How to Crochet A Circle

Crochet circles

If you’ve learned the basic crochet stitches like chains, single crochet, and double crochet, then you may be wondering how to crochet a circle. You want to make hats, round potholders, rugs, round blankets, shawls, and dishcloths. How do you do it?

There are three basic ways to begin a circle.

Starting a crochet circle with a chain loop

The more you chain, the bigger the hole in the middle. Four Chains is typical for a minimal hole in the middle. If you actually want a hole in the middle, then the sky’s the limit.

Begin by chaining 4 or more. Then, without twisting your chain, insert your hook in the first chain you made, yarn over, pull through the chain and the loop on your hook.

To work single crochet into your chain loop, ch 1 to start. If you plan to work double crochet into your loop, you can chain 2 or 3.

Starting a circle in your first chain

Begin by making a slip knot and placing it on your hook. Loosen it up just a bit, chain 1 for single crochet, chain 2 or 3 for double crochet. Then you insert your hook back into the first chain to work your stitches.

When you have finished working all the stitches of your first round, you can pull your beginning tail tight to close up the hole in the middle.

Crochet a circle with “Magic Circle” or adjustable ring

This one is very popular lately. It goes by a few different names: adjustable ring, magic circle, magic ring, magic loop. These are all the same thing. Begin by wrapping your yarn around the first one or two fingers of your hook hand, leaving at least a 6″/15 cm tail. Holding the ring closed with your other hand, slide it off your fingers.

Insert the hook through the ring where the tail and ring overlap. Wrap the yarn around your hook and pull up a loop through the adjustable ring. Chain 1 for single crochet, chain 2 or 3 for double crochet.

Work stitches by inserting your hook into the ring so that you work each stitch over both the ring and the tail. When you have finished all the stitches of your first round, pull the tail to close up the center. At this point you can crochet over the tail as you go, or you can weave it in with a tapestry needle when you are finished. Never cut it off short! That would make the center of your circle come undone.

What comes next?

If you want your circle to lay flat, as opposed to ruffling or making a cone shape, then work 6 single crochet or 12 double crochet in the first round, at the end you can insert your hook back into your first stitch, or your turning chain, and work a slip stitch to join them into a circle. You can work in spirals without joining by just putting the next stitch directly into the top of your first stitch. If you are not an intermediate or advanced crocheter, I recommend following a pattern on how many and how/if to join at the end of the round . Or if you just want to play around, experiment, or otherwise walk on the wild side with your crochet, do whatever your fiber-loving heart desires!