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!

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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).

 

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Comments

[donnabgoode]

I liked it all - esp. the circle demo.
I hope I am including everything to
sign on.
sidonnabright@yahoo.com

[Michaela]

Hi, Thanks so much four your tutorial. It is very helpful. I wonder if you have any tips regarding the changing of colour at each of the rounds. I find it hard to keep my joins invisible. There always seems to be a visible idfference between my chains and treble or half treble, whichever I am using. I have tried several ways of joining the new yarn and will try your way also but any advice you could offer would be great! I love your site and feel inspired by all the beautiful things you make! Thanks! Michaela

[Kyle]

What size hook do you use?

[Darlene]

Thank you, Lucy, for this great tutorial. I just found this one and it's quite helpful.

[flats to rent in birmingham]

They would make a great little coaster.

[Victoria Ham]

Beautifully clear instructions, my colour changes aren't quite as neat, but improving. The only problem is I just can't seem to stop!!! I'm up to row 23.

It does tend to curl as someone else noticed but with each round the previous one seemed to flatten out.

God knows where it's going to end.

Thank you.

[Katrina]

I love your patterns!!! After much frustration I found your blog and your patterns were the key to unlocking the crochet code for me. I've made a ripple blanket for my pup and I am HOOKED on granny squares. You should so write a pattern book!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please keep the pattern tutorials coming:)

[Lu]

Hi Lucy!

Thank you so much for your lovely ideas and tutorials. Great!

I've made lots of these sweet birdies for my family as christmas presents.

Liebe Grüße from Germany :o),
Lu

[Sonja]

Hi Lucy, I have the same question: each time my flat circles curl, like I have too many stitches, it starts around rd 7 & curls up, What am I doing wrong?
Greetings,
Sonja (Holland)

[Jeanne]

Hi Lucy,

I just wanted to say "thank you" to you for posting this tutorial. I've seen other instructions that claim that the circle lays flat, but in fact it does not. Yours is the first that actually works!

Jeanne

[Anika kim]

wonderful!!!!!the only website who explains clearly!
greetings from Canada,British Colombia

[deba]

hello Lucy you are a very successful woman.happy wemens' day.

[vicky]

brilliant and you have got me back into crochet thanks so much for sharing all your great patterns with us all..illpost my resuls eventually

[Liz]

Hi Lucy, I was recently introduced to your blog and I am now an Attic24 addict and rapidly becomming a crochet addict too!!
I'm currently making a flat circle for a cushion cover but I'm finding it's becomming a bit 'frilly' rather than flat. I also don't know how you get your stitches so tight and neat!
any tips?
thanks :o)
Liz

[marta]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[Elsa]

I use this method for making hats. I count in my head as I go, so if I'm working a round with 3 st between the doubled stitches, I count:

1,2, (that's the doubled stitches - 1 and 2 are always doubled)
3, 4, 5 (and that way all I have to remember is that I'm working to 5. It takes very little concentration for me, which is nice, since I'm usually multi-tasking.

Hope that helps someone! :)

[desi]

*Cries* I'm folowing the instructions but I keep making a bowl.. my round is not flat... where am I messing up on?

[reve de souris]

Merci beaucoup pour ces tutos....j'en rêvait et je les ai enfin trouvé grace à toi! Bravo pour ton blog...il est très chouette! je reviendrais souvent!!

[fabiana]

Hermososssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[make handmade]

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing

[Marina van Rijswijk]

Hello from Cape Town, South Africa. This is the BEST crochet site on the entire www. Only problem is, I spend so much time looking at what you offer, that I don't have much time left for actually crocheting! Thank you so much!

[silvina]

Hi! First, pardon my english as its a second language. I wanted to let you know how much i like your blog. I'm making some birdies for my daughter's bedroom and but many of your proyets are so nice that I want to finish soon so I can start them... some cushions, the gorgeous snake, maybe some day a blanket... Anyway, thanks for all the hard work of sharing. Your explanations are very clear!!
Silvina, writing from Argentina.

[Anna]

Thanks for your tuts, Attic 24! I just discovered your blog, and you solved several of my crochet problems already! Into my Favorites you go!
Anna

[Olivia Brannon]

From Spokane, WA: I love your blog and your work. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Christine Curtis]

Thank you from Florida, USA. Your so creative that I'm pulling out my hook again to try and make your colorful afghan! Please post the directions for all of us.