Corner to Corner crochet

Corner to corner, often known as C2C, is a modern crochet standard pattern. Its most commonly used for blankets and cushions but can be used for so much more. It has a lovely close texture and is relatively simple to work.

The corner to corner pattern is worked starting at one point creating the first block and increase a block per row to the widest point then work even for a rectangle or decrease each side for a square, ending with just one block again.

C2C looks horrendously hard written down or charted but is marvellously simple once you have the hang of it (and not a little addictive!) The pattern lends itself well to working in stripes or using yarns with long colour changes. Worked at a slightly looser tension it makes a lovely scarf or cowl.

Stitches are only worked into chains or chain spaces, you'll never work into a treble in this pattern (apart from some possible slip stitching across) making it very suitable for finer yarns orthose with reduced vision.

Changing colour within rows is how you can achieve the popular graphgan blankets (Blankets with a pixelated picture in them. Designs can be charted out on square paper or using cross stitch patterns. Just work a full block in the colour for that square. If working a complex colour pattern it will be useful to wind small balls of each yarn for each section as you would do for intarsia.

How to:
Step 1: Using the colour you want in the corner block, chain 6.

Step 2: Starting in the 4th chain from the hook work three trebles, (one in fourth, one in fifth and one in sixth chains) This makes your first block and the first row. Turn the work over.

Step 3: We now start the next row, (I've joined in in a new colour) by chaining 6.

Step 4: Starting in the 4th chain from the hook make three trebles (one in fourth, one in fifth and one in sixth chains)

Step 5: Slip stitch into the top of the chain from the block below.

Step 6: Chain 3

Step 7: Work 3 trebles around the chain from the block below. Turn the work over. 

Step 8: To create a new row (I've used a different colour again to show you) work steps 3 to 7 then repeat steps 5 to 7 for each block to the end.

Step 9: Continue working step 8 until the piece is as wide as you want it to be, turning at the end of each row.

And that is how you increase in corner to corner crochet. 

To decrease is similar, 
Step 1: Either slip stitch across the trebles of the last block worked and into the chain space, or (as we have done here) join in the new colour at the top of the chain on the block below.

Step 2: Chain 3.

Step 3: Work 3 trebles around the chain from the block below.

Step 4: Slip stitch into top of the chain from the next block

Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 for each block to the last one, do not work into the chain of the last block, stop, fasten off the colour and turn the work over.

Step 6: Work steps 1 to 5 until you create a row with only one block in it.


If you fancy giving it a go we have two shawls that use the technique or a slightly modified version.

Deep Realm Scarf from Everyday Wearables 

and Abberley Shawl from Raw which uses the technique along side a notion of open blocks to create a corner to corner inspired lace.

This tutorial was originally written by Joanne and published in love crochet magazine. It is republished with permission.