3 dc in the next ch 3 sp of the second square.
When you reach the last square, sl st into the ch 3 sp and stop.
Row 5: Last decrease row (RS Row)
Turn your work. Sl st into the first 3 dc. Sl st into the ch 3 sp.
Ch 3 and work 3 dc into the ch 3 sp.
Sl st into the ch 3 sp of the last square.
Cut your yarn and finish off.
Weave in your ends as usual and cut off the excess yarn.
How to Make a Border for C2C Crochet
Once you get your main project complete, you’ll probably want to make a border around the outside to make it look nice and neat.
There are lots of ways to make a crochet border! Here are a few ideas:
- basic single crochet border – single crochet evenly around the whole blanket, making 3 sc in the corners. You can make multiple rows of single crochet, and it looks really nice if you change colors for each row!
- scalloped border – work a row of single crochet and then another row of double crochet, then make a scalloped border following this pattern.
- linen stitch border – if you prefer a simple border that still looks nice and polished, this linen stitch border is perfect!
How to Make a C2C Rectangle
If you continue increasing until you reach the widest point of your project, and then you start decreasing on both sides, you’ll end up with a square.
That’s great for baby blankets and all, but most larger blankets need to be rectangles!
Luckily, it’s super easy to make a c2c rectangle. You start out by increasing as usual until you reach the next corner of your blanket.
At that point, start decreasing on that side only, and keep increasing on the other side until that side is the length you want and you reach the opposite corner. Then you’ll go ahead and decrease on both sides until you reach the last corner!
How do you change color in a C2C project?
Once you get the basic stitch pattern down with a solid color, it’s time to tackle color changes!
You can change colors every few rows to make a diagonal striped blanket, or you can change colors much more frequently throughout the row to do a pixel design.
Here’s how to change colors in c2c crochet:
You’re going to change colors at the end of the last dc right before the area you want the color change to happen in.
Work the last dc up until you have 2 loops left on your hook. Drop the color you’ve been using and use the new color to complete the stitch.
You don’t have to tie a slip knot to attach the yarn to your hook, just lay the yarn over your hook and hold it in place while you do the first few stitches.
Eventually you can go back and tie the two ends of the yarn together to make it more secure before you weave in the ends.
Depending on how often you’re changing colors, cutting the yarn each time might get a bit tedious.
Instead, you can leave it attached, and later when you need that same color again pick it back up again.
This only really works for color changes on the edges of your blanket, although you can do the same in the center portions of the blanket and later cut the yarn and tie the ends together.
What are C2C charts and how do you use them?
One of the great things about c2c crochet is that the squares can basically be thought of as pixels for making fun designs!
A c2c chart is a map that you use to know when to change colors to create your images.
You start at the bottom right corner and work your way to the top left corner in diagonal stripes.
If you print out your chart, you can easily cross off your finished rows so you don’t loose your place.
C2C charts are perfect if you’re a visual person and prefer to see your pattern rather than reading it.
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial about the c2c method and it cleared up any questions you had about this popular technique!
Soon I’m working on a free pattern for a corner to corner afghan that I’ll share with you soon, so stay tuned for that.
Looking for more crochet patterns? Check out the ones below!
More Crochet Patterns and Tutorials