In this tutorial, I will show you how to crochet a circle step by step, with a detailed photo tutorial and an easy magic formula that will make the circle lay flat and keep it round.

This tutorial is using single crochet stitch to make a circle, but the method can be used with half double crochet and double crochet stitch, with adjustment to the beginning number of stitches.

A crochet circle is a basic method for so many different items.

Easy Formula for a Flat and Perfectly Round Crochet Circle

The rule of thumb is to add 1 more stitch between the increased stitches in each round.
The simple formula for a perfect ROUND crochet circle (instead of a hexagon) is that you have 2 types of rounds:

1. When you have an odd number of stitches between the increased stitches: you first work the odd number of stitches and then the increased stitch.
2. When you have an even number of stitches between the increased stitches: you start the round with half the stitches, work the increased stitch, then continue working the full number of stitches until the increased stitch, and repeat working the full amount of stitches followed by an increase stitch 5 times, then work the other half of the stitches to complete the round.
   

For example, if we reach a round where we have 3 stitches between the increased stitches, the round repetitions will look like this: (1sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) x 6 times.
And then for the next round we have 4 stitches between the increased stitches, so we need to start with 2 stitches, and the round repetitions will look like this: 1sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, (1sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) x 5 times, 1sc in next 2 sts. 
So you are working 4 stitches between each increased stitch, but the round is shifted and “cut in half”.

How to Crochet a Circle Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial

Make a magic ring

Round 1:
Ch1, 6sc into the ring, pull the ring tight, ss to 1^st sc. (6 sc)

Round 2:
Ch1, inc in each sc around, ss to 1^st sc. (12 sc)

Round 3:
Ch1, (1sc in next sc, inc in next sc) x 6 times, ss to 1^st sc. (18 sc)

Round 4:
Ch1, 1sc in next sc, inc in next sc, (1sc in next 2 sc, inc in next sc) x 5 times, 1sc in next sc, ss to 1^st sc. (24 sc)

Round 5:
Ch1, (1sc in next 3 sts, inc in next sc) x 6 times, ss to 1^st sc. (30 sc)

Crochet Continous Circle Vs. Joined Rounds Circle

A crochet circle can be made either with joined rounds where you slip stitch to the first stitch of the round at the end of the round, or in continuous rounds without slip stitching.

For this tutorial, we’ll learn how to crochet a circle using the joined rounds method. I prefer to use this method in projects like baskets or bags.

The continuous method is usually used when making amigurumi, I used it in my Bobbles Christmas Tree and Tiny Lights Christmas Tree. You can use the same formula below to make a continuous circle, just omit the ch1 and slip stitch, and work continuously. 

How to Crochet a Perfect Circle Instead of a Hexagon

So how do you keep a round crochet circle and prevent it from turning into a hexagon?

As you can see in the circle formula above, when increasing each round, if you start with an increase at the first stitch of each round, the result will be increased stitches stacked on top of each other, creating some kind of a hexagon-like circle.

To prevent that, the solution is to shift the place of the increased stitch every round – as you can see in the circle formula above.