Free pattern · Beginner · Double crochet in the round
Crochet Circle
Free crochet circle pattern with chart and round counts
A flat double crochet circle that stays round. Start with 12 dc in a magic ring, add 12 stitches every round, and move the increases a little each round so the edge never turns into a polygon. Six rounds make a circle about 7 inches across. Keep going for a placemat, a rug or the center of a mandala.
- Yarn
- Medium (4)about 20 yd
- Hook
- 5 mmUS H-8
- Finished
- About 7 in across6 rounds
Chart
Crochet circle chart
Reading this chart
- Start at the center and read each round counterclockwise, the way a right-handed crocheter works.
- Start at the center and read each round clockwise, the way a left-handed crocheter works.
- Each round begins at its green mark, its first stitch or chain; its number is printed beside it. Rounds alternate dark and blue so they read apart.
- A V of two double crochet from one stitch is an increase. Follow the Vs round by round and you can see them move.
- Symbols follow the Craft Yarn Council chart standard.
Drawn by Krowshea from the checked counts. New to charts? How to read crochet charts.
Written pattern
Round by round
Work with the right side facing; do not turn. The ch 3 at the start of each round counts as the first stitch (a dc in US terms, a tr in UK terms), so join each round to its top.
Written in US crochet terms
- 1
Make a magic ring, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 11 dc in ring, pull the ring tight, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
12 dc - 2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
24 dc - 3
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in next st, [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] 11 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
36 dc - 4
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] 11 times, dc in next st, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc - 5
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] 11 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
60 dc - 6
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st] 11 times, dc in next 2 sts, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
72 dc
Written in UK crochet terms
- 1
Make a magic ring, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 11 tr in ring, pull the ring tight, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
12 tr - 2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, 2 tr in each st around, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
24 tr - 3
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in next st, [tr in next st, 2 tr in next st] 11 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
36 tr - 4
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st] 11 times, tr in next st, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr - 5
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st] 11 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
60 tr - 6
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next st, 2 tr in next st, [tr in next 4 sts, 2 tr in next st] 11 times, tr in next 2 sts, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
72 tr
Round counts
The circle formula
A flat circle grows by the same number of stitches every round: as many as it started with. This one starts with 12 double crochet, so round 2 has 24, round 3 has 36, and round n has 12 × n.
Each increase is 2 dc in one stitch. From round 3 on, there is one more plain dc between increases each round, because the 12 increases are spread over more stitches.
Other stitches
Shorter stitches need fewer increases a round. These are the usual starting counts:
| Stitch | Rnd 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single crochet (sc) | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 | 48 |
| Double crochet (dc) | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 | 72 |
| Round | Stitches | Added | The repeat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | +12 | 12 dc in the ring |
| 2 | 24 | +12 | 2 dc in every stitch |
| 3 | 36 | +12 | 1 dc, then 2 dc in the next stitch |
| 4 | 48 | +12 | 2 dc, then 2 dc in the next stitch |
| 5 | 60 | +12 | 3 dc, then 2 dc in the next stitch |
| 6 | 72 | +12 | 4 dc, then 2 dc in the next stitch |
Keeping it flat
Why circles cup, ruffle or turn into polygons
It cups like a bowl
Too few stitches for its size. Check your count: a missed increase leaves the round short. If the count is right, your stitches may be short for the hook, so try a hook one size up.
It ruffles
Too many stitches. Count again for an extra increase, or try a hook one size down if your stitches are tall and loose.
It has corners
The increases are stacked one above the other, so the circle grows flat sides. Move them: start each round's repeat part of the way through, as rounds 4 and 6 do here.
Krowshea checks this for you
Every round you build in the Krowshea Studio is measured against a flat circle. Leave out the increases in round 4 and it says:
WarningRound 4 will likely cup: its outer edge is 72% of a flat circle at that size. Add increases.
Double them and it says:
WarningRound 4 will likely ruffle: its outer edge is 143% of a flat circle at that size. Use fewer increases.
Making it bigger
Keep going
For each new round, put one more plain dc between increases: round 7 is [dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st] around for 84 dc, and round 8 has 6 dc between increases for 96 dc. Start every other round part of the way through a repeat, as rounds 4 and 6 do, so the increases keep moving. Each round adds about 3 cm (just over an inch) to the width at this gauge.
Change color at the start of any round for stripes: join the new yarn with the closing slip stitch. A circle is also the start of a doily, a hat crown, a basket base and most mandalas.
More free patterns
Krowshea is in beta
Build your own circle
This pattern stays free right here. In the Krowshea Studio, members will be able to:
- Choose sc, hdc or dc and how many rounds, and Krowshea writes the circle
- Stripe it in your own colors and see it in 3D Yarn
- Have every round checked, so the circle lies flat before you start
- Track your rounds with Make it, on your phone