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

[Sue Morcos]

If I wanted to make a basket with the circle as a base, how do you make the sides go up?

[Lynne Hoyt]

Thanks for the close-up photos. My counting has always been a haphazard thing because I did not 'see' the right placement of stitches. This is the best I have ever seen.

[Kail]

Would this pattern be suitable for making a facial scrubby . Trying to be eco and make myself some make up and face wash pads .

[Carolyn]

Hello,
These are THE BEST instructions I've ever read. If you're not a teacher, you should be! So clear and the pics are fabulous. I'm so glad you made a,point of that last stitch, I always mucked up circles by adding in the extra stitch there. Thank you! It's a great simple, precise instruction. Kind regards, Carolyn. Australia.

[Diane Sherry]

How do I make this bigger as I'd like to make a rug....do I keep increasing the same?
Thank you,
Diane
From Australia ......

[Mary Ann]

how do use crochet a childs hat using the flat circle pattern. Thank you

[Loris Lutke]

I love the colors you used to make this. Can I ask what yarn this is and the colors?

[Lizzie]

Thank you so much :)
As a self taught, left handed crocheter, this is the only tutorial I found that I could understand.
Bless you :)
♡♡♡♡♡

[Dawn Samuel-Davidson]

I finally understand the method of creating a flat circle in crochet. Thankyou. Dxx

[Geraldine]

I will be using this pattern for an oval rug, doing half circles on each end.
Thank You So Much,
SunShine

Iowa, USA

[Kathryn Nighbert]

Thx for sharing Lucy......starting a rug with large cable yarn; it's going to be awesome! Love this craft & all the creative folk sharing their art! KassKrochets 💟💟💟

[Voyager]

To those of you with "curly" problems: Just crochet a plain round (no increases) every once in a while. That will flatten out your circle.

[Cheryl McGowan]

I'm seeing your tutorials just now. They are most helpful, as I've just taken up crochet. It's very nice to see close-up, step-by-step procedures. Thank you for these excellent resources!

[Sarah Eddleston]

Absolutely love it! Thanks so much Lucy.

[Sooza]

Thanks, Lucy, for the fun and inspiration that you bring us with your blog. I just finished dressing up an old floor cushion and I am totally charmed :-)

[Julie Davidson]

Great I've just completed this a little task with some odd wool. Has made a good little coaster.

[Penny Wallington]

What size hook please for the birdies / flat circle please?! Can't wait to try.

[Anneliese]

Thank you for this really very good little tutorial - I am going to make hens - they are so sweet and cute and easy to make.

[Helen]

Thank you - loving this pattern. Even I as a relative beginner is cracking on nicely with this.

[Roxane Brayshaw]

I have been using a lot of your patterns and I started crocheting by using one of your tutorials last year when my mother got terminal cancer and I have crocheted just about everything you have done.

Thanks for the inspiration and the lovely comments it makes be feel all warm and fuzzy whilst sweating it out on the Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise in Australia

[Sally]

How do you get the middle circle so small? I've been making your Christmas baubles too and for the life of me can't get the hole so small unless using magic circle or going into the first chain which I get into a faff with!

Thanks!

[Pamela]

I love this, so simple! And a pattern that works, not hit or miss.

Thank you

One thing I do differently to avoid the polygon effect is to stagger where I put the double htr in relation to the previous row. Produces a much smoother, rounder edge

[Maria]

This is great, the best step by step directions I have seen, can you please tell me what htr is? I am used to single crochet hdc or dc please explain.

[emily]

thanks a lot from Emily I am amazed at the
simplicity of your pattern thanks again from Emily

[emily]

I am a beginner in the world of hooking and this pattern I am able to see in loads of different ways