Crochet a Perfect Circle: A Flat Design Guide

There is no way to get around it 😉 Crochet Circles are obligatory to learn if you want to make a round bag, blanket, coaster, amigurumi, etc.  

The ideal flat circle can be made using any stitch. All you need to remember is basic math – you have to increase on each round to make the circle flat. As the diameter of our circle grows, the circumference of the circle grows at a rate of the diameter times 3.14159 (do you remember the number Pi? We just celebrated its day on 03/14). So, the number of stitches in each round will depend on how tall the stitch is and differs depending on the stitch. The taller the stitch, the more increase we have to add per round.

The Principle of Flatness for a Perfectly Round Circle

Thankfully we don’t have to calculate the circumference each time we crochet. There is a rule of thumb on how many increases you need to add in each round depending on the stitch. For single crochet you have to add 6 sc in each round, for half double crochet – 8 more stitches in each round, double crochet circle increases 12 stitches in each round and treble crochet – 18.

I summarized it in the infographic below:

Remember, these rules allow you to avoid edge ruffles which will happen if you increase by too many stitches in a given round or curve, when the circumference is too small.

I will show you the above rules using the example of a double crochet stitch circle which is one of the most frequently used ones.

How To Crochet a Flat Circle in Double Crochet Stitch

A double crochet stitch circle is one of the most frequently used variants, so it is great stitch to learn how to crochet a circular patterns. 

Materials You’ll Need

• Yarn: The color and type are your preference, but a medium-weight yarn is suggested for beginners.
• Crochet Hook: Pick a size suitable for your yarn choice. Check yarn labels for hook size recommendations – you can vary these, but you’ll never go wrong by sticking to them.
• Scissors: For cutting the yarn at the end.
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends.

Abbreviations

• Ch = Chain stitches
• Sl St = Slip Stitch
• Dc = Double Crochet Stitch 
• Sc = Single Crochet Stitch
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• inc= increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)

Pattern Notes

The pattern is written in US terms. 

Each chain 3 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc.

A Basic Double Crochet Circle – Tutorial for Beginners

To make a simple solid circle from double crochet stitches, follow the crochet tutorial below:

Make a magic ring (or ch 4 and sl st into the first chain to create a ring instead).

Make the following number of stitches in each round:

Round 1: ch3, 11 dc in the ring, sl st at the beginning ch3 [12 dc]

Round 2: ch3, 1dc in the same st, 2sts worked into each st of the round 1, sl st at the beginning of a round [24 dc]

Round 3: ch3, *(inc, dc) – repeat from * around, sp st at the beginning of the round  [36dc]

Round 4: ch3, dc into the next st, inc, repeat (2 dc, inc) around, sl st into ch3 [48dc]

Round 5: ch3, 2 dc, inc, repeat (3 dc, inc) around, sp st into the beginning ch3 [60 dc]

Round 6: ch3, 3 dc, inc, repeat (4 dc, inc) around, sp st, into the beginning ch3 [72 dc]

Have you noticed the pattern? Starting from round 3, we delay our increase by 1 st. In round 3 we increase in every second stitch, in round 4- every third, in round 4, every fourth, and so on. Here is a double crochet circle I made for my Granny Circle Bag Free Pattern:

If you want to make your circle bigger, like for a rug or blanket, continue the pattern by adding 1dc before any inc for each round.

Round 7: (5dc, inc) around

Round 8: (6 dc, inc) around

… and so on.

Final Remarks

Ch 3 at the beginning always counts as the first DC of any round.

In the subsequent round, the total number of stitches increases by 12. Round 1 has 12 dc, round 2 has 24dc, round 3 has 36 dc, round 4 has 48 dc and so on, for every round just increase round by 12. I’ve demonstrated it on the photo below:

Flat Double Crochet Circle Diagram

For a better understanding of the pattern or an easy remake of a circle, I draw a diagram for you:

I hate a waste! Use the circle you’ve just made for a back side of the easy-peasy Granny Circle Bag. Free Pattern:

How To Crochet a Flat Circle in Single Crochet Stitch or Half Double Crochet Stitch

A circle pattern for other stitches than double crochet is very similar. See the table The Principle of Flatness above. For a single crochet circle, follow the written pattern for a double crochet circle, but instead starting round one with 12 stitches, start with 6 and -for a next round and any subsequent rounds – increase by 6.  

For half double crochet circle  start with 8 hdc and adjust the number of stitches for each round by 8.

How To Crochet a Granny Circle

A granny square stitch is very characteristic due to clusters of 3 double crochet stitches. To make a flat circle for a granny square or a granny blanket  you need a diffrent approach. To create a circle or make a blanket using a granny stitch, go to the post: Beautiful Round Blankets with Free Crochet Patterns.

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