Crochet projects don’t have to be flat rectangles! Today, we’ll learn how to crochet in continuous rounds with an open center. This versatile technique can be used to crochet simple items like coffee sleeves or hair scrunchies (both are coming soon!), as well as more advanced projects like sweaters and sleeves.
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For those of you following along with the Newbie Series, this lesson is Day Eight. If you’re not following along but would love to learn how to crochet with daily tutorials, beginner patterns, and round-ups sent to your inbox — sign up here:
After today’s lesson, you’ll be able to:
- crochet the slip stitch
- identify the slip stitch in charts and patterns
- single crochet in continuous rounds
- describe the difference between “rows” and “rounds”
Identifying the Slip Stitch in Rows and Patterns
When crocheting in an open round, we join a chain using a new stitch — the slip stitch.
In patterns, the slip stitch is abbreviated as “sl st.” The beginning of a pattern that’s worked in continuous rounds might read:
ch 30, join to first ch with sl st
Stitch charts use a period (filled circle) or filled oval to represent slip stitches. The chart below represents a starting ch 30, joined with a slip stitch. There is also a round of 30 single crochets.
Supplies / Materials
You can crochet in the round with any hook/yarn, so use whatever you have on hand. If you’re following along with the Newbie Series, I recommend using your worsted weight acrylic and an H 5.0 mm hook so you can get on head start on tomorrow’s pattern. You’ll also need one stitch marker.
For the tutorial video and pictures, I used:
- Brava worsted in Dove Heather
- H 5.0 mm crochet hook
- Locking stitch marker
Notes about Working in Continuous Rounds
Working in continuous rounds is similar to crocheting in rows, except for a few minor differences:
- Rows are called “rounds”
- You don’t turn your work
- Round 1 is the only round that starts with a chain. For all other rounds, we crochet right on top of first stitch of the previous round
How to Crochet in Continuous Rounds – Video Tutorial
How to Crochet in Continuous Rounds
ch 30 (or any number) and join to first ch with a sl st (chaining 30 will give you a head start on tomorrow’s pattern)
To crochet a slip stitch (sl st):
insert hook into first ch (any loop), yarn over, pull through all the loops on your hook
ROUND 1: ch 1 and sc around (30)
ROUND 2: sc on top of the first stitch of round 1, insert a stitch marker, sc around (30)
ROUNDS 3 – ?: sc around, moving the stitch marker to the first stitch of each row (30) — don’t join to the first stitch, just crochet on top of it
If you’re prepping for tomorrow’s coffee sleeve, stop after Round 12.