If you’ve been scrolling through crochet projects and keep seeing those gorgeous diagonal-square blankets, shawls, and dishcloths — you’ve been admiring the Corner-to-Corner (C2C) technique. And today, I’m walking you through it step by step.
My new YouTube tutorial is live! In it, we make a simple C2C dishcloth — it’s the perfect starter project because it’s small, practical, and gives you all the skills you need to tackle bigger C2C projects down the road. Speaking of bigger projects: if you’re ready to level up, check out my Corner to Corner Triangle Shawl pattern right here on the blog.
What is C2C crochet?
Corner-to-Corner crochet is a technique where you build your fabric diagonally — starting from one corner, increasing block by block until you hit the widest point, then decreasing back down to the opposite corner. Each “block” is a small cluster of stitches that creates that iconic pixel-quilt texture.
“It looks complicated, but once the rhythm clicks, it’s one of the most addictive stitches you’ll ever learn.”
It’s endlessly versatile — use it for dishcloths, blankets, bags, tapestry crochet, and yes, shawls. The same increase/decrease logic carries across every single C2C project, so what you learn today scales with you.
What you’ll learn in the video
- How to start a C2C project
- How to increase and decrease in C2C
- How to keep your edges straight
- Tips for beginner crocheters
- How to finish your dishcloth cleanly
I walk through every stage slowly and repeat the key moments so nothing gets lost. Whether you’ve never picked up a hook or you’ve just never tried this particular technique, this tutorial is built for you.
What you’ll need
- Cotton yarn (great for dishcloths — soft, durable, and washable)
- Crochet hook sized for your yarn (check the label)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
I recommend cotton for your first C2C project because it has great stitch definition — you can really see what’s happening as you work, which makes learning so much easier. It also means you end up with something genuinely useful for your kitchen or as a handmade gift.
Ready to go bigger?
Once you’ve got the dishcloth down, the C2C world opens right up. My Corner to Corner Triangle Shawl pattern uses the exact same technique scaled into something you’ll want to wear all autumn. It’s a beautiful next step and I’d love to see you make it.
Drop a comment on the video and let me know — is this your first C2C project, or are you coming back to the technique? And if you make the dishcloth, please share a photo on Instagram and tag me at @sambartleydesigns. Nothing makes my day like seeing your finished makes. 💛