Before you tackle the full circular needle, master these three essential circles first!
In Part 1 we covered how to start a circular needle the right way. Now in Part 2, we're going deeper — practicing three foundational circle exercises that will make your circular crochet smooth, even, and stress-free. Think of this as your warm-up before the main event!
Why Practice Three Circles First?
Circular crochet is the foundation of almost every amigurumi and doll project. These three circle exercises help you:
- Build muscle memory for consistent tension
- Understand how increases work in the round
- Spot and fix mistakes before they become a problem
- Gain confidence before starting a real project
What You'll Need
- Crochet hook (2.5mm–3.5mm)
- 4-ply milk cotton yarn in 3 different colors (one per circle)
- Stitch marker
- Scissors and tapestry needle
🛍️ Find everything you need at joyclubcrochet.com
🚚 Free shipping on orders over $25!
Circle 1: The Flat Circle (6 stitches)
This is the simplest circle — perfect for getting comfortable with working in the round.
- Start with a magic ring
- Round 1: 6 single crochet into the ring (6 sts)
- Pull ring closed and place stitch marker
- Round 2: 2 single crochet in each stitch (12 sts)
- Fasten off and weave in ends
💡 Your circle should lie flat. If it cups upward, you have too few stitches. If it ruffles, you have too many!
Circle 2: The Medium Circle (increasing evenly)
- Start with a magic ring
- Round 1: 6 single crochet (6 sts)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sts)
- Round 3: *1 sc, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 times (18 sts)
- Round 4: *2 sc, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 times (24 sts)
Circle 3: The Full Practice Circle
Continue the increase pattern from Circle 2 for 2 more rounds. This is the exact foundation used for amigurumi doll heads!
💡 Pro tip: Use a different yarn color for each circle so you can easily compare your tension and stitch consistency.
Watch the Full Tutorial
📺 Watch on YouTube: Three Circles Before Circular Needle — Part 2
Follow along with the video to see exactly how each circle should look at every stage!
What's Next?
Once you've practiced these three circles, you're ready to start your first real amigurumi project! Check out our beginner crochet kits — everything is included, with step-by-step English tutorials.
🛍️ Shop beginner kits at joyclubcrochet.com
How Did It Go?
Drop a 🧶 in the comments and share a photo of your three circles! We love seeing your progress.
Save this post and tag a friend who's learning to crochet! 😊