How to Crochet a Circle (Without Losing Your Mind)

Struggling with wavy or curling circles? Learn how to crochet a circle the easy way with this beginner-friendly tutorial and video guide.

Step-by-step visual guide showing how to crochet a perfect circle using the magic ring method.

So you’re sitting there with your yarn, your hook, and a big idea: you’re finally going to learn how to crochet a circle.

It sounds simple, right?

But then… your circle curls. Or ripples. Or turns into something weirdly hexagon-shaped. You stare at it, wondering: Is it me? Is it the yarn? Am I cursed?

Nope. It’s none of those things. Circles can just be a little sneaky at first — but I’m going to walk you through it, step by step. We’ll cover the basic formula, how to keep your stitch count under control, and the little tricks that make a big difference.

And yes, there’s a video tutorial waiting for you further down the post (you’ll definitely want to check that out).

So grab your crochet hook, a comfy spot, and let’s do this together.

Why Is This So Hard?

Crocheting a flat circle should be simple, right?

But if you’ve ever ended up with a lumpy pancake or a ruffled donut, you’re not alone. I’ve been there — frustrated, pulling out rows, wondering what I did wrong.

Here’s the thing: crocheting in the round follows a basic principle, but it’s all about balance. The placement of the increases and the number of stitches in each round really matters.

Side-by-side view of how to crochet a circle using single crochet and double crochet stitches.

Too many stitches? Your circle will ripple.
Too few? It curls up like a bowl.

It’s all fixable — and once you know how, it feels like magic. (Especially when you use a magic ring. More on that in a sec.)

If you’re wondering how to crochet a circle that stays smooth and flat, this post will help you fix all the common issues.

What You’ll Need

Here’s what I use when I’m making a basic circle:

A crochet hook (4 mm is a nice place to start).
Some yarn (use whatever you have — nothing fancy needed).
A stitch marker (or a bobby pin, scrap yarn, anything that works).
Scissors.
A tapestry needle for weaving in your yarn tail.

Optional but helpful: a snack, a cozy blanket, and a quiet moment to yourself.

New to Crochet? Let’s Get You Set Up First

If you’re just getting started, learning how to crochet a circle is an awesome first step. But there are a few other basics that will make your crochet life easier too.

I’ve written some beginner-friendly guides you might want to bookmark for later:

👉 The Six Basic Crochet Stitches You Need to Know
👉 How to Crochet Straight Edges (So Your Rows Don’t Lean)
👉 How to Change Colors in Crochet Without the Mess

Don’t feel like you have to know it all right away — we all start somewhere, and you’re already doing great by being here.

Starting with a Magic Ring (It’s Not Scary, I Promise)

The magic circle (aka magic loop or adjustable loop) is the easiest way to start a crochet circle — and it makes your center nice and tight.

A foundation chain joined into a ring can leave a little hole in the middle. But a magic ring lets you pull the center closed completely. Clean and tidy!

If you’re unsure how to crochet a circle using a magic ring, don’t worry — you’ll get the hang of it with practice.

I wrap the yarn around my middle finger and guide it with my left hand, but you’ll find your own way. It might feel awkward at first, but hang in there — it’s worth it.

Step-by-Step: Let’s Crochet Your First Circle

We’ll start with single crochet stitches. It’s the easiest to learn and great for practicing the rhythm of increases.

First Round (R1)

Make a magic circle
Ch 1 (this is your turning chain — it doesn’t count as a stitch)
Work 6 single crochet stitches into the circle
Pull the working yarn to close the loop
Join with a sl st to the first stitch

Boom! That’s your first round done.

Second Round (R2)

Ch 1
Work 2 sc into each stitch around (you’ll have 12 at the end)
Join with a sl st to the first sc

This is your basic pattern. Every round, you add stitches evenly to keep the circle flat.

If you want to understand how to crochet a circle that looks smooth and professional, pay close attention to where your increases go.

The Magic Formula for Growing Circles

Here’s the general rule of thumb:

Start with a number of stitches in your first round (like 6), and add that same number in each subsequent round.

So if you begin with 6:

R1: 6 sts
R2: 12 sts
R3: 18 sts
R4: 24 sts
…and so on.

That’s the basic idea behind a flat circle.

Once you get this pattern down, you’ll feel confident in how to crochet a circle for any project.

Preventing the Dreaded Seam

If you’re working in joined rounds (where you sl st at the end of each round), you might notice a visible seam running up the side. It’s not wrong — just noticeable.

There are two easy ways to fix that:

Try the spiral technique — keep going in continuous rounds without joining.
Use an invisible join — it’s a way to fasten off and weave in the yarn without a bump.

Either one works — give both a try and see what feels best.

Just don’t forget your st marker (aka your new best friend). Pop it into the first stitch of every round so you know where you started. Trust me, it saves so much guesswork.

Want Bigger Circles? Try Double Crochet

If you want your circles to grow faster — or if you’re making something like a storage pot, rug, or placemat — switch to double crochet stitches.

But here’s the thing: you’ll need to adjust your starting numbers.

Here’s a guide:

Single crochet: start with 6–8 sts
Half double crochet: start with 8–10
Double crochet: start with 10–12

Also, use a taller turning chain:

2 chains for hdc
3 chains for dc

Close-up of how to crochet a circle with double crochet stitches and a red crochet hook.

Don’t forget to size up your hook if needed! A 4 mm hook works for most worsted-weight yarns, but chunkier yarns need bigger hooks.

As you practice how to crochet a circle using different stitches, you’ll discover what works best for your yarn and project.

A Quick Pattern to Try

Let’s keep it simple and write out an example pattern:

R1: Magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc into the ring. Sl st to first stitch. (6)

Step-by-step photo of how to crochet a circle starting with a magic ring and single crochet stitches.

R2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each stitch. Sl st. (12)

Early stage of how to crochet a circle using single crochet stitches worked into a magic ring.

R3: Ch 1, 1 sc in next, 2 sc in next. Repeat. Sl st. (18)

Small finished circle showing how to crochet a circle with even single crochet rounds.

R4: Ch 1, 1 sc in next 2, 2 sc in next. Repeat. Sl st. (24)

In-progress demonstration of how to crochet a circle with smooth, even stitches.

R5: Ch 1, 1 sc in next 3, 2 sc in next. Repeat. Sl st. (30)

Keep using this repeat pattern to really get the hang of how to crochet a circle — the chill, no-stress way to make it flat and fab.

How to Make Round Circles (Not Hexagons)

Okay, real talk — you might follow the pattern exactly and still end up with something that looks more like a stop sign than a circle. Been there. It happens.

Here’s why: when you always put your increases in the same places in each next round, they stack on top of each other. That stacking creates little corners, and suddenly your perfect circle isn’t so perfect.

Comparison of two crochet circles showing how to crochet a circle with single crochet—one pointed, one perfectly round.

How do we fix that?

You shift your increases slightly in every round.

So instead of starting with the increase pattern right away, you offset it by a stitch or two.

For example:

R3 might be: 1 sc, 2 sc in next (repeat)
Then R4: start with 2 regular scs before you begin repeating 2 sc in next, 1 sc in next 3, etc.

This change in the position of the increases breaks up the stack and keeps your edges smooth and round. It works with double crochet stitches, too (which are taller and more likely to form corners).

You’ll really see the difference when you’re learning how to crochet a circle that’s truly round — not polygonal.

Watch the Video Tutorial

If you’re a visual learner (hi, me too!), you’re going to love this.

I filmed a step-by-step tutorial to walk you through everything — from creating a magic ring, placing your first single crochet, handling the tail end of the yarn, and building out the third round, next stitch, and beyond.

It’s especially helpful if you’re still figuring out how to crochet a circle and want to see it in action.

👉 Scroll down and hit play. It’ll all click, I promise.

TIP: To view this video tutorial properly, please disable any ad-blocker you have running.

Most Asked Questions About Crocheting Circles

You’re not the only one with questions about crocheting circles. Here are five of the most common ones I hear all the time — along with answers that (hopefully!) make everything a little easier.

1. Why won’t my crochet circle lie flat?

This is probably the #1 question — and it’s usually about stitch count or placement of increases.

If your circle is wavy or ruffled, you might be increasing too much in each round. If it curls up like a bowl, you probably need more increases.

Try sticking to a consistent basic formula: increase by the same number of stitches in each next round. And check that you’re not accidentally adding extra stitches or skipping any by mistake.

2. Do I have to use a magic circle?

No — but it really helps!

You can start with a foundation chain and join it into a ring, but it leaves a hole in the center. If you’re making amigurumi toys or face scrubbies, that hole will be noticeable.

The magic ring (or magic loop) lets you pull the center tight, which looks cleaner and more polished.

3. Can I use any type of stitch to crochet a circle?

Yes! You can make circles using single crochet stitches, half double crochet, or double crochet stitches. You just have to adjust your starting stitch count and how many increases you make per round.

The taller the stitch, the more stitches you’ll need to start with.

4. What’s the difference between joined rounds and spiral rounds?

Joined rounds mean you join with a sl st at the end of each round. This creates a clear round shape, but can leave a visible seam.

Spiral rounds (aka the spiral method) don’t have joins — you just keep crocheting in a continuous circle. It looks seamless, but you’ll need a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch in each round.

5. How do I make my circle stop turning into a hexagon?

Ah yes — the classic “hexagon circle.”

This happens when your increases stack up in the same spots every round. It forms points instead of a smooth edge.

To fix it, shift the position of the increases in each round. Start in a slightly different spot so they don’t line up on top of each other. That one tiny adjustment will make your circle look much more… circular!

Final Thoughts

Crocheting a circle is one of those skills that shows up in more patterns than you’d expect — from face scrubbies and amigurumi to rugs, mandalas, and hats.

It might take a little practice, a few odd shapes, and some pulling out, but once it clicks… you’ll wonder how you ever struggled with it.

So don’t give up. You’re on the right track.

Play around with the spiral method, test out different crochet stitches, try different yarns, and most importantly — find your own crochet style.

Because at the end of the day, there’s no “perfect” way to crochet… just the one that makes you happy.

💛 Happy stitching.

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