2 weeks Ago
A corner-to-corner crochet or knit project is one way to make a dishcloth, afghan squares and/or blanket. Often referred to as C2C, this type of pattern is made with an increase in the number of stitches along the first set of rows. Then, after a certain number of stitches are reached, the rows are then decreased by one stitch until you reach the opposite corner of the afghan.
I’ve often used scraps of yarn in the C2C afghan pattern to make multicolored afghans. Think of a diamond. You begin at the bottom point, increase to the center, then decrease to the opposite diamond point.
A simple knit/crochet example of a C2C is a beginner's garter stitch dishcloth. Using a four-ply cotton yarn and size 7 USA knitting needles, cast on four stitches. Knit four rows even (meaning no increase in stitches).
Increase section Row 1: Knit two stitches, make a yarn over — wrap the yarn around the knitting needle one time — and knit across the rest of the stitches. You now have five stitches on the knitting needles. Increase section Row 2: Knit two stitches, make a yarn over, and knit the remaining stitches along the rest of the row.
You now have six stitches on the needles. Continue to repeat Row 2 until you have the desired number of stitches on the needle. Each row will add one stitch to the row.
My personal preference is to make my dishcloths about 42-45 stitches across before I begin the decrease pattern rows. Decrease section, Row 1: Knit one stitch, knit the next two stitches together, make one yarn over, then knit the next two stitches together. The reason for the yarn over is to keep the edge with a consistent pattern of yarn-over stitches.
Continue working the decrease Row 1 until you reach the last five stitches. Next row: Knit 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, knit one stitch. Notice there is no yarn over used on this row.
Knit four rows even then bind off the stitches. The dishcloth is done. Weave in yarn ends.
This simple pattern can be used to make many different sizes of the home décor item. One year, I used up several small skeins of yarn by using the dishcloth pattern and then going around each dishcloth with a single crochet border. I then stitched several squares together and ended up making seven baby afghans to donate to charity.
Crochet C2C works similar to the knit version. Each row of crochet stitches is increased along the edge, until the widest part of the cloth. Then, sets of stitches are decreased until you reach the other point of the dishcloth.
For larger items, all you have to do is continue making the increases until the desired width of the afghan. For baby afghans, I will make the increase rows until I reach 175-200 stitches. Then decrease until I reach the same number as the first corner.
In the case of the dishcloth, I work it until there are four stitches left. Another thing I like is that I can make the dishcloth or squares any size. There’s not a lot of complicated stitches or patterns.
These also makes a good travel craft..
