Earlier in the Newbie Series, we learned how to crochet in continuous rounds, with an open center (like for our bow coffee sleeve). Today, we’ll learn how to crochet in the round when we want our project to grow. This is the same method you’ll use for crocheting amigurumi (like this cute wolf), top down hats, round coasters or potholders, and so much more. It’s super similar, except we’ll be adding some increases as we work our way around.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links, you will pay the same prices as always, but You Should Craft will receive a small commission that helps us provide free crochet patterns. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
You’ll notice that I’ve labeled this technique as “when flat,” but some of the projects I listed aren’t flat. For this tutorial, we’re straight up increasing, but many patterns will increase to a certain point, then keep the stitch count steady for several rows (like the torso of a sweater) to add length rather than width.
For example, if you’re crocheting a top down hat (like these hats from Left in Knots), you’ll increase until your hat is the same width as your head. Once you’ve reached the desired width, you need to add length so it can reach your ears.
Don’t worry about that for today though! Today, we’ll be practicing our flat increases and tomorrow we’ll work on a cute little face scrubbie.
After this lesson, crocheters will be able to:
- Crochet a circle that starts with a ch-3
- Recognize the magic ring
- Distribute increases so their circle is flat and even
Are you a new crocheter? Sign up for 30 days of beginner patterns and tutorials! ⬇️⬇️
Supplies / Materials
You can practice with any hook and yarn! You’ll also want a stitch marker to help you keep track of the first stitch in each round.
For the tutorials, I used:
NOTE: My friends at WeCrochet provided the materials for the Newbie Series.
How to Crochet in the Round – Video Tutorial
How to Crochet in the Round – Photo Tutorial
To practice, let’s work up a small circle. I used single crochets, but you can crochet in the round with any stitch (even fancy stitches like the puff stitch).
Use your stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch in each row.
- a.) ch 3
- b.) join to first ch with a sl st to create a ring
- c. – d.) ROUND 1: 8 sc into the center of the ring (8)
Now, we’re going to start our increases. In each round, we will add 8 stitches (evenly distributed).
- e.) ROUND 2: 2 sc in each st around (16)
- f.) ROUND 3: *2 sc, 1 sc* eight times around (24)
- g. – h.) ROUND 4: *1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc* eight times around (32)
I stopped at Round 4, but if you wanted to continue, you’d use the same basic pattern. Each round will increase by 8 total stitches, and those increases will be evenly distributed around the circle.
For example, the next couple rounds would be:
ROUND 5: *2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc* eight times around (40)
ROUND 6: *1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc* eight times around (48)
NOTE: I like to switch up where I put my increases, or else my circle starts to get corners (like an octagon).