Convert a C2C Graph to Double Crochet

Want to know how to convert a C2C Graph to Double Crochet? That is what I am going to show you. Read on to learn all the tips and tricks of this easy technique or watch the 4 part video tutorials.

Plus you will not need to know how to Corner to Corner crochet to use this technique.

C2C (or Corner to Corner) crochet graphs have taken the crochet world by storm. It is no wonder with all the amazing designs popping up on Pinterest.

I have to confess I am a huge C2C fan, but I do not always in the mood for Corner to corner crochet. That is why I created a way to convert a C2C graph to Double Crochet.

Keep reading to learn:

– The Difference Between C2C and Double Crochet Projects.

– The C2C Graph to Double Crochet Conversion formula.How to get the right gauge so your Double Crochet Project is the same size as the C2C project was intended to be.

– How to adjust your graph for Double Crochet using the Flamingo Mini Wall Hanging graph as an example. Download the graph below.

– Tips and Tricks to know to make your project easier.

Use this technique for a graphgan, holiday banner, table runner, blankets and so much more. If you need some Corner to Corner inspiration check out all my C2C Designs.

For this project we will be using this Mini Flamingo Wallhanging as an example. You can download the graph below to follow along.

This post may contain Affiliate links. For more information refer to my Disclosure Policy.

How to Convert a C2C Graph to Double Crochet

C2C vs. DC

Before we get into converting a C2C graph to a double crochet graph, let us take a quick look at why we would want to do this.

Now I am not going to list these ideas as pros or cons. Because sometimes I feel like doing something one way and other times I like to do it another. Honestly, it will depend on how you are feeling as to which technique you choose to use. But here are some differences to consider.

Of course if you don’t know how to Corner to Corner crochet then this technique will give you a chance to use all the beautiful graphs available. If you want to learn corner to corner crochet, check out the Corner to Corner Crochet for Beginners Tutorial.

Do you want Texture? Yes or No

Corner to Corner crochet has a beautiful texture to it, while double crochet has a more uniform, flat and smooth feel to it. Also in the same effect C2C crochet can be a little more rigid versus the nicer drape in simple double crochet. Which would you like for your project?

Gaps?

While creating a Corner to Corner crochet tutorial, the biggest question I heard was, “Is there a way to reduce the gaps?” C2C crochet has us working around a chain 3 turning chain and this leaves a gap making C2C less favorable for projects like bags.

Double crochet, on the other hand has less gapping than the chain 3 in C2C crochet. This may be beneficial in certain projects like purses and will reduce the need for a liner.

TIP: If you have never lined a bag before, you should really give it a try. You can learn how to add a fabric liner to a tote bag in the Teacher’s Modern Tote Bag pattern.

Pin this Tutorial for Later!

Diagonal vs Horizontal Rows?

Another difference between C2C Graphs and Double Crochet graphs are how they are read and worked. A corner to corner crochet graph is worked on a diagonal (or bias).

This means you will start in on corner and work at a diagonal to the next. Some people find this very challenging. If you do not take the time to write out your pattern and try to only work from the graph you can sometimes make a mistake and have to frog serveral rows to fix it.

EXAMPLE: So I hate to admit it but I was working off just the graph for this Flamingo wall hanging and after I finished my last square, I realized that the legs were on backwards. I got turned around for one row and had to frog half the project. At least this is a quick and easy project that is perfect for practicing this technique.

With double crochet you will be working from the left to right (or right to left for left handers) and bottom to top. This makes it much easier to see if you have made an error in your pattern. It also tends to make carrying your yarn easier and give you fewer ends to weave in.

Gauge

The C2C graph to Double Crochet Conversion formula

Gauge is something most people like to skip, but in this technique it is very important.

Before we jump into gauge we will need to understand the formula for converting C2C to double crochet

Here it is:

2 Double Crochet Stitches X 1 Double Crochet Row = 1 C2C Square

Now, I know C2C uses 3 double crochet to create a square, but that won’t work for double crochet. You see, in corner to corner crochet we work around a turning chain and not into the top of a stitch. Because of this the entire double crochet is visible and therefore taller. To compensate for this extra height, 3 double crochet are worked for every square. Then the entire square is smooshed a bit to create the pretty C2C texture.

When working a basic double crochet you work into the top of the stitch making the stitch appear smaller than it is. The height of the exposed part of the double crochet is the same as the width of two double crochet.

With this in mind, I created the formula above for the following technique.

Gauge

There is two things to consider when thinking about gauge for this technique. First is our gauge swatch a square and second is it the same gauge as the intended project.

For this example I am using worsted weight yarn (Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie) and a size G hook for the C2C sample.

Let’s make a gauge swatch. The gauge for my C2C swatch and the C2C Flamingo Mini Wall hanging pictured in this post is:

7 squares x 7 squares = 4 inches x 4 inches

Please know that you do not need to work up a C2C gauge swatch to compare to your double crochet swatch. You only need to know the gauge.

Our double crochet gauge swatch will be the number of squares wide times 2, because 2 double crochet is the same width as one square. We will have the same number of rows as the square sample height because one row equals 1 square.

Our sample swatch for the Double Crochet sample will be:

14 Double crochet wide x 7 Rows tall.

I made a double crochet sample swatch using a G hook (3.5mm hook). The first thing I want to check with the sample swatch is if the swatch was square. This swatch measured 3.5 inches wide by 3.25 inches tall. This may not seem like a huge difference but this difference is creating a rectangle instead of a square and will be seen in the final graph.

Here is an example of what the flamingo will look like with this gauge.

Luckily we can easily solve this small difference by blocking and stretching the final project to have the correct gauge.

The second issue we have to address is that the gauge is smaller than it is intended to be. The final sample after stretched is 3.5″ x 3.5″ and it is suppose to be 4″ x 4″. Depending on the project this may be ok but if you are making a bag or blanket this may lead to a huge finished size difference.

You can see in the picture below how much of a difference this G hook Dc sample swatch is from the G hook C2C sample swatch. If we worked the graph up in a G hook the finished graph would be 5.5″ wide by 9.5″tall, instead of 6.25″ wide by 10.75″ tall.

To fix this you will want to make a second sample swatch with a larger hook size. I used a size H hook for the blue sample and after blocking the sample swatch it measured 4″ x 4″. With a size H hook my Double Crochet Flamingo wall hanging will be the same size as my C2C Flamingo wallhanging.

Convert a C2C Graph to Double Crochet: Changing the Graph

I will be using the C2C Flamingo Mini Wallhanging to demonstrate the changes made to the C2C graph. You can download that graph here:

Flamingo C2C Graph

If Flamingoes are not your style you can use one of these C2C Washcloth / Pot Holder Patterns below. They are designed to be great beginner patterns.

To convert a C2C graph to a double crochet graph the first thing you will want to do is take a ruler and a pencil and mark an vertical line cutting every square in half vertical. This will help remind you that each rectangle represents two double crochet.

If your graph has numbers along the bottom or top, just scratch those out. They will not help you when working the graph as a double crochet graph.

Now look over the graph carefully for very steep vertical angles. There may be one of two occasions where you may choose to change the color of a stitch to improve the angle. This is better shown in the video tutorial.

The next thing you may choose to do, is to write out your pattern so that it is easier to follow. Make yourself a key with a letter representing each color in the graph and start counting how many square you will make of each color. I show the entire process in the video above.

If you do not do this you will want to make arrows at the beginning of each row to indicate which way the row is worked and mark off each row after you complete it to help keep track.

Lastly, you will want to write out your basic double crochet pattern. First count the number of stitches you will need for each row then add the number of turning chains you will need.

I like to use 2 chains as my turning chain for double crochet and I do not count my turning chain as a stitch.

So for me: (11 squares x 2 Dc per square) + 2 Turning Chains = A starting chain of 24.

From here I like to write out my basic pattern. This pattern will look like this.

Ch 24

R1: Dc in the third Ch from the hook, and in each Ch across.

R2-19: Ch2, turn, Dc in each St across. (22sts)

Now you are ready to start crocheting.

Tips and Tricks to make your Project Easier

Before you get started I wanted to share a few tips and tricks to make your project easier. First if you want to keep your colors tangle free check out my Printable Yarn Bobbins. They are a great way to keep your yarn organized. All this tips will be demonstrated in the video below.

Carrying Your Yarn

The nice thing about the double crochet graph is that you will have less yarn ends to weave in because you will be able to carry the yarn more.

Carrying you yarn means keeping the yarn attached, laying the yarn over the stitches you are about to work into and crocheting over that yarn with the new color you are using. This is a very handy skill to know. It reduces the number of ends you will weave in.

But I only recommend carrying your yarn when the stitches you are carrying the yarn over are the same color as the yarn you are carrying. This will help that yarn blend into the stitches of the previous row.

If the yarn is a different color then the stitches it is being carried over, it is best to just clip the yarn and start is again the next time the color is needed. You don’t want to decide later, when the project is finished, that you do not like the color peaking through.

For more tips on carrying the yarn you can watch the time-lapse video above.

Cross off worked Rows

A great trick to help you keep track of where you are in the graph is to cross off each row after you crocheted it. If you want to use the graph more than once, put the graph in a sleeve protector and use a dry erase marker to mark off each row as it is worked. Then you can erase it all when you are done and reuse the graph.

I hope this technique opens up new possibilities for your crochet journey. I would love to see which graph you convert from C2C to double crochet. Share your project with me by tagging me on social media with @windingroadcrochet or #windingroadcrochet .

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