I picked up corner-to-corner crochet during COVID quarantine last year and was amazed by how quickly I was able to whip up a striped blanket. Once you get the hang of the stitches, it’s a repetitive, meditative pattern that allows you to space out in front of the TV. Since you turn the project after each row, c2c creates a yummy, wavy texture in the fabric. Check out my Quilt Block Pillow to see for yourself!
I’m getting ahead of myself though. First, let’s talk about the basics and learn c2c step-by-step. Thennnn we can jump ahead to all the colorwork and fun patterns you can make with corner-to-corner crochet. 😉
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What is corner-to-corner crochet?
Corner-to-corner crochet (c2c) is a technique that’s worked diagonally with little tiles of double crochets. It’s often used with colorwork, as each block can represent a pixel/square in a graph. c2c can be used to create just about anything — pillows, blankets, accessories, and even garments!
Today, I’ll show you a sample c2c graph and discuss how to follow an existing chart or even make your own. Next, I’ve got a step-by-step tutorial to teach you how to get started, increase, decrease, and finish off. When you’re done, you’ll have your own tiny, corner-to-corner swatch. So cute! You can then apply these techniques to future projects and patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to corner-to-corner crochet, you might be wondering:
- Is it hard? – Nope! Corner-to-corner crochet is perfect for advanced beginners. You’ll be using standard stitches like double crochets, slip stitches, and chains.
- Is c2c fast? – Yes! Once you get the hang of it, it’s super repetitive. I find that it’s an excellent stitch for binge-watching Netflix shows.
- Is corner-to-corner crochet a yarn-eater? – Not really. It’s made of double crochets that are worked diagonally, so you’ll use about the same amount of yarn as a similar-sized dc project.
- What if I’m left-handed? – No worries! Click here for my left-handed tutorial video.
- Can I use half-double crochets (hdc)? – Of course! This tutorial utilizes double crochets, but you can easily swap them out for hdc stitches. Here’s a tutorial from Nicki’s Homemade Crafts.
- How do I change colors in corner-to-corner crochet? – Just like with regular crochet, you’ll pull through the last loops of a stitch with the new color. In c2c crochet, make sure that you’re changing colors on the last stitch of the previous row. Here’s a tutorial from Meghan Makes Do.
- Are there any corner-to-corner crochet pattern books? – Yep! Jess Coppom from Make and Do Crew has an excellent book with 15 contemporary c2c projects. You can buy it on Amazon.
Supplies / Materials
You can corner-to-corner crochet with any hook and yarn, so the supplies are pretty wide open. Feel free to shop your stash and use any yarn and a hook that matches. If this is your first time practicing, I recommend using a lighter colored yarn your stitches are more obvious. Darker colors and fluffy yarns can make the stitches harder to see.
For the tutorial video and pictures, I used Dishie cotton from WeCrochet in an aqua color called “Azure.” Since Dishie is a #4 worsted weight, I paired it with an H 5.0 mm crochet hook (mine’s a blue Odyssey from Furls). If you’re using a worsted weight yarn too, any size hook from H – K (5.0 – 6.0 mm) will work well. Larger hooks will give you a looser fabric weave, which is great for drapey blankets.
Of course, you’ll also need standard crochet notions like scissors and a tapestry needle to weave in your ends when you finish. These are my favorite purple scissors from WeCrochet. They’re small and have a little cover for the blades so it’s the perfect pair to throw into your notions bag.
Techniques / Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- tch – turning chain
- ch sp – chain space
- inc – increase row
- dec – decrease row
- sl st – slip stitch
- weaving in ends
Pattern Notes
- ch-2 and ch-3 count as a dc
- Most people have a preference for how to start off a row of double crochets. If you typically start with a ch-2, you’ll ch 5 to start your increase blocks. ch-3 people will ch 6 to start the increase blocks. FYI – I use ch-5s for the video and tutorial.
- I used a ch-2 at the beginning of each block, but you can sub out a ch-3 if you prefer.
- Each c2c “tile” or “block” is made of a ch-2 + 3 dc
Corner-to-Corner Basics & Chart
Each diagonal row of corner-to-corner crochet is created using little squares made of four double crochet stitches. There are three main types of squares: increases (inc), decreases (dec), and the interior squares in each row.
To corner-to-corner crochet a square, you’ll increase until you reach a corner, then decrease to finish off. Though there are some exceptions, c2c projects are usually square or rectangular shapes. This means that the first block in each row will either increase or decrease, so once you have those covered, you’ll be good to go!
Okay, so let’s talk about today’s little square. I’ve included a chart below, so you can see each row. We’ll start in the bottom right corner, with row #1. There’s only one square in this first row. You’ll increase by 1 for row #2, and again for row #3. Once we hit the corners, it’s time to decrease. That means that row #4 has only two squares and row #5 has only 1 square (just like row #1).
If you wanted to create a larger square or even a rectangle, you can use a spreadsheet program (like Excel or Google Sheets) to design your own c2c chart. Use the paint bucket tool to mark the cells with your desired colors.
There are also crochet-specific programs, like StitchFiddle.com, which has both free and paid versions. I used Stitch Fiddle to create the chart you see above.
Now that we’ve seen the chart for our practice square, it’s time to start crocheting!
Corner-to-Corner Crochet Video Tutorials
Right-handed:
Left-handed:
Increasing – Step-by-Step Tutorial
We’ll start off with ROW 1, which is only one tile. However, this technique will be repeated at the start of all increase rows.
ROW 1 (inc): ch 5 (or 6) [a.] dc in the third (or fourth) ch from your hook. dc across. (4) [b.]
ROW 2 (inc): ch 5 (or 6) [c.] dc in the third (or fourth) ch from your hook. dc across. [d.]
sl st to the top of tch from ROW 1 [e.] ch 2 [f.], dc 3 into the ch sp.
ROW 3 (inc): ch 2, dc into third ch from hook. 3 dc into ch sp. [g.] sl st to the top of tch from ROW 2. [h.]
ch 2, 3 dc into ch sp, sl st to the top of tch from ROW 2. [i.] ch 2, 3 dc into ch sp. [j.]
Note: If you wanted to create a larger square, you could continue this pattern until you reach the desired size. For example, if you wanted to crochet a fourth row with four tiles, you’d start with your increase tile (ch 2, dc into third ch from the hook, 3 dc into the ch sp), then repeat *sl st into top of tch from previous row, [ch 2, 3 dc into ch sp]* three times, until you’ve finished the row
However, we’ll stop increasing and move onto the decrease rows.
Decreasing – Step-by-Step Tutorial
Interior tiles in decreasing rows are the same as those in increasing rows. The only difference is how you start the first tile in each row. With increase rows, we chained five and made a new block. With decrease rows, we’ll slip stitch across the last block to start further into our project. It won’t get any bigger, and if we continue this method, we’ll eventually end up with one block (just like in ROW 1).
ROW 4 (dec): Turn. sl st in next 4 dc (from the last block of ROW 3). [k.] ch 2, 3 dc into ch sp, sl st to the top of tch from ROW 3. [l. & m.] ch 2, 3 dc into ch sp, sl st to the top of tch from ROW 3.
ROW 5 (dec): Turn. sl st in next 4 dc. [n.] ch 2, 3 dc into ch sp, sl st to the top of tch from ROW 4. FINISHING: Turn. sl st in next 4 dc. Trim yarn and weave in ends.
That’s it, friends! You have all the information needed to corner-to-corner squares of all sizes. Thanks for reading!
Hopefully this stitch tutorial helped you master the corner-to-corner crochet technique. Now that you know how to c2c crochet squares, you can make all sorts of sweet patterns like the ones below.
Free c2c Patterns
- Madigan Blanket from Meghan Makes Do [super cute scrapghan for stash busting]
- Free Range Kimono Cardigan from Make and Do Crew [oversized cardigan made of several c2c rectangles]
- Peace Orchard Infinity Scarf from The Stitchin’ Mommy [colorful corner-to-corner crochet scarf]
- Quilt Block Pillow from You Should Craft [made from eight striped squares – photo below]
