How to Crochet a Flat Circle: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Your crochet learning journey won’t be complete without the skill of working in the round – it comes in handy in many crochet projects! If you are a beginner and want to learn how to make a flat circle, you’re in the right place.
In this post, I will teach you how to crochet a flat circle.
How to Crochet A Flat Circle Video Tutorial
coming soon!
Terms and abbreviations
- st – stitch
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- inc – increase, 2 st in one
Materials and Tools
You can use any yarn with the corresponding crochet hook. Check the recommended hook size on the yarn label.
For learning purposes, medium-weight yarn with a 4-5 mm hook will be optimal.
Starting the circle
There are two main ways to start a circle: a magic ring and a chain loop.
The chain loop is a beginner technique that requires basic skills, but it leaves a small hole in the middle. The magic ring is a bit harder to learn, but it’s adjustable – you can close the center completely by pulling the yarn end.
How to make a magic ring
See this tutorial:
How to make a chain loop
Make a slip knot, chain 4, insert your hook in the first chain stitch, and make a slip stitch, forming a loop.
The Formula for a flat circle
Good news! There’s a basic formula for crocheting a flat circle, and once you get it, making perfect circles will be a walk in the park.
The formula tells us to increase evenly by the same number of stitches in each round. How do we know by how many? It’s easy – the number of stitches we have in the first round.
This example shows a flat circle made with single crochets. We start with 8 stitches, so in this case, we want to increase each round by 8.
| Calculation | # of stitches in the round | Pattern instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | base # of stitches x1 | 8 | 8 sc |
| Round 2 | base # of stitches x2 | 8 x 2 = 16 | 2 sc in each st |
| Round 3 | base # of stitches x3 | 8 x 3 = 24 | 1 sc, 2 sc in one st* |
| Round 4 | base # of stitches x4 | 8 x 4 = 32 | 2 sc, 2 sc in one st |
| Round 5 | base # of stitches x5 | 8 x 5 = 40 | 3 sc, 2 sc in one st |
| Round 6 | base # of stitches x6 | 8 x 6 = 48 | 4 sc, 2 sc in one st |
*The term “2 sc in one st” may also be written as “inc” – increase. I use the first version because it makes counting easier (it clearly indicates how many stitches we have).
There are two ways to go about this method:
- Multiply the starting number of stitches by the round number (e.g., 8 sc x 3 = 24 sc).
- Add the starting number of stitches to the overall stitch count in every next round (e. g., 16 sc + 8 sc = 24 sc)
See which calculation is easier for you to understand and keep track of – the result is the same in both instances.
Following this method should create a perfectly flat circle.
Crocheting a circle with stitches of different heights
Even though the basic pattern is universal, we have to take into account that basic crochet stitches differ in height.
A single crochet circle naturally has shorter rounds than a double crochet circle.
The shorter the stitch, the fewer you need to start the circle. That’s why you may need 6 or 8 single crochets, but as many as 12 or 16 double crochets to start. We want every round to be flat, including the very first one.
No matter your yarn and hook of choice, always test how many stitches you need to make the first round lay flat.
How to Make Round Circles (Not Hexagons or Octagons)
Now here’s the catch – following a pattern drafted in the table will actually produce an octagon, not a circle.
If you start with…
- 5 stitches, you’ll get a pentagon
- 6 stitches, you’ll get a hexagon
- 7 stitches, you’ll get a septagon
- 8 stitches, you’ll get an octagon, etc.
Why is it happening?
The increases stack on top of one another. An increase disrupts the flow of stitches in a circle, creating a small bump. Then, stacking only magnifies this problem.
How to fix it?
To avoid stacking of increases, we have to distribute them unevenly. Luckily, it’s easier than it sounds.
In rounds 1-3, increases are done normally because there isn’t enough “room” between them yet. However, as soon as you have regular stitches between the increases, you should start the fixing process.
Find the stitch between the two increases. It doesn’t have to be exactly in the middle; we only want to avoid stacking. Place your increase there.
Remember to follow the Stitch Formula – no matter where you place the increases, the distance between them should be equal.
Single Crochet Flat Circle (Circular Crochet Coaster Free Pattern)
The single crochet is the shortest basic stitch. Follow the Stitch Formula and instructions above, or…
Learn how to crochet a flat circle with this beginner-friendly pattern. Follow the written circle pattern instructions with step-by-step photos.
See my tutorial on how to count stitches in the round to learn more about that.
Half Double Crochet Flat Circle
To make a flat circle using half double crochet (hdc), follow the Stitch Formula and instructions above.
- You may need 8 or more stitches to start, depending on the type of yarn you choose.
- The turning chain for hdc is 2 chains – you may or may not count it as a stitch.
Double Crochet Flat Circle
To make a flat circle using double crochet (dc), follow the Stitch Formula and instructions above.
- You may need 10 or more stitches to start, depending on the type of yarn you choose.
- The turning chain for dc is 3 chains, and we almost always count it as a stitch (1 dc).
Spiral Method or Slip Stitch Join
Usually, the pattern will ask you to close the round with a slip stitch. Sometimes, though, especially in amigurumi, you will be working in spiral rounds.
In this method, you place the first stitch of each round in the last stitch of the previous one, without any turning chains or slip stitches.
With this method, stitch markers come in very handy because after a while, you can’t tell where the round starts and where it ends.
I used this technique in all of my free crochet amigurumi patterns to shape their heads and paws.
How to fix your circle when it doesn’t stay flat
If your circle is curling, you probably have too few increases. Checking the stitch count should help. If your circle is ruffling at the edges, you probably have too many stitches, or your hook size is too big.
The wrong number of starting stitches may cause curling as well, even if your stitch count is correct. To fix that, try starting with more stitches.
right: the edge curls upwards because there are too few increases in the round.
Additionally, you may want to steam block your circle to make it flat. Sometimes, the tension in the yarn itself distorts the final piece.
What to Make with Flat Crochet Circles
There are a ton of cute crochet patterns that use flat circles. The circle may become a coaster, a ragdoll toy, a placemat, or even a blanket.
Here are some free crochet patterns from my own library:
- The Drawstring Crochet Bag has a flat circular bottom.
- Ragdoll Bunny Amigurumi starts as a flat circle.
- Both the 3D Heart Granny Square and the Heart Crochet Drawstring Bag have a small flat circle in the center.
Conclusion
It wasn’t so hard, right? You have now learned how to crochet a flat circle and how to use the stitch count formula to keep it flat. You know that you have to increase in each round, but not stack the increases. If you followed my coaster pattern, you definitely know now how to crochet a flat circle with single crochet!
