How to Crochet a Circle – Picture Tutorial

Circles are one of the key parts of amigurumi. You find them everywhere! Luckily, they’re very simple to make. Check out this formula and you’ll understand how to crochet a circle in no time.

As always, I’m using US terminology. A single crochet (sc) is equivalent to a UK double crochet – but this formula works with any stitch!

How to crochet a circle:

• Starting the circle: Sc 6 stitches into a magic ring. Pull tight, and sl to first stitch to join. Mark the first stitch with a locking stitch marker. 6 stitches.
• Round 1: Sc twice into every stitch. 12 stitches.
• Round 2: *Sc, sc twice into next stitch.* Repeat from * around. 18 stitches.
• Round 3: *Sc x 2, sc twice into next stitch.* Repeat from * around. 24 stitches.
• Round 4: *Sc x 3, sc twice into next stitch.* Repeat from * around. 30 stitches.
• Round 5: *Sc x 4, sc twice into next stitch.* Repeat from * around. 36 stitches.
• Round 6: Sc in every stitch, until piece for five rows, or until piece measures desired size. Set aside.  

Do you see a pattern?? I think you probably do. You increase ONCE every X stitches, where X is the round number. So, in round one, you increase in every stitch. In round four, you increase every fourth stitch. This creates a lovely flat circle, which can be as big as you need to make it. You can keep going and make big enough to cover your whole house!

But it’s more of a crochet octagon than a crochet circle?

Okay, you got me, Giotto. This formula does create increase lines which are visible in some yarns. To solve this, you can stagger the increases.

The key is to keep the correct number of increases every round. For example, in the fourth round, we increase one stitch in four. This usually looks like this:

sc sc sc increase sc sc sc increase sc sc sc increase

staggered increases might look like this:

sc sc increase sc sc sc increase sc sc sc sc increase

Note there are the same amount of stitches and increases, but instead of lining up neatly, they’re staggered throughout the work. This will prevent the little ‘lines’ you find so loathsome – but I usually don’t bother.

What can you do with a crochet circle?

Crochet circles are amigurumi essentials (which is probably why you’re on this website!). As well as that, you could:

• Add spots in the centre of two crochet circles for yarny “googly eyes”.
• Whip up a set of quick coasters for a friend in her favourite colours.
• Size the yarn and hook way, way up and make a circular lap-blanket, or use cotton yarn to make a rug.
• Sew two large circles together for a cushion.
• Create a set of custom hot pans to match your dining room.

What have I missed? Tell me in the comments!

Discover how to crochet absolutely everything with more posts in this series.