It’s hard to overestimate the value of a crochet circle. Whenever you are making a coaster, amigurumi, hat, or basket, a crochet circle is a must. But if you’re just starting, it’s easy to fall into a few traps that make your circles wobbly, uneven, or full of holes. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. But first, let’s start with how to make a basic crochet circle, and then we’ll master it. Next, we will discuss the best ways to start a circle, how to make different circles depending on the stitch you are using, and common mistakes made while crocheting in rounds.
Quick Start: Double Crochets Circle Basic Method (stacked increases and why they may not always work)
Stacked increases mean that each increase stitch is worked directly (stacked!!) on top of the preceding increase. Generally, increases shouldn’t be stacked since they don’t enable you to make an even circle, but they are useful for explaining how to work in rounds. I’ll explain rotations, the solution to the stacking problem, below.
The double crochet circle is the easiest one. It grows fast, and stitches are tall and easy to count. Here is an easy technique to explain how to work in rounds:
Abbreviations
- Ch = Chain stitch(es)
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- Dc = Double Crochet Stitch
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- inc= increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
Start with a magic ring (or ch4 and sl st into the 1st ch to create a ring instead).
Each round starts with Ch3, which is counted as the 1st dc.
Round 1 12 dc, sl st at the top of ch3 {12 dc}
Round 2 2 sts worked into each st of the round 1, sl st {24 dc}
Round 3 (dc, inc) which means ch3 and inc in the next stitch, repeat *(dc,inc) all the way around, sl st {36 dc}
Round 4 *(2 dc, inc) which means 1dc into the first 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next st – repeat all the way around, sl st {48 dc}
Round 5 *(3 dc, inc) which means 1dc into the first 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next st – repeat all the way around, sl st {60 dc}
Round 6 *(4dc, inc) which means 1dc into the first 4 stitches, 2 dc into the next st – repeat all the way around, sl st {72 dc}
Round 7 *(5dc, inc) which means 1dc into the first 5 stitches, 2 dc into the next st – repeat all the way around, sl st {84 dc}
As you can see, this method works OK for a 7-round double crochet circle and creates reasonable V-shape symmetry lines across the circle. Starting from Round 3, the number of stitches between increases by one:
- Round 3 → 1 stitch between increases
- Round 4 → 2 stitches between increases
- Round 5 → 3 stitches between increases
- Round 6 → 4 stitches between increases
- Round 7 → 5 stitches between increases
You will be perfectly fine to use this method for smaller circles of double crochets and when you want to have nice symmetry lines (e.g., to highlight them in different colors).
However, if you are going to make a bigger one, each round will create more visible edges on the circumference. So, we need a more universal method than that. To keep the circle smooth and round, we have to rotate the increases – move them to different spots instead of stacking them directly on top of each other.
So, how to make a perfect circle no matter the stitch and number of rounds? Let’s explain it more clearly on a single crochet circle example.
What Is the Preferred Perfect Method for a Flat Circle (using the Single Crochet Circle as an example)?
Start with a magic ring (or ch4 and sl st into the 1st ch to create a ring instead).
Each round starts with Ch1. Ch1 at the beginning of a round does not count as a stitch. Each round, we finished with a slip knot with the beginning ch1.
Round 1 6sc, sl st at the top of ch1 {6sc}
Round 2 2sts worked into each st of the round 1 {12 sc}
Round 3 (sc, inc) repeat all the way around {18 sc}
Round 4 *(2 sc, inc) – repeat all the way around {24 sc}
Round 5 *(inc, 3 sc)– repeat all the way around {30 sc}
Round 6 (3 sc, inc), *(4sc, inc)-repeat * all the way around {36 sc}
Round 7 *(inc, 5 sc)– repeat all the way around { 42 sc}
Round 8 *( 4 sc, inc), *(6sc, inc)-repeat * all the way around {48 sc}
Round 9 *(inc, 7 sc)– repeat all the way around { 54 sc}
Round 10 *( 5 sc, inc), *(8sc, inc)-repeat * all the way around {48 sc}
Next rounds: For non-even rounds: start with inc and make 1st more in-between inc than in the previous round
For even rounds: Start with 1st more than in the last even round, inc, and make 1st more between inc than in the previous round.
You don’t have to follow this rule fully; you may move increases, as long as you follow the rule to add 1 stitch per round in between every increase.
How to Use the Magic Formula for a Flat Circle to other Stitches
In the first example above, we started a double crochet circle with 12 stitches, and the single crochet circle, with 6 stitches. That’s because the taller the stitch, the more increases are needed to increase the circumference to keep the circle flat. The magic formula for a flat circle is based on the number Pi, since the diameter of your circle grows with each round, the circumference of the circle grows as well (at a rate of the diameter x 3.1416).
Luckily, you don’t need to pull out a calculator every time you crochet a circle. Instead, there’s a simple rule of thumb that makes the process much easier. The number of increases you need in each round depends on the type of stitch you’re working with.
- Single crochet (sc): add 6 stitches in every round.
- Half double crochet (hdc): add 8 stitches per round.
- Double crochet (dc): add 12 stitches per round.
- Treble crochet (tr): add 16 stitches per round.
All the rules are gathered together with the table below: The Magic Formula to Crocheting a Flat Circle:
This guideline keeps your circle flat and evenly shaped, no matter which stitch you choose. Think of it as the “math of crochet circles”—once you know how many increases to add, you can create coasters, mandalas, or hats without guessing.
By the way, have you ever struggled to choose the right colors for your blanket? I always do! That’s why I plan them in advance to make sure I get the perfect result every time. I first design them using the Circle Blanket Color Generator— just pick a round blanket, your favorite yarn brand, and voilà!
Circle Color Generator: Pick a blanket type, number of rounds, and your favorite yarn brand palette — then generate your own blanket design!
Here’s a link to my design if you’d like to use the same colors:
PIN it for later:
