In this article:
There is no way to get around it 😉 Crochet Circles are obligatory to learn if you want to make a round bag, blanket, coaster, 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
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 Double Crochet Circle
A double crochet stitch circle is one of the most frequently used variants, so it is great stitch to demonstrate how the principle of flatness works.
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 at the end of each round.
A Basic Double Crochet Circle – Pattern for Beginners
To make a simple circle from double crochet stitches, follow the formula below:
Make a magic ring (or ch 4 and s; st into the first chain to create a ring instead).
Make the following number of stitches in each round:
1st Round: ch3, 11 dc in the ring, sl st at the beginning ch3 [12 dc]
2nd Round: 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]
3rd Round: ch3, *(inc, dc) – repeat from * around, sp st at the beginning of the round [36dc]
4rd Round: ch3, inc in the next st, dc into the next 2 sts, repeat (inc,2 dc) around, sl st into ch3 [48dc]
5th Round: ch3, inc into the next st, dc into the next 3 sts, repeat (inc, 3 dc) around, sp st, into the beginning ch3 [60 dc]
6th Round: ch3, inc into the next st, dc into the next 4 sts, repeat (inc, 4 dc) 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 inc in every second st, in round 4- every third, in round 4, every fourth, and so on.
If you want to make your circle bigger, like for a rug or blanket, continue the pattern by adding 1dc after any inc for each round.
Round 7: ch3, (inc, 5dc) around
Round 8: ch3, (inc, 6dc) around
… and so on.
Final Remarks
Ch 3 at the beginning always counts as the last DC in 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, just add 12 to the number of stitches in a previous round. 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:
Now, when you know how to crochet a circle, you may start a round blanket! You can choose a free pattern from here:
Beautiful Round Blankets with Free Crochet Patterns
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