Corner Start Stitch
(also called Diagonal Crochet Stitch)
photos & directions copyright 2001
For the Complete Written Instructions,
please click here!
I advise printing the Written Instructions,
and coming back here to follow the pictures
when you try the pattern for the first time!
Row 1 (square 1) - CH 6:

Skip first three chains, DC in 4th, 5th, & 6th chain from hook:

This completes the first square, and the first row! ;)

Row 2 - Ch 6:

Flip up first square:

Skip three DCs of first square. SL ST around the  CH 3 post of the 1st SQ:

CH 3, 3 DC down same post:

(That completes the 2nd Row)

Row 3 -  CH 6:

DC into 4th, 5th, & 6th CH from hook, turn work:

NOTE: do you notice how the *CH 6, DC in 4th, 5th, 6th, CH from HK*
series creates an *Increase Square* on that row?
This is considered an *Increase Row* because you are
increasing one square at the beginning of each row! ;)

Skip next three DCs.  SL ST around CH 3 post of next square.
**CH 3, 3 DC down same post.  Skip next three DCs.
SL ST around CH 3 post of next square:**

Repeat ** to **  of above square,  across each row:

Row 4-? - repeat Row 3 (Increase Row) until
work is as wide as required:

To continue working in *length* while maintaining
the same width - you need to do a
Decrease Row!
(Called that because you are NOT increasing
one square at the beginning of each row!) ;)
Decrease Row -  CH 3, Sk next 3 DCs.  SL ST around the
CH 3 post of previous row's first square,
Ch 3, 3 DC down post:

Skip next three DCs.  SL ST around CH 3 post of next square.
**CH 3, 3 DC down same post.  Skip next three DCs.
SL ST around CH 3 post of next square:**

ROW ? - finish - Continue by
ALTERNATING BETWEEN
*Increase Rows* (to make the rectangle
taller, but now wider) and
*Decrease Rows* (which will maintain the width)
until you
"close up" the afghan with the last square.

After Finishing last square - CH 3, turn, and SL ST
around CH 3 post of previous row.
This will even out the sides of the afghan:

(sample)

This stitch looks so pretty in variegated yarns too:

I hope this little "tutorial" has been of some help.
However,  I can't anticipate every problem you may personally
encounter with this stitch.
I had the good fortune of having a live person teach me the stitch -
and I know how difficult it can be to crochet from a
written pattern.
For the Complete Written Instructions,
please click here!