Palettes: Generic yarn, DMC · 10–200 blocks wide · up to 30 colours
Free c2c crochet patterns to start with
What makes C2C different
Corner-to-corner crochet is worked in small blocks, usually three double crochet stitches (US terms) wrapped around a chain space. Rows run diagonally, starting from one corner of the piece and growing outward. Because every block is a separate little square, the fabric behaves like a grid, and a graph of coloured squares translates almost directly into a finished blanket. Crocheters often call a picture blanket made this way a graphghan.
C2C appeals to crocheters who want to make a picture without learning tapestry or intarsia techniques. Baby blankets with a name, cushion covers with a pet portrait, and sports-team-colour throws are all common projects. It is also a good next step for anyone confident with basic stitches who wants a larger, more personal project.
Planning a graph
Size in blocks. The number of blocks sets both how big the piece is and how much detail fits. Block size depends on your yarn and hook, so crochet a small swatch, measure one block, and divide the width you want by that. A graph between 40 and 80 blocks wide is common for baby and lap blankets; anything over 120 is a long project. The default here is 60 blocks wide.
Colour count. Each colour change involves a new bobbin or a join, and the more colours, the more ends to weave in. Graphic designs and lettering work well with 3 to 6 colours. Photo-based portraits generally need more, but try to stay under 15 unless you enjoy managing bobbins.
Yarn. The palette is 48 generic yarn shades, named descriptively rather than tied to any brand, so you can match them to the yarn you can get. If you prefer to colour-match against a fixed reference, you can switch to the DMC® palette as a proxy.
Where each tool fits
The photo to C2C graph tool reduces a picture to a limited set of yarn shades and shows a realistic preview of crocheted blocks alongside the graph. Confetti cleanup is especially valuable for C2C because a single isolated block of colour means a separate tiny bobbin or carried yarn.
The text tool sets names and words in pixel fonts with optional borders. It is ideal for baby blankets with a name, or a word cushion.
The C2C editor lets you draw a graph from scratch, combine a word with a motif, or replace one shade with another across the whole graph.
Every graph comes with written diagonal row instructions that start bottom right and alternate direction, plus a block count and a yarn estimate per colour, based on a yarn-per-block figure you can change. The guide to reading C2C graphs explains how the rows map onto the grid.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Skipping the test swatch. Block size and yarn per block vary a lot between crocheters. A ten-minute swatch saves a blanket that ends up far bigger or smaller than planned.
- Using a photo with a busy background. Clear subjects on plain backgrounds convert to cleaner graphs with fewer scattered blocks.
- Leaving stray single blocks. Each one is a separate colour change. Clean them up in the editor or with confetti cleanup before you start.
- Underestimating yarn. The yarn estimate is a guide; buy a little extra of each colour, especially the background, from the same dye lot.
- Losing your place. Following the written rows and marking each one off as you finish it is easier than counting diagonals on a large chart.
Starting your first C2C graph
- Crochet a test swatch of a few blocks in your chosen yarn and measure one block.
- Decide the finished size and divide by the block size to get the number of blocks across.
- Upload a photo or type a word, and set the width and a modest colour limit.
- Tidy the graph in the editor, then enter your own yarn-per-block figure if you measured one.
- Download the PDF with the written rows, wind your bobbins, and start at the bottom right corner.
C2C crochet guides
Frequently asked questions
What does C2C stand for?
C2C means corner to corner. You start with a single block in one corner and work diagonally, adding one block to each row until you reach the widest point, then decreasing towards the opposite corner. Each block on the graph is one square of the finished piece.
Where do the written instructions start?
The written diagonal rows begin at the bottom right corner and alternate direction on each row, as most C2C graphs do. Each row lists the colour runs in the order you meet them, so you rarely need to count squares on the graph itself.
How is yarn worked out for each colour?
The tool counts the blocks of each colour and multiplies by a yarn-per-block setting, which starts at 0.9 m. Your own figure depends on your yarn, hook and tension, so crochet a few test blocks, measure the yarn they used, and enter that for a better estimate.
Which yarn colours can I choose from?
There is a palette of 48 generic yarn shades with descriptive names such as Pumpkin and Deep Teal, so you can match them to whatever brand you like. If you prefer, you can use the DMC® thread palette as a colour reference instead.
How many colours are sensible for a C2C blanket?
Every colour change means a new bobbin or a join, so many crocheters keep graphs between 4 and 10 colours. You can set anything from 2 to 30; photo-based graphs need more, simple graphics fewer.
Can I graph a rectangle instead of a square?
Yes. The width and height are independent, so a runner-shaped or portrait graph works. In C2C you simply start decreasing on one side before the other once you reach the shorter edge.
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