Crocheting in the round allows you to easily crochet circular objects such as hats, ornaments, table place mats, even cups. To begin a design that you work in rounds, you first have to create a center ring. The center ring is the foundation for all crocheted designs that are worked in rounds — just like the foundation chain you use when working in rows. The center ring is the circle created by several chain stitches joined together to form a circle, or it can be just a single chain stitch.

Usually items work in rounds are started by crocheting several chains which you join with a slip stitch.

. Joining a Ring
When making a motif for an afghan, stitches are worked around a center ring. To begin these projects, you first join a series of chain stitches and join the first and last stitches of the round to complete the circle.

1. Insert the hook into the first stitch in the same way you usually do on a foundation row.


2. Yarn over, then draw the yarn through both the stitch and the loop that is already on the hook.  Slip stitch completed.


3. You have just made a ring.



. Base Adjustable Ring
This is an alternative method of creating a base ring for working in the round. This method allows you to pull the ring tightly closed after working the first round so that there is no hole whatsoever at the center of the work.  The hook is inserted into the center of the ring, so the stitches will wrap around the beginning stitch.

1. Make a large loop with your yarn, leaving a 4" tail trailing from your loop. With the hook, draw working yarn through the loop.


2. The hook is inserted into the center of the ring, so the stitches will wrap around the beginning stitch. Chain 1.  You have now initiated the adjustable ring.


3. Follow the pattern instructions to determine how many stitches to work in the ring. Once the first round of stitches is complete, pull the tail snugly to close the ring and create a perfect first round.




. Work into a Ring
The first round is worked over the ring.


1. Insert the hook into the center of the ring, instead of into the chain stitch. Complete the stitch in the usual way.

2. Follow the pattern instructions to determine how many stitches to work in the ring.

3. You close each round with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain. If you are making a hat or project requiring a spiral shaping, you do not end each round with a slip stitch, instead you continue stitching, each round continues out of the previous one.

4. In subsequent rounds, stitches are worked into the top loops of the next stitch in the usual way.