Tips and tricks for improving your C2C skills
Do you want to master your corner-to-corner crochet (C2C)? This popular technique is a great way to make blankets, scarves, and other colorful crochet patterns.
C2C crochet is the perfect technique for creating pixel-art style graghans. It is also a great way to use up scraps of yarn. You can change colors every row, or every few rows, to create a colorful and unique project. Here are a few tips for corner-to-corner crochet. These will help you avoid some of the most common mistakes, and make your C2C projects look even better!
Print out the C2C design chart so you can use it as a guide while you work.
Highlight or underline the row you’re working on so that it’s easy to see where you are in the pattern. Or, cross out each row as you finish working it.
If you’re working with multiple colors, organize your yarn on bobbins or clips. This will help you keep track of your yarn, and keep it from getting tangled.
You don’t have to cut the yarn every time you change color. If your design has larger blocks of color, leave the old color attached so that you can come back to it on the next row. On the next row, when you get back to that section of color, pick up the old color again with the standard color-change technique.
To reduce the number of color changes you need to make, you can carry your yarn along to the next section where you’ll be using it. I recommend carrying the yarn when you only have to move it over one or two tiles, and only if the color you are carrying will be touching a tile of the same color.
Can I use any yarn/size hook with C2C crochet?
Yes, you can use any yarn or size hook with C2C crochet. Just be sure to use a hook that’s appropriate for the yarn weight you’re using.
Most C2C patterns are designed for DK weight or worsted weight yarn, so you’ll need a crochet hook in the 4.0mm to 6.5mm range.
My tiles look a little loose, and the ch-3-spaces look a little “holey”.
The traditional way to make a C2C increase is to Ch 6 at the start of the row, and Ch 3 to start each tile. This makes sense, since we usually chain 3 to start a new row of double crochets. But, if your work is looking a little too loose or “holey”, you might want to Ch 5 at the beginning of the row and Ch 2 to start each tile. (This would mean you’d Ch 5 and DC in the 3th chain from the hook, and in each of the 2 remaining chains.)
When working a C2C project, how do I know when to start decreases?
If you’re making a square project, you’ll start decreasing when your project reaches the widest point (which will be the diagonal of the square.) You can start decreasing when your project is as large as you’d like it to be.
How do I make a rectangle in C2C crochet?
To make a rectangle, you’ll start crocheting like usual, increasing on both sides until you reach one corner of the rectangle. You then begin decreasing on that side, while still increasing on the other side. This will grow the length of the project without increasing the width. Then, when you reach the next corner, you’ll start decreasing on both sides until you reach the end.
Do I have to carry the yarn?
No, you don’t have to carry the yarn. You can always cut the yarn and join in a new strand when you need to change colors. Carrying the yarn is just a way to save time and reduce the number of ends you’ll have to weave in at the end.
