To continue my series on circles, for this post I’ll be talking about how to single crochet flat circles in continuous rounds. I’ll also be showing you a method I use to mark ends of round on these continuous circles.
Just as with flat circles with joined rounds, it’s good to start with 7 sc in the first round, plus or minus one stitch. With 6 stitches my circle starts to cup a little, and with 8 stitches I get some extra fullness after several rounds, but everyone’s gauge is different. Many amigurumi patterns start with 6 stitches in the first round. When I’m going for a really flat circle that will stay flat as it gets bigger, I start with 7 stitches.
No matter how many stitches you start with, the instructions for round 2 and beyond are the same. To work the first round, either make a magic loop or ch 5, join with sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 1, 7 sc in ring. Do not join rounds.
To mark ends of rounds, use a length of contrasting color yarn. At the end of round 1, lay the yarn across your work so that it falls after the last stitch in round 1. Work over it into the first single crochet (be careful not to single crochet into the chain that comes before the first single crochet).
To work round 2, work 2 sc in each st around. Flip the marking yarn up so that it lays after the last stitch on round 2. Working 2 stitches in each round increases the round by the number of stitches you started with.
To work round 3, work (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) around. Flip the marking yarn forward so that it lays after the last stitch on round 3. Again you have increased the round by the number of stitches you started with. Stitch count for round 3 is 3x the number of stitches in round 1.
To work round 4, work (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. Continue to flip the marking yarn back and forth to mark ends of rounds. Why not just start with two stitches in the first stitch? The answer is the secret to round circles rather than circles that are somewhat octagon-y. You don’t want to place increases on top of increases on the previous round. For round 4, you have a 4-stitch repeat and 4x the number of stitches in round 1.
To work round 5, work (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts) around. For round 5, you have a 5-stitch repeat and 5x the number of stitches in round 1.
To work round 6, work (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st) around. This round can be worked with increase anywhere in the 6-st repeat—just don’t stack the increase on top of the increase on the previous round. So for round 6, you have a 6-stitch repeat and 6x the number of stitches in round 1.
For subsequent rounds, you just keep increasing in the same manner, placing the increases between increases on the previous round.
To end a continuous round circle, sl st in next st. Fasten off. And that’s it! You’re now on your way to creating continuous round circles for all your bags, hats, coasters, stuffed animals and more.
Thank you for this “How to…” I have started crocheting round rugs and baskets, and getting a good start with a flat circle is harder than I thought.
I am new at crocheting.Understanding a pattern is very hard for me.I don’t have anyone to help me I live alone in the country.So,I am not real sure by the beginning of each row on how you have it worded. 2.sc in next stitch sc in next three then around.I am not certain about the meaning..Can you make it any simpler for a newbie…Thank you
Lynn
P.S. I am sure I am making it harder than it is..
Hey, there
I’ll use your example: 2.sc in next stitch sc in next three then around.
Work two single crochets in the next stitch. Then work ONE single crochet in EACH of the next three stitches. (You will have completed a total of five single crochets.) Repeat this until you complete the round.
It would be a good idea to mark the first stitch of each round with a stitch marker, which you can get online at amazon.com. Or at any craft or yarn store.
Hope this helps.
Nice tutorial and circle is really flat. Unfortunately isn’t perfect since the increasingredients points are too much visible as geometrical pattern what I really don’t like.
Hi Monika, thanks for your comment! As long as you do not stack increases on top of each other, you will not get a geometric effect with obvious corners. You can stagger and vary the increase placement as much as you like within each row. Best wishes!
There are numerous “How to” for flat circles, but yours is the easiest to follow along. Thanks for making this so easy. 🙂
Thank you so much Luna!
Hello there :). Thank you so much for your help on the flat circle. I have finished row six using 10 mm hook and bulky yarn. When I try round 7, using a 7 St repeat I am not ending up with 49 St, as in 7×7…….. Hmmmmmm . Can you please help me with this as I need quite a few mor rounds. I’m making a pet bed. 🙂
Thanks! Using that contrasting yarn to mark the start/end of the round! That’s really smart!