How to Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet Easy Tutorial

Corner to corner crochet, also commonly called C2C is a very fun crochet technique.  In this post I will be going over exactly how to crochet corner to corner and all the details you will need to know to be successful in learning this new stitch.

I even included a step-by-step photo tutorial and a video tutorial to make sure you have everything that you need to learn how to crochet C2C.

It may seem like an intimidating crochet stitch, but it is a very beginner friendly concept.

What is Corner to Corner Crochet?

Crocheting corner to corner is just like it sounds, you crochet from one corner until you reach the opposite corner, in diagonal rows as opposed to crocheting the rows horizontally.

Each row is made up of a bunch of little squares that can also be referred to as tiles or blocks.  A lot of times you will crochet while referencing a pixel chart and changing colors for certain squares to form a picture or design within your work.

Once you get past the couple first rows, it will all be downhill from there!

Technically, you will be working a stitch that is referred to as the Diagonal Box Stitch.  There are 2 different ways to work this stitch up and that is to work it with either double crochet stitches or half double crochet stitches.  I prefer working up my C2C projects with the double crochet stitches as it works up quicker that way.

Most patterns will specify which stitch to use, so always be sure to check before starting your project.  But, I will say, that most (really all) the C2C patterns and projects that I’ve seen and done are all made with double crochets.  I actually don’t ever see any done with half double crochet, everyone always just lists it as another option.

What Can You Crochet With Corner to Corner Crochet?

There are so many different things you can make with the corner-to-corner crochet technique like blankets, scarves, afghans, washcloths and even hats.

One of the most common things that I see people make with corner to corner crochet is graphgans.  A graphgan is an afghan that you crochet using the corner to corner method and follow a pixel chart or a graph like this –

How to Read a C2C Pixel Chart

Don’t be worried about reading a corner to corner chart, it’s really not hard at all.  I like reading charts instead of the written pattern for C2C because I like to actually count the squares and compare my work to the chart to see how it’s working up.

The odd # rows are the right side of the project and the even # rows are the wrong side of the project.

The reason for following a chart is to know when to change colors to obtain a certain image in our graphgan.  

If you print out the chart, sometimes it can be very helpful to use a ruler to cross out the rows that you have already completed to know exactly where you are in the pattern.  

Some patterns, but not all of them may include written instructions that tell you how many squares of each color to do for each row.  This can be so helpful when working on a C2 C crochet pattern.

How to Create Your Own C2C Pixel Chart

Thankfully, there is a super easy way to make your own charts for corner to corner crochet.  There is a website called ‘Stitch Fiddle’ where you can design your own pixel charts or even upload a picture to make a pixel chart.  

It makes designing your own graphgan super simple and easy!  You can even use Stitch Fiddle to create Tapestry Crochet charts.  If you don’t know what Tapestry crochet is, check that out HERE!

I love using Stitch Fiddle to design some of my own grapghan patterns like my Christmas Tree Crochet Blanket.  I’m also working on one at the moment that is a Snowman Blanket.  

When working on a c 2 c project with a chart, it’s kind of like coloring by number but with crochet.  You follow the chart to know exactly when and where to add in a new color to create a specific design.  

It’s so much fun to see all the color changes take place and to see the design that you are creating really come to life!

Video Tutorial

If you are a visual learner or need help grasping any of the steps, be sure to watch my video tutorial for crocheting C2C!

How to Increase in Corner to Corner Crochet (C 2 C Increase)

All terms in this tutorial are US terms.  I used a worsted weight yarn and a 5.50 mm hook, but any weight yarn with a corresponding crochet hook will work.

Picture Tutorial –

You will start by making 1 square and each row you increase will add 1 additional square per row.  For the increase rows, whatever number row you are on is the number of blocks that you should have.  

Row 1 –

Make a slip knot and place it on your hook.  

Step 1: Chain 6

Step 2: double crochet in the 4th chain from hook and in the next 2 chain stitches.

1 square made. Row 1 complete.

Row 2 –

Step 1: chain 6

Step 2: double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in the next 2 ch stitches.

Step 3: Turn piece and slip stitch into the ch 3 space

Step 4: chain 3, 3 double crochet in chain 3 space

You have now completed row 2.

Row 3 –

Step 1: chain 6, double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in the next 2 ch stitches. 

Step 2: turn piece

Step 3: sl st into ch 3 space, chain 3, 3 double crochet in chain 3 space

Step 4: repeat step 3 until you work all the way across to the end of the row

You have now completed row 3. Continue repeating the steps for row 3 for each increase row.

How to Decrease in Corner to Corner Crochet (C 2 C Decrease)

Basically, when you start to decrease on C2C, you will be eliminating one square per row.

Decreasing in corner to corner crochet creates a flat edge for the side of the piece.  

To Decrease –

Step 1: ch 3

Step 2: turn and slip stitch into chain 3 space

Step 3: chain 3, 3 double crochet into chain 3 space

Step 4: slip stitch into the next chain 3 space and repeat step 3

Step 5: Continue repeating steps 3 & 4 across piece

When to Begin Decreasing?

You will want to start decreasing (which is basically eliminating 1 square per row) when your project reaches its widest and tallest point.

Decreasing for Squares

For a square C2C project, when you start to decrease, this is usually the halfway point in your project. 

You will be decreasing at both the beginning and ending of each decrease row.  This should eliminate 1 square per row.

You will decrease just like showed above and when you reach the very last square of the row, you will simply slip stitch into it (the chain 3 loop) and NOT work another square into it. This will create a flat edge on both sides as you decrease.

Decreasing for Rectangles

Decreasing for a C2 C rectangle is similar to decreasing with a square, and we will use the same techniques as we did for the increasing and decreasing of the square C2C piece.  

The only difference will be that for a section in the middle of the project, we will be increasing at one end of our row and decreasing at the opposite end of the same row.  This will keep our project from turning into a square shape.

So, while you are working the middle section of a rectangular C2C piece, your number of squares will remain the same for every row instead of increasing every row or decreasing every row.

This is where it is super handy to have a pixel chart to reference and look at, so you can see exactly where you need to increase or decrease at.  

For the chart above you would increase every row until you reached row 21. Then you would increase at the beginning or row 21 and decrease at the end of row 21. And, do the opposite on row 22.

You will decrease at the beginning of row 22 and increase at the end of row 22. You will alternate back and forth until you reach row 31 and then you will be decreasing of both sides.

How to Change Colors in C2C

When you reach the square that it is time to change colors on, you will actually want to start your color change on the square before you want the color to change.

So, in the very last double crochet stitch of the square before you want to change colors, you will use the new color to pull through the very last 2 loops of the double crochet like so –

This makes your colors to change very smoothly and look even.  This is actually a technique that I use to change colors in all of my pieces and you can see a more in depth tutorial of it HERE!

One of my Favorite Ways to do C2C Crochet

A fun way that I enjoy using the corner to corner stitch is making baby blankets with it.  It’s an easy and mindless stitch, once you get the hang of it.

I love using a striped or multi color yarn and watching each different colour work up as I go along.  

My favorite yarn to use for this stitch and making baby blankets is I Love This Yarn.  Whether you choose a solid, striped, speckled or multi color of this yarn, you can’t go wrong.

I’d love to see your creations that you make from all of my patterns, be sure to tag me @okiegirlblingnthings on Instagram so I can see. Whether you learned how to crochet corner 2 corner or something else entirely, tag me!