Be Crafty: Crochet in the Round

Welcome back to the world of crochet! Tell me, have you enjoyed making your projects? I would seriously love to see what you have done so far.

How did the double crochet go? Was it easy? Did your project with the double crochet go faster than the single crochet?

Which stitch do you prefer? The single crochet or the double crochet? I prefer the double crochet. The projects go faster with the larger stitch, and it’s not so large that toes and fingers slide easily between the stitches.

There are a lot of things that you can make with either stitch. One item that I love to make are blankets. Most blankets are made either rectangular or square/ In rows or corner-to-corner. My favorite blanket is circular. I am a huge Captain America fan. One of the projects I am currently working on is a blanket that looks like his shield.

If you’re wondering how to make an awesome blanket like this, or maybe even a hat, then you will want to learn how to crochet in the round. The basic premise of this is very easy. From the basic premise, the variations are vast in what you can do. Take a look at some of the different ways you can crochet in the round.

When you crochet in the round, you are not necessarily be crocheting in a circle. Some will end up as squares, or a ripple effect, or any shape that you can construct. There are so many possibilities when you can crochet in the round. You can do one large project, or make smaller pieces that you put together to make something larger. I belong to a group on Ravelry that every so often, we would make 6-inch squares to send to someone. The squares we made were usually done in the round.

Just a review of some of the terms and abbreviations that we will use:

ch – chain: yo, pull through the loop on the hook.
sl st – slip stitch: insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull through st and loop on hook.
dc – double crochet: yo, insert hook in st indicated, yo, pull yarn through st, yo, pull through two loops, yo, pull through remaining two loops
Beg ch-3: the first 3 chains at the beginning of a round or row. It most always counts as the first dc of the round or row.

To do these lessons you will need yarn, such as Red Heart Super Saver, Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn or Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice. You will also need a size K/6.5 mm hook, scissors, and a blunt needle for weaving in ends.

Starting Out

To crochet in the round, you start out by making four chains, slip stitch to the first chain made. This will make a loop.

Chain 3. Remember, this counts as the first double crochet. Here’s where starting the project will differ from crocheting in rows. Yo, insert hook into the ring – not into the bumps on the back of the chains. Make 10 more dc’s, then slip stitch to the top of the beg ch-3. You should have 12 dc’s. This completes your first round! Congratulations!

Round two:

Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitches the sl st from the previous round. 2 dc in each stitch around. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. You should have 24 dc’s.

Round 3:

Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitch as the sl st from the previous round. Dc in the next st. In the remaining stitches, the pattern will be worked over 2 stitches. You will do 2 dc in the next stitch, one dc in the stitch after that. Repeat this 10 more times. You will have 36 dc (2 in the first st, 1 in the second st, 2 in the third st, 1 in the fourth st, ect).

This is the basic pattern to crochet in the round. Each row you increase the number of stitches between the 2 dc in the same stitch. For example, in round 4, you will do 2 dc in the first st, and 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts. In round 5, 2 dc in the first st, and 1 dc in each of the next 3 sts.

Now, are you ready for lesson #2? I have another one for you. This should be just as easy, if not easier. This lesson is what my sister calls my “bread and butter” of crochet. It’s the Granny Square. The basic Granny is simple, and you will learn a new stitch called the shell stitch. The shell stitch is just 3 dc worked in the same space or stitch. This is one of the first stitches that I learned 27 years ago when I started to crochet.

Man, I’m old…

To start the square

ch 4, sl st to first ch. 2 dc into the loop. This is beg shell. Ch 2, 3 dc into the loop. Your first shell stitch is just complete! Ch 2, 3 dc in the loop. Ch 2, 3 dc in the loop. Ch 3 and sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. This is the first round.

Round two:

Turn your work. Ch 3, 2 dc in the ch-2 space. Ch-2, 3 dc in the same ch-2 space. In the other three ch- 2 spaces, work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc. In patterns, you will usually see this as: in each ch-2 sp (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Yay for round 2!

Round three:

Turn your work. Ch 3, 2 dc in between the next 2 shell stitches. 3 dc, ch-2, 3 dc in the same ch-2 space. 3 dc in between the next 2 shell stitches.(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch- 2 space. Repeat 3 dc in between the next 2 shell stitches.(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch- 2 space until all 4 sides are complete. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.

Round four:

turn your work. Ch 3, 2 dc in between each of the next 2 shell stitches. 3 dc, ch-2, 3 dc in the same ch-2 space. 3 dc in between each of the next 2 shell stitches.(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch- 2 space. Repeat 3 dc in between each of the next 2 shell stitches.(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch- 2 space until all 4 sides are complete. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.

I normally stop after four rounds, unless I am making a square to a specific size. You finish off the square like you have the other projects.

Okay, let’s put this into practice. I have a pattern for a simple hat. For this pattern, you will need yarn such as Red Heart Super Saver, Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn, or Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice. You will also need a size K/6.5 mm hook, scissors, and a blunt needle for weaving in ends.

To start:

Ch 4, sl st to first ch

Round 1:

ch 3, 11 dc in the loop, sl st to top of beg ch-3. 12 sts.

Round 2:

ch 3, dc in the same st. 2 dc in each stitch around. Sl st to top of beg ch-3. 24 sts

Round 3:

ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st. Work the following pattern over the next 22 sts: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st. 36 sts.

Round 4:

ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts. Work the following pattern over the next 33 sts: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts. 48 sts.

Round 5:

ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts. Work the following pattern over the next 44 sts: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts. 60 sts.

Rounds 6-13:

ch 3, 1 dc in each st around. 60 sts.

Round 14:

ch 1, sc in the same st, sc in each st around. 60 sts. Finish off and weave in the ends.

Enjoy your hat!

What About You?

If you make the square or the hat, please post a picture of it in the comments. I would love to see what you have created.

Remember, knowledge isn’t just knowing something.  It’s living it!

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