How to make a crochet graph from a photo
- Choose a clear picture. Simple shapes, bold contrast and a plain background make the cleanest graphs. Crop close to the subject first.
- Pick your technique. Choose C2C for blankets made of square tiles, tapestry crochet for bags, baskets and wearables, or graphgan for blankets worked row by row.
- Set the width. Enter how many tiles or stitches wide the finished piece should be. The height is worked out from your picture and gauge.
- Enter your gauge. Crochet a swatch and count stitches (or C2C tiles) and rows over 10 cm (4 in), so the graph has the same proportions as your fabric.
- Choose the number of colors. Fewer colors mean fewer yarn changes. Four to six colors suit most photo blankets.
- Edit, then crochet. Tidy stray squares, download the PNG, copy the written rows and use the row tracker to keep your place.
C2C vs. tapestry crochet vs. graphgan
| C2C (corner to corner) | Tapestry crochet | Graphgan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One graph square is | One tile (often 3 double crochet) | One stitch, usually single crochet | One stitch, often single crochet or Tunisian simple stitch |
| Worked | Diagonally from a corner | In rows or in the round | Row by row |
| Unused colors | Separate bobbins or carried | Carried inside the stitches | Usually separate bobbins |
| Best for | Blankets and pillows | Bags, baskets, hats, wearables | Detailed picture blankets |
Why stitch shape matters in a crochet graph
Most graph tools draw perfect squares, but crochet stitches are rarely square. Single crochet rows and stitches have their own proportions in every yarn and hook. If the graph shape doesn't match the stitch shape, a circle turns into an oval and faces look stretched.
This graph maker draws every square in the same proportion as the gauge you enter and resizes your picture to match. C2C tiles are close to square, so C2C graphs start with square cells.
How to read a C2C graph
- C2C is worked on the diagonal. Row 1 is a single tile in the starting corner.
- Each new row adds the next diagonal line of tiles. Rows grow by one tile at a time until you reach the full width and height of the graph, then they shrink back to one tile in the opposite corner.
- Counting tiles along a diagonal is easy to get wrong, so the written instructions list every diagonal row for you, for example Row 7 (7 tiles): 3 A, 2 B, 2 A.
- The row tracker highlights the whole diagonal you're working on.
How to read a tapestry crochet or graphgan chart
- Start at the bottom. Row 1 is the bottom row of the graph.
- Worked flat: right-side rows are read from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right. Row numbers sit on the side where each row begins.
- In the round: every round is read from right to left.
- Tapestry stitches worked in the round tend to lean. Many crocheters work into the back loop or use a different single crochet method to reduce the lean.
Fewer color changes, faster crochet
Every color change costs time and adds ends to weave in. Under the graph, the tool shows how many color changes your busiest row has. If a row is too busy, reduce the number of colors, turn on Remove stray single squares, or paint over tiny details by hand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn a picture into a crochet pattern?
Upload the picture, choose C2C, tapestry or graphgan, set how many squares wide the graph should be, and pick the number of colors. The graph maker resizes the picture to your gauge, reduces the colors and gives you a graph plus row-by-row written instructions you can edit and download.
What is the difference between C2C, tapestry crochet and a graphgan?
C2C (corner to corner) is worked diagonally in small square tiles, so each square on the graph is one tile. Tapestry crochet is usually single crochet with the unused colors carried inside the stitches, worked in rows or rounds. A graphgan is a blanket worked row by row from a graph, often in single crochet or Tunisian simple stitch, usually changing colors with separate bobbins.
How do you read a C2C graph?
A C2C graph is read diagonally. Row 1 is a single tile in a starting corner, and each new row is the next diagonal line of tiles. Rows grow by one tile until you reach the full width and height, then shrink. This tool lists every diagonal as a written row so you don't have to count squares on the graph.
Why does the graph use rectangles instead of squares?
Crochet stitches are rarely perfectly square. The graph draws each cell in the same proportion as the stitch and row gauge you enter, so the picture on screen matches the finished fabric. C2C tiles are close to square, so C2C graphs use square cells by default.
Is this crochet graph maker free?
Yes. You can create, edit and download graphs as PNG images and copy the written instructions for free, with no sign-up and no watermark.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser and your photo never leaves your device. Your latest graph is saved only in your own browser.
How much yarn will I need for each color?
Crochet a 10 by 10 cm swatch in your stitch, measure or weigh how much yarn it used, and enter that length. The tool then estimates the yarn for each color from its share of the graph. Add some extra for color changes and tails.
Want a ready-made design? Browse our free C2C graphs, like the heart, sunflower and cat face, or the checkerboard tapestry pattern.
Knitting instead? Try the Knitting Chart Maker, with float warnings for stranded colorwork.