How to read a C2C pattern
How to Read a C2C Crochet Pattern
If you are new to corner-to-corner crochet, reading a C2C pattern can seem a little confusing at first. Once you understand what the squares and numbers mean, it is actually quite simple.
A C2C pattern is a visual representation of your crochet pattern. Each square represents one C2C block, and each colour on the pattern tells you which colour yarn to use.
What Do the Squares Mean?
Every square on the pattern represents one C2C block.
If your pattern is 20 squares wide and 20 squares high, your finished design will be 20 blocks wide and 20 blocks high.
The coloured squares show you which colour to use for each block. If several squares next to each other have the same colour, you will be able to work those blocks without changing colour.
Where Do You Start?
C2C patterns are usually worked diagonally, starting in the bottom right corner and increasing until you reach the widest part of the design.
Most C2C patterns have numbers along the sides. These numbers show you which diagonal row you are working on.
You normally start with Row 1, which consists of just one block. Row 2 has two blocks, Row 3 has three blocks, and so on.
Once you reach the desired width, you start decreasing again until you reach the opposite corner.
In the first half of a C2C pattern, each diagonal row usually gets one block longer. These are your increases.
Once you have reached the widest part of the design, the rows start getting shorter again. These are your decreases.
When reading the pattern, you can use the number of squares in each diagonal row to see whether you are increasing or decreasing.
How Do You Follow the Pattern?
Work through the pattern one diagonal row at a time.
Start at the bottom right corner and follow the squares diagonally. When you reach the end of a diagonal, move to the next row.
It can help to mark each completed row with a pencil, highlighter, or digital marker. This makes it much easier to keep track of where you are, especially when working on a larger design.
What About Colour Changes?
The pattern shows you when to change colours.
For example, if you are working a row with three blue blocks followed by two white blocks, you will work the three blue blocks first and then change to white for the next two blocks.
When a colour is only used for one or two blocks, you may need to attach a new strand of yarn. When a colour is used again nearby, you may be able to carry or pick up the yarn instead, depending on the design.
Try not to carry yarn across large sections of the pattern, as this can create long floats on the back of your project and use more yarn than necessary.
A Helpful Tip for Beginners
When following a C2C pattern, don't try to look at the entire picture at once. Concentrate on one diagonal row at a time.
Once you have worked through a few C2C projects, reading a pattern becomes much more intuitive. You will quickly learn to recognise the increases, decreases, colour changes, and diagonal direction without having to think about every individual square.
Here is a useful video on Youtube to help you (not mine): Video
I like this one as wel (not mine): Video 2
Ready to Try a C2C Pattern?
If you are ready to practise reading a C2C pattern, have a look at my free C2C crochet patterns. They include a range of simple and fun designs that are great for practising colour changes and following a pattern.
How to Change Colours in C2C
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©Kate's Cozy Crochet
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