How to Crochet a Circle

How to Crochet a Circle: The Ultimate Guide to Crochet Circles

Knowing how to crochet a circle is essential for creating countless crochet projects, ranging from a simple coaster to an impressive amigurumi animal. 

If you’re learning how to crochet, you will find many patterns that require you to know how to make a crochet circle. The craft of crochet is a needlework technique using a crochet hook and yarn.

Similar to learning to sew, learning to crochet has several benefits for your mental health. If you already know how to sew, crochet is a great technique to add to your skill set because many projects combine both crafts.

Crochet mandala crochet circle
Image source: Olino Hobby

Skills to Master Before Learning How to Crochet a Basic Circle

Before you’re ready to answer the question, “How do you crochet a circle?”, you should first know the basics of crochet and basic crochet stitches. The exact stitches needed will depend on the crochet circle technique you want to use, but at minimum you should know:

Additional tips for learning how to crochet a circle for beginners:

    • Start with a practice swatch. Don’t immediately try to learn how to make a round crochet in the middle of a project.
    • Just like new sewers use easier fabric types, beginner crocheters should focus on beginner-friendly yarns. Use a light-colored, low texture yarn while you practice. Lighter-colored yarns make it easier to see your stitches and your work.
    • Try out a variety of techniques for crocheting a circle. There are dozens of ways to crochet a circle, using different stitches and techniques. Each method will have its own challenges, advantages, and finished effects. Experiment until you find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to look for crochet tutorials and crochet patterns on the internet!

Crochet: How to Make a Circle

As mentioned earlier, there are many different methods for creating a crochet circle. When you’re first getting started, your first priority is finding a technique that’s simple and achievable. 

Crochet flat circle
Image source: Craftsy

As your crochet skills improve, you might find that you outgrow the basic circle technique. For now, let’s walk through the absolute basics of how to crochet a circle. 

The example below uses the double crochet stitch for example purposes, but by adjusting the number of chain stitches and turning chains, you can use these same steps to practice how to crochet a circle with single crochet.

Round perfect circle crochet
Image source: Every Trick On The Hook

How to Make a Crocheted Circle: Easy Practice (Double Crochet Example)

    1. Make a slip knot
    2. Form the starting loop by chaining four stitches. Your first stitch is known as the slip stitch.
    3. Insert your hook through the first chain stitch. Grab the working yarn on the other side. Pull the working yarn through the chain stitch and the loop on your hook.
    4. Find the center hole of your circle. You can do this by gently pulling the bunch apart until you see a hole in the center. To make the next steps easier, you can place a finger in this center hole.
    5. Chain stitch for your row height. (See the table below for a guide).
    6. Continue your stitch of choice (e.g. single, double, etc.). Use the center hole you found earlier as an anchor. Yarn over and then place your hook into the center hole. Pick up the yarn on the other side and pull it through your center whole.
    7. You should now have three loops on your hook. Catch the yarn and pull it through the first two loops. Catch the yarn once again and pull it through the last two loops on your hook.
    8. Repeat step seven several more times. See the charts below to see how many stitches you should have in round two, depending on your stitch. 

Round crochet perfect circle
Image source: Every Trick on the Hook

      9. Join the ends. Identify your chain of three that you made in step two. Place your hook into the third chain stitch, yarn over, and bring the yarn through the stitch and then through the loop on your hook.

How to crochet a circle
Image source: Every Trick on the Hook

      10. Continue stitching. Normally, you would be following a pattern. When creating a practice swatch, you can continue chaining (according to your row height) and stitch into the outside of the circle, adding a single chain about every three stitches. 

Please note that the instructions above are intentionally generic and won’t work for a specific pattern. You may have noticed that the number of chain stitches depends on the row height of your stitch. 

This is because you can use a variety of stitches to create a crochet circle. Check out the table below for a guide on how many chain stitches are needed depending on the primary stitch used.

Row Height / Stitch

Number of Chain Stitches

Single crochet (sc)

Chain 1

Half double crochet (hdc)

Chain 2

Double crochet

Chain 3

Triple / treble crochet (tr)

Chain 4

Double treble crochet (dtr)

Chain 5

How to Crochet a Flat Circle for Beginners

Perfect crochet circle difference
Image source: Fluffy Stitches

The technique above is excellent for practicing the general technique of crocheting a circle, but it often creates an uneven, wonky circle. Many crocheters find that their finished projects look more polished with a flat crochet circle. That is why we are here to teach you how to crochet circles so that you can make anything!

After you’ve practiced the basics of crocheting a circle, you’re ready to learn how to crochet a flat circle. Let’s get started with a few rules that will apply to every flat circle you crochet. These rules will never change, regardless of your yarn size or hook size.

    1. Before beginning, ensure you know how many stitches you should start your circle with. This will depend on the stitch you plan to use in your circle. Review the table below for a summary of the proper way to start a flat crochet circle. Make sure you do not add too many stitches as this will create ruffling/ rippling.

Stitch Used

Number of Stitches in First Round

Single crochet (sc)

6 stitches

Half double crochet (hdc)

8 stitches

Double crochet (dc)

10 stitches

      2. You will always increase in every stitch in round two. In crochet, increasing means merging two stitches into one. How many stitches do you need to increase every round? It’s simple: increase by the same number of stitches that you started with. 

Counting crochet stitches and rows in the round
Image source: Sigoni Macaroni

In other words, in a double crochet circle you will start with ten double crochet stitches in the first round. You will then increase by ten stitches in round two for a total of 20 stitches at the end of your second round.

      3. Evenly space out your increases throughout each of your rounds. The easiest way to follow this rule is by remembering that for each new round the number of stitches between each increase goes up by one. 

Follow the chart below to keep track of how to space out your increases in rounds three through ten. If you want to learn how to crochet a large flat circle larger than ten rounds, then add an extra stitch in between increases each round.

Round Number

Number of Stitches Between Increases

Round Three

One stitch between increases

Round Four

Two stitches between increases

Round Five

Three stitches between increases

Round Six

Four stitches between increases

Round Seven

Five stitches between increases

Round Eight

Six stitches between increases

Round Nine

Seven stitches between increases

Round Ten

Eight stitches between increases

Keep these general rules and tables handy while you practice crocheting a flat circle. Always pay close attention to a pattern while crocheting your flat circle, as there may be important changes to these guidelines you need to follow. 

If you’re still not completely satisfied with your crochet circle, maybe try out a crochet magic circle for a more defined finished look. Let’s make this less abstract by putting all of this information together in two examples.

    1. How to Crochet a Flat Circle with Half Double Crochet. Follow the general steps of how to crochet a circle with these adjustments:
      • Chain stitch two after creating your center hole
      • Start with eight stitches in the first round
      • Increase in each stitch in round two for a total of 16 stitches at the end of round two.
      • In each round, continue to increase evenly according to the chart above. 

      2. How to Crochet a Flat Circle Using Double Crochet. Follow the steps to crochet a circle with these adjustments:

      • Chain stitch three after creating your center hole.
      • Start with ten stitches in the first round.
      • Increase in each stitch in round two. You should have a total of 20 stitches when you finish round two.
      • In each round, continue to increase evenly according to the chart above.
      • That’s it! You’ve just learned how to crochet a flat circle in double crochet.

What to Make with Crochet Circles

Crochet circles can be enjoyed on their own as coasters, hot pads, and more, although they’re most commonly used as foundations for more complex projects. 

Not sure how to put those beautiful crochet circles to use? Browse the list below for inspiration for your first project using a crochet circle.

      1. Circle blanket

Crochet circle blanket free pattern
Image source: Crochet Concupiscence

Learning how to crochet a circle blanket is a great place to start. The process is similar to crocheting a large flat circle. In fact, you don’t need to learn how to start a circle crochet blanket because the process is the same as starting a flat crochet circle.

Crochet circle blankets can be as simple or intricate as you wish. Add a custom woven label, and a crochet circle blanket makes an ideal housewarming gift.

      2. Boho purse

Street fair crochet hippie bag
Image source: Made And Do Crew

Two identical crochet circles are crocheted together to create this whimsical bag. This project puts a twist on a classic crochet circle with a charming pattern in the center. 

These bags would also make a great addition to a crochet store, especially when delivered with a professional, branded hang tag.

      3. Lacy crochet jacket

How to crochet a circle for beginners
Image source: Garn Studio

Wear your crochet circle with pride in this lacy, fanciful crochet jacket. Customize the look with your favorite color yarn for the ultimate statement layer. 

This unique jacket is delicate and airy. It’s also destined to be a best-seller in any crochet store, so don’t forget a custom care label encouraging your customers to take proper care of their jacket.

 

FAQ

What is the magic ring method?

With the magic ring method, you crochet the first round with an adjustable loop and then pull it tight so as to create a narrow, tight closure. And then six to eight single crochet stitches in the middle if you want to make a circle flat.

What is a HALF-DOUBLE crochet?

It is similar to two basic crochet stitches but with a third loop. It is taller than a single crochet stitch but shorter than double crochet.

How to create a continuous spiral?

Join the first stitch of your crochet and the last stitch with a slip stitch and you will be done! Check out a video tutorial for more details. You can also add more fun by using different colored yarns to create this.

 

Conclusion

Crocheting might look hard and difficult to master, but with a bit of practice, you can soon create crocheting circles, amigurumi toys, and anything your heart desires.

And once you run out of ideas, you can google free patterns online and crochet them!