Flat Circle

I thought it would be useful to add this circle pattern as a page in it's own right, as it's a very useful pattern to know.

A flat circle can be used to make a round cushion, the bottom of a bag, or as the body shape for my little Birdie Decorations. 

I'm going to be writing this tutorial out using the htr (half treble), but you can work a circle in whatever stitch you fancy. My round cushions and bag bottoms were worked in trebles (US dc stitch) but the basic pattern remains the same. 

htr :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook.

To start :: chain 4 and join to form a ring.

Round 1 :: chain 2, then work 10 htr's into the ring.

Slip stitch into 2nd chain of initial chain-2 to join the round. Fasten off.

You should be able to clearly see and count the eleven stitches you've just created (picture above) :: you'll be working out of these stitches in the next round.

Join in a new colour by tying a knot close to the stitches, as pictured above.

Insert your hook into the stitch directly to the left of your knot, and pull a loop through to the front.

Round 2 :: Chain 2 (as above)

Work 1 htr into same stitch as your chain, as picture above.

Now just have a quick look and see where my two "tail ends" are...see in the above pic they are being held horizontally along the top of the work, pointing to the left???

When I make my first few stitches, I always make sure to hold them like this so that the hook passes underneath them (as above). This is a way of working your ends in as you go, and is a very handy tip to learn. Saves darning them in at the end.

 

Right, on with the round.... **work 2htr's into the next stitch** (this makes a double "V" stitch, or an increase stitch).

Repeat between **, 9 more times.

At the end of round 2, you should clearly be able to see and count 11 lots of double "V" stitches, as pictured above. You'll now have 22 stitches altogether which you'll work out of for the next round.

Slip Stitch into second chain of initial chain-2 to join the round. Fasten off.

Round 3 :: Join in your new colour, hook through to the front and chain 2. Work 1 htr into the same stitch as the chain.

Now work the following :: 1 htr in next stitch,  **2 htr's in next stitch, 1 htr in next stitch**

Repeat between ** , making 1 single htr in between each double "v" stitch, as pictured above.

You should end the round with a single htr in the last stitch...see in the above pic there is still one stitch left to go? Never end a round with a double "V" stitch or else you are making too many stitches and it'll all go horribly wrong!

Slip stitch into 2nd chain of initial chain-2. Fasten off.

Round 4 :: Join in your new colour, hook through to the front and chain 2.

Work 1 htr into the same stitch as the chain.

Now work the following :: 1 htr, 1 htr,  **2 htr's, 1 htr, 1 htr **

Repeat between ** , making 2 single htr stitches in between each double "v" stitch, as pictured above.

Again, make sure you end the round with your 2 single htr's. 

Slip stitch to 2nd chain of initial chain-2. Fasten off.

Round 5 :: Join in your new colour, hook through to the front and chain 2.

Work 1 htr into the same stitch as the chain.

Now work the following :: 1 htr, 1 htr, 1htr **2 htr's, 1 htr, 1 htr, 1 htr **

Repeat between ** , this time making 3 single htr stitches in between each double "v" stitch, as pictured above.

Slip stitch to 2nd chain of initial chain-2. Fasten off.

Round 6 :: Join in your new colour, hook through to the front and chain 2.

Work 1 htr into the same stitch as the chain.

Now work the following :: 1 htr, 1 htr, 1htr, 1htr **2 htr's, 1 htr, 1 htr, 1 htr, 1htr **

Repeat between ** , this time making 4 single htr stitches in between each double "v" stitch.

Slip stitch to 2nd chain of initial chain-2. Fasten off.

 

Round 7 :: Join in your new colour, hook through to the front and chain 2.

Work 1 htr into the same stitch as the chain.

Now work the following :: 1 htr, 1 htr, 1htr, 1htr, 1htr,  **2 htr's, 1 htr, 1 htr, 1 htr, 1htr, 1htr **

Repeat between ** , this time making 5 single htr stitches in between each double "v" stitch, as pictured above.

Slip stitch to 2nd chain of initial chain-2. Fasten off.

Can you see how the pattern forms???

With each round you increase the number of single stitches in between the double "V" stitches.

You need to count carefully.

And you need to makes sure that each round starts with a double stitch (ie a chain-2 + a htr), and ends with the correct number of single stitches.

Good luck!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. However, if you would like to make a donation you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and will be used to fund future projects).

 

xx Thank you xx

Comments

[Karin]

You are the best!
Thank you!

[Javiera Cerda]

So good. I am chilean woman. Y like your work in crochet and your information of your blog. I am starting with my blog http://100x100amano.blogspot.com/
and I hope to build my image and identidy clear.
Saludos desde CHILE

[Gina]

You make it look so easy. I'm off to make a round cushion to match my ripple blanket!

[LizzieAnn]

Thankyou for sewing in ends as you go tip, brilliant. I don't enjoy the sewing in ends job. Does the same work for Granny squares? I will have to try soon. You give away so much on this blog. I am turning into such a groupy, trying everything with such excitment. Love it Thanks x

[Lori Daly]

Thank you Lucy for another grear tutorial. You should have a donations button so we can all give you something little to help you buy more yarn for more projects to teach us.

I can't wait for YOUR granny square tutorial. I know how to make one, but I think I am doing something wrong. They always come out to big.

Also, my circles come out too big. Ginormous. Why is that?

[K. Anne]

I make flat circles by making the double stitch the last one of a group. On the second round, 2 hdc in each stitch, then on the third round 1 single hdc, then two in the second stitch, fourth round two singlesin the first two and then two into the third stitch, etc. So the same, but just backwards. Lol.

[Naomi Rainford]

Thanks for sharing, i just sat in bed and did this part got the hang of it straight away and only took me a hour :o) will do the ickle birdie bits on my next crochet sesh x

[Emily]

I love your directions they are always so precise and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Elena]

Elena and Valentina are kissing you right now..... Thank you sooooooo much we love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...and one for baby x

[Elena]

from cyprus !!!!!

[Vicky]

Completely unrelated to circles, but I love the way you join the colours - its so much better than slip-stitching the new colour in, which is what my crochet book taught me to do. Yours looks so much neater! I've only just started crocheting but am totally addicted (I don't lose stitches like I do with knitting!), and equally addicted to your blog!

[Anna]

Thank you!! I want to make a round pot holder, but didn't know how to make it flat. This is very helpful :-)

[Kelly Bassett]

I just want to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all of your inspiration and tutorials. I know that I speak for others (and myself) when I say that your blog just breeds creative fun!! Some people don't like to share (shame on them) and to know that you love to "pass it on" is a fabulous trait!! You help many people and keep them inspired on a daily basis (myself included in there too!!)!!! Thank you so much Lucy!!

[CindyCB]

Lucy thank you so much for this, it's helped inspire me to get going on some projects yet again, you do it every time! Something interesting I have found is that if you start each colour in a slightly different place it makes the circles even rounder as it evens out the small 'straight' sections if you get me! I join the next colour on with a slip knot hooked through to the front, which works well :)

[Penny]

As a crochet-er of long standing I just wanted to say - brilliant tutorial! Very clear - all those photos! Must have taken ages.

[Charo]

From Spain, thanks a lot for this tutorial.

[Louise]

Well I'm half way through a circle and it just won't make it's mind up what it wants to be! Just when I think it's decided it changes it's plans :-)

[Susan M. Poer]

Thanks so much for all your lovely patterns and advice! I'm making a flat circle in single crochet in the round, but it does keep curling up. Any advice? Maybe I need to switch to DC so I have a join at the end of each round.

[Jillyuk]

Learning crochet and am going to give this a go. Really want to make your Birdie as that would make such a lovely xmas gift they are georgous!. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Marylin Parkin]

I just love your bag, and must try to make one before Christmas for my daughter. Do I just go round and round?? Help, please!!

[kalladawn]

Lucy-my circles are not flat.....they get curly. What am I doing wrong?? Help, please!

[Mary]

Hi Lucy, I just love your site & I am so happy to have found you,your colors & the way you join the different colors of yarn have taught me so much, they are beautiful,I have started to make your circular cushion,3 times & each time they curl, like I have too many stitches, it starts around rd 7 & curls up, I am from USA, so I changed using DC all the way thru.What am I doing wrong.Congrats on the new baby, thank you.

[Ashley Gayle]

Hi Lucy!! I was wondering what kind of yarn you use? The colors are so pretty and I can never find colors like this. And the yarn looks like it feels so nice.

[Pati]

Hello Lucy, I am a complete beginner but have just been recommended your blog and I'm already hooked, I love it! You make gorgeous things and I can't wait to get my yarns (arriving by post) to start following your patterns. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Tita Carre]

Oi, tudo muito lindo por aqui como sempre , parabéns,
http://agulhaetricot.com
http://agulhaetricot.blogspot.com