How to make a flat crochet circle

Are you a beginner crocheter? I believe you have seen all those round crochet stuff like coasters, mandala, and rugs.

Have you ever wondered how to make a flat crochet circle?

The method to make a crochet circle that lays flat is really easy and once you understand it you can make anything you like, from a small coaster to a big area rug in any stitch you want!

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As I said, this method works with any stitch because it is just math!

You have to make the correct number of increases in every round and your crochet circle will lay flat every single time.

Common flat crochet circle mistakes

If your circle usually looks like a potato chip, you have made too many increases.

If your circle usually looks like a bowl, you have made too few increases.

Sounds simple?

The math

Don’t get scared on me, right now. This will be fairly simple.

Let’s make a circle with double crochet stitches. You preferably begin with a magic ring and make 12 dc in the ring.

On the second round, double the stitches. Which means you will make 2 stitches in every stitch.

On the third round, make 1 dc in the first stitch and increase (make 2 dc) in the next stitch. Continue like this until you reach the end of the round and join with a slip stitch.

On the fourth round, make 1 dc in the next 2 stitches and then increase (make 2 dc in the same stitch). Continue like this until you reach the end of the round and join with a slip stitch.

On the fifth round, make 1 dc in the next 3 stitches and then increase (make 2 dc in the same stitch).

Continue like this until you reach the end of the round and join with a slip stitch.

On the sixth round, make 1 dc in the next 4 stitches and then increase (make 2 dc in the same stitch).

Continue like this until you reach the end of the round and join with a slip stitch.

You see where I am going with this? In my mind, it looks like I am pushing the increases further on the round on every new round I am making.

First, it was just one stitch, then two, then three and so on. You can continue in this manner for as many rounds as you like.

If you count right and keep your tension even you will always get a flat crochet circle!

That also means that I am adding 12 stitches in every round. That is the original number of stitches I had in the first round.

Easy way to remember, right?

I mentioned tension above, because on some occasions if your counting is correct your tension might not be, thus resulting in minor changes in the progress.

So, if your counting is correct (double-check, please) but your circle still looks a potato chip, it just means that at some point your stitches became too loose or you got confused and changed your crochet hook -with a bigger one- in the middle of your project.

And on the other occasion, if your counting is correct but your circle still looks like a bowl, it means that at some point your stitches became too tight or you got confused and changed your crochet hook -with a smaller one- in the middle of your project.

There is an easy fix for both occasions. Rip it out and start again!

When you get comfortable with this method go and read my other article on how to make a perfect crochet circle.

This mostly applies to single crochet circles but I have seen results on half double and double crochet stitches and I am always using it.

It again involves some math but it really is just about rearranging some stitches in the space.

Think of it as home décor! You are just going to move some chairs around and your living room will look better! Easy…

Don’t forget to pin for later… 🙂

That was it for today! What did you think of it? Did I explained it well or confused you even more? Ask away in the comments…

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