Tutorial - Corner to Corner (C2C)

This week let's focus on a popular technique for afghans and blankets... Corner to Corner aka C2C.

It's wonderful in solids, stripes, and "graphgans" - colorwork charts/graphs.  Since there are more questions about working a chart/graph, I'll follow one here.  But feel free to crochet along in a solid color and skip the color changes!

For me, the coolest thing about working corner to corner is the fabric...

Stitches worked diagonally make for softly rippled yet solid texture.

It is important to view your graph the same way you'll be working it, in this case on the diagonal, RS rows from right to left, WS rows from left to right.

I like to use two row markers, one above and one below my working row.

C2C always begins with increase rows, where you begin with chain 6 and work your first block in chains 4-5-6 from the hook and end with one last block worked into the far edge of the block in the previous row. This gives you one additional block on each end of your work and creates the smooth bottom and left edges.

Here's how to work a basic C2C block:

Find the chain 3 in the next block in the previous row, this is where you'll begin.

Slip stitch into that space:

Chain 3:

Work 3 double crochet (dc) into the same space, around the chain 3 in the row below.

Slip stitch into the next block and continue across the row. If you need to change colors for your next block, do it in the last yarn over of the last dc so that your slip stitch is in the new color.

Once you reach the widest point of your piece, you'll work in decrease rows, which means your row begins with slip stitches to the next chain 3 space:

Continues across the row as usual:

And ends with a slip stitch in the corner of the last block in the previous row.

Rather than work another block, chain one and turn.... slip stitching back to the chain 3 space to begin your next row.

When you've worked your final block, rotate the square so you can work one round of sc around all 4 sides.

This will smooth out the edge and make it easier to join or finish with an edging.

Need another view?  Let me show you!

Wondering what my project above might be?  It's part of my Harry Potter Tote, using the graphs available from Crafty Ridge. While you're there, check out her amazing graphgan!

I took it to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and filled it up with souvenirs!