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Crocheting in the Round

crochet australia crochet in the round

After the wet weather that many of us have been experiencing for the past few months, we all need an escape and a way of relaxing. Crocheting, knitting and tatting are some of those things that can achieve this, and Working in the Round in particular has huge meditative qualities – as the repetitive circular activity creates a more continuous flow and rhythm to our actions. 

crochet rounds vs rowsNot to mention your work grows quickly as the beginning of circles are small and rounds can be finished in no time at all.  What I also like is that the front is almost always facing you, so you don’t get lost with turning your work.  But remember that the stitches from the row below line up differently.

When you refer to working in the round, most people associate this with mandalas.  However it is far broader than this.  Working in the round and creating circles also applies to:

  • Amigurumi
  • Hats and beanies
  • Doilies and coasters
  • Dreamcatcher
  • Seamless tops and jumpers 
  • Bags and baskets
  • Jug covers
  • Jewellery
  • Socks and mittens 

Working in the round is such a versatile technique and can be done with any yarn.  The smaller projects are also a great way of using up scraps and left over yarn from other projects and experimenting with colour.   
 
There are essentially two techniques for working in the round and both have their places:

  • rounds that join – best used when working with tall stitches – eg trebles and double trebles.
  • spiral or continuous rounds – best with double crochets, and almost always used in amigurumi.

Whichever method you are using there are some essential tools – markers to help keep track of the beginning, needles for creating invisible joins when changing colours frequently, and row counters for keeping track of your increases!  When I’m teaching crocheting in the round, it’s often the quietest class I have as people are busy counting and keeping track of where they are with their increases!   
 
If you are a knitter, double ended or circular needles are a must.  And if using circular needles ensure they are not too long! 
 
Other techniques to master include: 

  • the magic ring for tight centres
  • invisible joins, particularly with frequent colour changes and on the last round.
  • invisible increases and decreases when doing amigurumi. (See our tip on this technique here)
  • the formula for flat circles (see our tip for the magic formula here

Check out our range of patterns, yarns and tools below to get you working in the round. 

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