Basic Crocheted Flat Circle With Open Center

Following is an example showing how to crochet a basic flat circle made with single crochet. It begins with a chain joined to form a ring, which leaves an open center. This example uses the method of joining with a slip stitch at the end of each round (instead of continuous rounds). From crocheting this sample, you can learn about the increases used when crocheting in the round. If there are too few or too many increases, when crocheting in the round, the piece can buckle, so using the correct number of increases is important. The increasing sequence in this pattern will work for the majority of crocheters but it is always possible that you may find that you have to adjust the number of increases to match your individual crochet tension. This example follows the most commonly used formula for increasing when crocheting in the round.

More of this Feature • Printer-Friendly Page     Related Resources • Increasing In The Round • Keeping Track Of Rounds • Basic Circle With Solid Center • How To Weave In Ends • More How To Pages • Free Patterns Links

Materials Used In This Example
worsted weight yarn
US size G hook

Finished Size: 2 1/4 inches in diameter, after 4 rounds

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ea = each
rnd = round
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

To Begin: Chain 5, slip stitch in first chain, to join into a ring.
Rnd 1: ch 1, 8 sc in ring. Sl st in first sc, to join.
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in ea sc around. Sl st in first sc, to join. (16 sc)
Rnd 3: ch 1, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. Sl st in first sc, to join. (24 sc)
Rnd 4: ch 1, (sc in ea of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. Sl st in first sc, to join. (32 sc)
The example photo shows 4 rounds completed. If you wish to make a larger circle, follow the instructions below, for additional rounds.
Additional Rnds: For each new round, add 1 extra sc stitch to the number of sc stitches between increases (an increase is done by making 2 sc in one stitch). For example, round 5 would have 3 sc between increases then round 6 would have 4 sc between increases and so on.

Optional Finishing Round: After the last round, if you wish to, you can give the circle a nicer looking edge by doing one slip stitch in each single crochet around the circle.

When finished, end off. Weave in ends.

My stitch example photo and the instructions on this page are copyright 2004 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Free for your own personal use only. You are welcome to link to this page but, per copyright law, do not place the actual content of the page on your own website; do not redistribute in any form! If others would like to have the instructions, please give them the URL of this page, so that they may come here for themselves. Thank you! Copyright Myths Explained, U.S. Government Copyright Office - http://www.loc.gov/copyright

URL of this page is http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa082804.htm

Did you know that current works are protected by copyright even when no copyright notice is displayed on the work? (United States Copyright Law) http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html (see 4th paragraph, named "When is my work protected?" and 5th paragraph, named "Do I have to register with your office to be protected?")