Crocheting in the round is a method of crafting seamless projects with any of your regular crochet hooks. Whether you're making hats, adorable Amigurumi patterns, coasters, or doilies, the crochet technique opens up a world of possibilities. Instead of going row by row, you go round by round without turning your project or the directing of your stitching. Seamless patterns also avoid the issue of seaming later with a finishing needle. In this blog, we'll walk you through the steps to successfully crochet in the round and offer tips to enhance your skills. If you want to expand your skills, refer to our guide on how to Tunisian crochet in the round.
Getting Started
Crocheting in the round is not much different than working on a flat pattern. The only difference is that the stitches are joined and the project is seamless. It's essential to have a good understanding of the basic crochet stitches and techniques. You work with your regular single-ended crochet hooks in the size mentioned in the pattern. Having a crochet hook set provided multiple sizes in one place. If you own interchangeable Tunisian crochet hooks, you can proceed with the project; just don’t attach the cord. For yarn, you get information in the pattern, or making a gauge swatch will assist you.
Firstly, familiarize yourself with the slip stitch, chain stitch, crochet stitches, and the magic ring (which is also known as magic circle) techniques. These are the basic building blocks of crocheting in the round. They can be used alternatively, according to your pattern instructions. Secondly, how you work crochet circumferences depends on what you are creating. If it’s a hat, you can start from the top. If it’s a cowl, you simply crochet a tube and join stitches. For a sweater or a tee, you work in the seamless round and follow different techniques to join stitches. This sweater construction works mainly like knitting with either a yoke or raglan increases or decreases, depending on whether you work top to bottom or the other way round.
Crocheting in the Round
1. Slip Stitching the Chain Stitches
The traditional way to start a round crochet project is to make chain stitches and join them with a slip stitch. Once you have a circle, you keep making stitches in the round. You can work with single crochet (SC), and double crochet (DC) stitches. This method leaves a minute hole in the middle. Think of classic granny squares to hats and coasters; you can design anything. Though there are many pros to the method, there are cons too. Uneven tension while expanding the round will spoil the look of the project. Where the stitch is joined, you are left with a visible bump on the fabric. When worked over many rounds, you will find the slip stitches leaning right or left.
2. Joining the round with Back Loop Only
Crocheting in the back loop only is a technique used for practical purposes and decoration. If you have an Amigurumi pattern that requires a neat join at the round, you can simply insert the crochet hook in the back loop only and work your stitch pattern.
3. Crocheting in the Round with Magic Ring and Increases
Known as the magic ring or the magic circle, this crochet technique is used to start a project without any hole in the middle of it. Typically working like an adjustable slip knot, the magic ring creates a tight center for your round projects. Our previous guide on how to crochet a magic circle will walk you through the steps and everything else you need to know about the technique.
Hold the tail of the yarn with your non-dominant hand and wrap the string around your fingers, creating a loop similar to making a slip knot. Insert the hook through the loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Chain 1 to secure the loop. You have an adjustable loop that you can cinch and tighten anytime while working on the project until you secure the yarn by weaving it in. Start the first round by cropping the required number of stitches into the magic ring, working over the yarn tail and the loop to close the round. Expand your project evenly by increasing the number of stitches in each round. Common ways to increase stitches include working 2 single crochets in the same stitch (2 sc in the same st) or a single crochet followed by a chain stitch in the same stitch (sc, ch 1 in the same st). On completing a round, join with a slip stitch to the first stitch creating a smooth transition between rounds and helping maintain the circular shape.
These three techniques are handy when it comes to crochet in the round. To finish off your project, you follow the same steps as when you crochet flat patterns. Once you've reached the desired size or completed the required number of rounds for your project, fasten off and cut the yarn. Leave a tail, and pull it through your last loop. Weave in the yarn tail with a finishing needle.
Get ready to crochet in the round but remember to stay patient and enjoy the process. Once you get the hang of the techniques, don’t be afraid to experiment with different yarns, colors, and patterns. Working with premium crochet hooks from the Lantern Moon Collection is a smooth crafting experience. Handcrafted by skilled artisans with precious ebony wood, each hook has a luxury-silk finish. Lightweight in the hands of the maker, the hooks prevent fatigue and enhance the crocheting experience. Explore the individual pieces or crochet hooks sets of single-ended and Tunisian hooks.