Sunset Drift C2C Striped Blanket Free Pattern – Modern Corner-to-Corner Crochet

Wrap yourself in the warm gradient of a hand-crafted corner-to-corner blanket, where soft stripes mimic the sky's evening glow. This easy, repetitive pattern is perfect for mindful crafting and creates a stunning, modern heirloom piece. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or a brave beginner looking for a rewarding project, the Sunset Drift blanket is designed to be your new favorite make. The corner-to-corner (C2C) technique is surprisingly simple once you grasp the rhythm, and the result is a dense, textured, and beautifully drapey throw that will elevate any living space.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the specified yarn weight and hook size is crucial to achieving the correct gauge and the cozy, substantial feel of the original design.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or acrylic blend in 5 colors:
  • A (Cream) – approx. 400g
  • B (Soft Peach) – approx. 300g
  • C (Coral) – approx. 300g
  • D (Dusty Rose) – approx. 300g
  • E (Terracotta) – approx. 300g
• Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional, but helpful for counting rows).

Gauge: 4 c2c blocks = 4 inches (10 cm) in c2c pattern. Always check your gauge to ensure your blanket turns out the correct size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This blanket is worked diagonally from corner to corner (c2c) using the double crochet block method. Each 'block' is made of ch 3, 3 dc (except the first block of each row which is ch 6, 4 dc). Increases are made at the start of each row until the widest point, then decreases begin. Color changes occur at the end of a row (when pulling up the loop for the last dc of the block) to create clean, crisp stripes.

Understanding the C2C Basics

Before you start, let's break down the anatomy of a C2C block. A standard block consists of a chain-3 space (which acts as the "corner" of the block) and 3 double crochet stitches. The first block of every row is special: it uses a chain-6 and 4 double crochet to create the "step up" to the new row. When you see "sl st into the ch-3 space," you are joining your new block to the previous row's block.

Foundation & Increasing (Rows 1-30)

We will start at the bottom-left corner and increase one block per row until we reach the widest point of the blanket (30 blocks across).

Row 1: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch (this creates your first block). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch (this is block 1 of this row). Sl st into the ch-3 space of the previous row's block (the space created by the ch-3 in Row 1). Ch 3, 3 dc in same space (this is block 2). Turn. You now have 2 blocks.

Row 3: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch (block 1). *Sl st into next ch-3 space, ch 3, 3 dc in same space* repeat from * to * across to the end of the row (you will make 2 more blocks, for a total of 3 blocks). Turn.

Rows 4-30: Continue increasing in this exact manner, adding one block per row. Always start with the ch-6 block, then work your way across the row, joining each new block to the ch-3 space of the block below. By the end of Row 30, you will have 30 blocks across the diagonal. This is the widest point of your blanket.

Color Stripe Sequence

To achieve the beautiful sunset gradient, you will follow a specific color sequence. The key to a clean color change in C2C is to make the switch on the last yarn over of the last double crochet of a block. When you are about to complete the final dc of a block, yarn over with the new color and pull through the last two loops on your hook. This seamlessly blends the colors.

Here is the exact sequence for the increasing side:

• Color A (Cream): Work Rows 1 through 6.
• Color B (Soft Peach): Work Rows 7 through 10.
• Color C (Coral): Work Rows 11 through 14.
• Color D (Dusty Rose): Work Rows 15 through 18.
• Color E (Terracotta): Work Rows 19 through 22.
• Repeat the sequence: Now, continue with Color B (Rows 23-26), Color C (Rows 27-30).

Note: You will reach the widest point (Row 30) partway through the sequence. That's perfectly fine. Simply continue the sequence in reverse order for the decreasing side, starting from where you left off.

Decreasing (Rows 31 onwards)

Once you've completed Row 30, it's time to start decreasing. Instead of adding a new block at the start of each row, you will slip stitch across the first block to "skip" it, effectively removing one block per row.

Row 31 (and all subsequent decreasing rows): Sl st across the first block (sl st in each dc and in the ch-3 space) to reach the second block. Ch 3, 3 dc in that ch-3 space (this is your first block of the row). Then continue across as before (sl st into next ch-3 space, ch 3, 3 dc in same space) until you reach the end of the row. Turn. This decreases one block per row.

Continue Decreasing: Repeat this decreasing row, following the color sequence in reverse order. For example, if you ended the increasing side on Color C, you would continue with Color D, then E, then A, B, C, etc. Continue decreasing until only 1 block remains. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Border

The border is what gives the blanket a polished, finished look. It also helps to stabilize the edges and prevent them from stretching out.

Round 1: With Color A (Cream), attach your yarn to any corner of the blanket. Work a single crochet (sc) border around the entire blanket. In each corner, work 3 sc in the corner stitch to create a smooth, rounded turn. Along the straight edges, work 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-3 space. This will give you a consistent, even edge.

Finishing: Join with a slip stitch to the first sc, fasten off, and weave in all remaining ends. Give your blanket a gentle block (if needed) to even out the stitches, and your Sunset Drift blanket is ready to be draped and enjoyed!

This pattern is a labor of love, but the repetitive nature of C2C makes it a wonderfully meditative project. The result is a stunning, modern heirloom piece that captures the warmth of a sunset in every stitch. Happy crocheting!