How to make a perfect crochet circle
Have you noticed that when you are crocheting in the round in single crochet you wind up with a hexagon instead of a circle? In this post, you will learn a small hack for the perfect crochet circle.
The single crochet is one of the first stitches that we all learn as beginners. It is one of the most common and most used, also. This technique will help you achieve the result of the perfect circle with making minor adjustments to a pattern, without alternating it.
I learned this technique while making amigurumi, but it is also very useful whenever you want a flat single crochet circle, like when making coasters or face scrubbies.
Let’s look at an example. Most of the patterns that want you to make a single crochet circle look like this:
R1: MR, 6 sc in ring, sl st, ch 1 (6)
R2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st, ch 1 (12)
R3: *sc, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (18)
R4: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (24)
R5: *sc in next 3 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (30)
R6: *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (36)
R7: *sc in next 5 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (42)
R8: *sc in next 6 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (48)
R9: *sc in next 7 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (54)
R10: *sc in next 8 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (60)
The reason that your circle looks more than a hexagon is because of the small height of the single crochet stitches and that the increases are always on top of each other.
Now, what you want to do to fix that, is quite simple. You just have to alternate the placement of the increases only in even rounds. How are you going to achieve that? Well, in the rounds that you must crochet an even amount of stitches before the increase, split that number in half.
Let’s make a perfect crochet circle
First of all, the first three rounds will look exactly the same.
R1: MR, 6 sc in ring, sl st, ch 1 (6)
R2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st, ch 1 (12)
R3: *sc, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (18)
In the 4th round, you have to make an even number of stitches before the increase. You read in the pattern “sc in next 2 st, 2sc”. Divide that number in half. 2:2=1. Are you with me so far?
Next, we are going to take that number and use it in the first repeat of the pattern. For the example above we have to make 6 repeats to complete the circle. So, the first repeat is going to be “ sc 1, 2sc”. Then, for the next repeats, you follow the pattern “sc in the next 2, 2 sc”.
That leaves you with one more stitch to be worked. Make a single crochet in the last stitch. That is the single crochet we didn’t make at the first repeat of the pattern in the beginning.
Nothing has changed in the stitch count for this round. You still have 24 stitches. The only difference is the placement of the increases. They are not on top of each other, but somewhere in between. This will become more apparent in the following rounds.
The new round 4 will look like this now:
R4: sc 1, 2 sc, * sc in next 2 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sc 1 in last st, sl st, ch 1 (24)
Continue with round 5 as it is because it is an odd round. Let’s make one more even numbered round.
One more example
In round 6 we have “sc in next 4 st, 2 sc”. Divide the number 4 in half. 4:2=2. The new round 6 will look like this:
R6: sc 2, 2 sc, * sc in next 4 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sc in last 2 st, sl st, ch 1 (36)
That’s it! You don’t have to make any alterations to the pattern, just some small adjustments. For a final recap always refer to the instructions below.
Final recap and instructions
- First three rounds stay as is.
- In the rounds with an even number of stitches before the increase, divide the number in half and use half of them at the beginning of the round and the rest of them in the last stitches in the end. The rest of the repeats in between stay the same.
- The rounds with an odd number of stitches before the increase stay as is.
Was this tutorial helpful for you? Any questions?
Thank you for the insight! This is so detailed written!!
I am happy you find it useful! 😉
Does this work with continuous rounds without sl st? Awesome for ami’s for sure!
Yes, Katie! It works perfectly with continuous round as long as you remember to place your stitch marker! The result is definitely rounder! 😉
Thank you for the tutorial, I hope that now I’ m going to do this right
WOW. This is just amazing. Really works and so simple. Thank you!
So glad you found it useful!
R1: MR, 6 sc in ring, sl st, ch 1 (6)
R2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st, ch 1 (12)
R3: *sc, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (18)
R4: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (24)
R5: *sc in next 3 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (30)
R6: *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (36)
R7: *sc in next 5 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (42)
R8: *sc in next 6 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (48)
R9: *sc in next 7 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (54)
R10: *sc in next 8 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sl st, ch 1 (60)
All good and well if you know what R1.MR,6scin ring etc means
Please explain
Hi Maria!
Yes, sometimes we take things for granted. Although this post wasn’t about this, all the things you mention are standard crochet abbreviations used in patterns. In this case R1= round 1, MR= magic ring. You can check on google “crochet abbreviations” and it will guide you through lists so you can read any pattern you like!
Wonderful! Will this work for double crochets?
Double crochet tends to be more forgiving in its shape, but yes, this trick works for double crochet, also!
Thank you so much for this wonderful and clearly written instruction! I thought I had just done something wrong to end up with the hexagon shape but now I know it’s normal and how to prevent it! Thank you!
I am so happy that you found it useful, Kylene! Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you so much! We beginners appreciate dearly all the help we can get. You are so generous sharing your knowledge!!
You are making me blush!
does the ch 1 count as a sc?
No, the chain 1 doesn’t count as a stitch.
Shouldn’t this row 6 = 36?
R6: sc 2, 2 sc, * sc in next 4 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sc in last 2 st, sl st, ch 1 (30)
Good catch, Becky! I just corrected it. Thank you!
Thank you for making such detailed instructions. I can’t wait to learn to become a “GREAT” crocheter. God bless, Sheryl
Thank you so much, Sheryl, for your kind words. I wish you all the best!
I am so glad there are brilliant crochet artists like yourself that come up with these wonderful tips and tricks. This will make the top of hats look much better. THANK YOU
I am still having problems with R6: sc 2, 2 sc, * sc in next 4 st, 2 sc * repeat from * to * around, sc in last 2 st, sl st, ch 1 (36)
I have trouble with the stars and brackets
The number that is in the bracket at the end of the row is the number of stitches you should have in that specific row. The asteriscs indicate a repeat. The stitches that are inside the asteriscs must be repeated a certain amount of times or until the end of the row. This will be explained after the asterisc.
Thank you! So simple and so effective I tried just moving the increase 1 or 2 stitches away in the past and got lost but this is so easy and consistent- it’s great!.
I am so happy you found it helpful. I use it all the time!
Thank you! So helpful! What about for decreases then? Do we do the same technique just with invisible decreases?
Yes, exactly! It works the same way.
I’m really glad I saw this!! Getting ready to make a round rug and I would not have been happy with a hexagon! Thank you for explaining so clearly!
Oh my God so helpful and and I understood it easily thank you sooooo much for sharing. I’ll try this with continuous rounds and hopefully I’ll see a change
Yeah! You will definitely see much improvement. This is the best and easiest way to make a perfect crochet circle!
I am confused about the part that says odd number of stitches stays the same. Is it just repeating the previous row? Like row 5 i did sc 1 in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, *sc 1 in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st. Rep from * around. 1 sc in last st. Sl st ch 1. Is this correct?
Not exactly. That means that you don’t have to divide the number at the rows that have an odd number before the increase. You only mess with the even numbers. Rows with odd number of stitches before each increase stay as the patterns says they should be crocheted. So if a round says “sc 5, inc”, you will single crochet 5 stitches and then make the increase. Nothing changes.
I like this, I want to make a small table cloth. I keep taking it out because something go wrong I hope this works for that.
Can’t believe I never saw this before. I gave up making baskets and am back doing it again. You are wonderful to share this. I’m one of your newest fans.
Hi Kate! That’s so good to hear. I am so glad you found this little crochet hack helpful and I hope you will go back to making baskets.
Thank you for sharing this tip. It was very clear and easy to follow. I had given up hope of ever producing a proper circle. Now I’ve made two. Joined them together. Put a bunny head applique on the front, a pompom on the back for a tail and added a strap. I have a cute ROUND bunny bag for my grandniece’s birthday. Thank you.
That’s so nice to here! Happy birthday to your grandniece!