Crocheting a flat circle may seem like a pretty basic project to learn so why is it so important? Well, if you have read my ‘What is Amigurumi? And why you will love it!’ tutorial then you will know that crochet circle forms the basis of the Amigurumi technique you will be using to make your adorable crochet toys. Traditionally you can make crochet circles using basic single, half double or double crochet stitches while joining each round with a slip stitch to form a complete circle. However, to make your Amigurumis, you will need to crochet your circles in spiral using a single crochet stitch only. There are three different ways to make a single crochet spiral circle but only one method shows you how to crochet a perfect circle! If you want to find out which method it is then keep on reading. 🙂

Abbreviations Used

This pattern is written using US crochet terminology

MR: magic ring – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi

ST: stitch

SC: single crochet stitch

INC: increase = two single crochet stitches in the same stitch

(…..) x 6: repeat the pattern inside the brackets six times

(…..) x 5: repeat the pattern inside the brackets five times

{…}: number shown inside these brackets equals the number of total stitches at the end of each round

Materials and Equipment

Yarn I used:

– Fine Sport #2 = 4 ply

– 55% cotton and 45% acrylic

– pink yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 36 – (50g/160m)

I like to purchase my YarnArt Jeans from Amazon HERE or from Etsy HERE. But you can use any 100% cotton yarn as it will work just as well.

Crochet hook: I used 3mm = C/2, if using different weight of yarn then refer to hook size recommendations on the yarn but go one size smaller. I highly recommend this ergonomic crochet hook set from Amazon as it comes in a stylish case and with other accessories such as stitch markers etc.

Other equipment used: scissors, yarn needle, stitch marker or thin yarn to use instead

How to Crochet a Perfect Circle – The Basics

When crocheting a circle in Amigurumi, you will start your first round with a magic ring and 6 x single crochet stitches. You will then continue to crochet in spiral while increasing 6 times in each round. Keeping a count of your stitches and increases is very important, which is why I highly recommend to use a stitch marker every single time. If your crochet circle ends up looking ‘wavy’ or misshapen this means that you have increased too many times. On the other hand, if your circle  ‘curls up’ into a bowl then you have missed an increase somewhere. In both cases, you will need to go through your work round by round to check where the mistake occurred so you can correct it. As mentioned earlier I am going to show you 3 different methods how to crochet a circle for your Amigurumi projects. I have included 10 rounds in each pattern but you can of course continue crocheting in spiral for as many rounds as you wish. Just follow the same technique and don’t forget to increase in each round.

How to Crochet a Perfect Circle – Method #1

This is the traditional and most commonly used method of crocheting a flat circle in spiral using a single crochet stitch. Although this technique is pretty straightforward to follow, the result is not an ideal circle. You will end up with a shape which looks more like a hexagon rather than a circle. This is because your increases are always on top of each other. I still use this method as a foundation for making different parts of my Amigurumi toys such as heads, arms, legs and bodies. This is because the shape of the circle is not so important; the circle will not stay flat since you will continue to work on it to make it into a body part.

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}

R4: (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 6 {24}

R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}

R6: (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 6 {36}

R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}

R8: (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 6 {48}

R9: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}

R10: (SC in next 8 ST, INC) x 6 {60}

How to Crochet a Perfect Circle – Method #2

This is a method quite a few crocheters recommend in their tutorials so of course I was tempted to test it myself. It is a slight variation on the previous pattern so still quite simple to follow. You need to alternate the placement of the increases in each round so they are not on the top of each other. The completed circle is somewhat rounder than the previous version but still looking more like a hexagon. I don’t really use this technique on any of my projects as I believe it gives you a pretty similar result as Method #1.

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}

R4: (INC, SC in next 2 ST) x 6 {24}

R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}

R6: (INC, SC in next 4 ST) x 6 {36}

R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}

R8: (INC, SC in next 6 ST) x 6 {48}

R9: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}

R10: (INC, SC in next 8 ST) x 6 {60}

How to Crochet a Perfect Circle – Method #3

This must be my favorite method of crocheting a circle as it gives you a nice round circle. The technique is similar to Method#2 where you alternate your increases so they are not on the top of each other. However, you take the alternation to the next level as shown in the pattern below. I always use this method when making ears for my crochet animals because they looks so much nicer this way. But you can of course use this pattern as a basis for crocheting all of your Amigurumi toy parts.

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}

R2: INC in each ST around {12}

R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}

R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}

R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}

R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}

R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}

R8: SC in next 3 ST, INC, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {48}

R9: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}

R10: SC in next 4 ST, INC, (SC in next 8 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {60}

The Best Method to Use

So there you have it! Method#1 is absolutely fine to use for most of your toy parts that will not stay flat. But Method#3 is the one to use if you want to crochet a perfect circle. If you would like to check out how I use each method in my patterns then go ahead and explore my free Amigurumi patterns. My patterns range from easy patterns for beginners right through to a more advanced level. So you are bound to find some you will love. They are full of step by step instructions and photos that are easy to follow. You may also want to browse through my Amigurumi tutorials to learn the basics before you get started. And if you prefer to download a printable version of my patterns that are ad free and inexpensive, then visit my Etsy shop here.

Happy crocheting! 🙂

Some of My Free Amigurumi Patterns for You to Enjoy:

Free Crochet Pig Pattern
Free Crochet Sheep Pattern
Free Crochet Elephant Pattern