How To: Crochet In The Spiral – Easy Tutorial
When I first started on my crochet journey an odd 5 years ago I never could have dreamed that I would still be as in love with crochet today as I was all those dozens of months ago! The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating something truly special and unique as hundreds of techniques and stitches are in our arsenal (or overflowing Pinterest boards), ready and waiting to be used in interesting combinations to design beautiful pieces to wear or adorn our homes.
Today I’m excited to be sharing with you one of my favourite crochet techniques, on how to crochet in the spiral! If you’ve tried out a few of my patterns over the last couple of years you may have noticed that plenty of my hat and baby bootie patterns use this clever approach to the standard manner of crocheting in the round.
Crocheting in the spiral is the technique of working in the round in a continuous manner, without joining the separate rounds with a slip stitch. You’ll notice how using this technique eliminates any trace of an unsightly seam, keeping your work nice and neat. It also creates a unique spiral design (thus the name), making it the perfect method to use when crocheting all those pretty beanies, sturdy baskets and beautiful rugs!
Learning a new crochet technique always leaves me giddy with excitement and eager to try it out – How about you? If you’re keen to challenge yourself this weekend, you’re in luck as this helpful step-by-step video tutorial will guide you through all the necessary steps needed to learn how to “Crochet in the Spiral“; In an easy to follow speed!
Stiches & Abbreviations
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
Pattern
Note: Crocheting in the spiral is the technique of working in the round in a continuous manner, without joining the separate rounds with a slip stitch.The most common ways to start the 1st round is by crocheting in the 1st foundation chain or making a magic circle.
SC Version
Rnd 1: Ch2 (counts as 1st sc), 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in every st. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * all around. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * all around. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (24 sts)
HDC Version
Rnd 1: Ch2 (counts as 1st hdc), 7 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 hdc in every st. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (16 sts)
Rnd 3: *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st. Repeat from * all around. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: *1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Repeat from * all around. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (32 sts)
DC Version
Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as 1st dc), 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 dc in every st. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * all around. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (36 sts)
Rnd 4: *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st. Repeat from * all around. Do not sl st in the 1st st of this rnd. (48 sts)
Repeat
Then for rnd 5, crochet 1 sc/hdc/dc in each of the first 3 sts, and 2 sc/hdc/dc in the following st. For rnd 6, crochet 1 sc/hdc/dc in each of the next 4 sts, and 2 sc/hdc/dc in the following st. And so on and so forth…
Finishing
SC Version
When you reach the last 2 sts of the rnd, sl st in each of the next 2 sts. Join with a sl st to the 1st st of this rnd.
HDC Version
When you reach the last 2 sts of the rnd, (1 hdc, 1 sc) in the next st, (2 sc) in the next st. Join with a sl st to the 1st st of this rnd.
DC Version
When you reach the last 2 sts of the rnd, (1 dc, 1 hdc) in the next st, (1 hdc, 1 sc) in the next st. Join with a sl st to the 1st st of this rnd.
Is there a specific crochet stitch or interesting technique you’d love to learn? I’m always open to new ideas and inspiration when it comes to sharing crochet with the world!
Be sure to use the tag #hopefulhoneyhive on Instagram to show me your mini bean stitches!
Have a lovely day crocheting…
Thanks, Olivia, I needed to know this for a project.
Dear Olivia, I think your crochet journey is successful…. cause this is a lovely little piece you jus made here… way to go… love from us … 🙂
How then do you end if you want to make round cloths.
You are a beautiful young lady with an inspiring story.
Thank you, So simple and easy Tutorial. I have one request can you make tutorial on embroidery Machines? i would like to learn embroidery machines.
Thought this would be great to use all my scrap yarns. How would I square it after I get to the end? Thanks.
Hi Olivia,
Great post about crocheting spirals! I love using this technique for hats, centerpieces, and more!
By the way, I absolutely love the style of your Blog! It is so pretty! My Blog has more of a blue theme, and I’ve been really working on finding my consistent style.
Thanks again! 🙂
I continued beyond the rounds specified in your tutorial with the repeat method at the end and i’m afraid it doesn’t work for single crochet.
If your going to go bigger, it’s important to do a whole round of single crochet between increases, otherwise your work will buckle because there’s too many stitches being added each round.
– increase round to the stitch marker
-single crochet in every stitch to the stitch marker
-increase round
-single crochet in every stitch
and so on and so forth…
Happy crocheting!!! 😉
Hey there! Thankyou, first, for this comment. I thought I did it wrong.
Used this pattern with DC for two baby blankets. 1st one had to many stitches and buckled … Figured I counted wrong and made another … Each is 25 rounds, about 32 inches across. I was a maniac counting stitches on the second one and still it buckled.
So, if I do the sc every other round, as it gets larger, is that like doing 2 rounds, exactly the same? And when do I start with sc if I’m doing DC? I didn’t notice buckling until my 7th or 8th round.
How will doing this reduce the buckling, over all?
I’d love to see you do a tutorial for a triple yo-yo square!
Stumbled across your site love how you give a video as well as instructions
After doing the chain,how many holes are you adding to?Your video is too fast to follow.
Hi Olivia, please help. I have continued past row four as I am making a blanket. But the pattern(increase) for row 5,6,7 ect.
Do you just follow pattern for first four stitches and the rest single crochet because I keep ending up with to many stitches and it keeps curling, I must of undone it ten times now.
Olivia, I wondered that as well. But heard her say to continue to add 12 stitches in each row. So, row 5, take out the marker do a double or single whichever you were doing , in the next stitch, put the marker back in, that was one stitch. Do a double (or whatever one you used) again in the next 3 stitches, *2 doubles in the next same stitch, 3 doubles in the next three. Continue from the star till you meet the marker. Next row will have 4 stitches then 2 in the same. Next row will have 5 stitches then 2 in the same. You keep adding one more stitch each row. I tried it and when I count I have 12 more stitches than the previous row spread out evenly around the circle. Hope this helps!
Got that down but how do you end the the spiral?
Could you do a video for the finish? I’m self thought so the crotchet jargon is very confusing to me. The written finish left me more confused then I was originally.
How do you end it. Is so confusing
Hola Olivia tour explanation IS wonderful and handy. Thanks top much!!
I love this spiral stitch pattern. However, when I get to round 5 my work is buckling. I’ve pulled it out & redone it many times. I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. Please help!
Can you use this stich for a hat
Good instructions I’m just a learner
Dear Olivia, can I do this using a 3ply yarn? If so what should be the hook size? Thanks in advance. Love your videos <3
Hi Olivia! Been following your designs since I first discovered you on YouTube with some adorable fingerless gloves. Made myself a set (red with gold buttons) and had many requests for the same! You have now given me something else I was looking for in a much easier format! It took me much less time to do this circle, than the one I attempted to do with another tutorial. To others: In Olivia’s Repeat paragraph, only do the format you began with. If single crochets, then do only the sc portion. If you did half double crochets, then the hdc. Same for double crochet–do only the dc portion. You simply add an additional stitch for every additional row. For example: 3 dc in each of the next 3 stitches, then two dc in the next stitch. Next row, 4 dc in each of the next 4 stitches, then two dc in the next stitch. Next row, 5/2. Next row, 6/2. I’m not a pattern writer, but I tried to make this easy to understand even for beginners. Hope it helps! Olivia, thank you for a terrific pattern and method for doing this. 🙂
Do you have a pattern for this but with a hair tie or a hole for a ponytail or messy bun?
How do i end this. you pleas show me. Inger Lise from Norwegian
thanks for the instructions! i had to adjust them a little to make it work for me. at first, it was cupping pretty badly pretty early on, and i couldnt figure out what the problem was. i’m doing single crochets, using size 6 / super bulky yarn, with a hook that’s LABELLED size K / 6.mm, but measures closer to M / 9mm.
i was doing 6 stitches in the first round like you said, and it kept cupping at the start no matter how i adjusted my tension (couldn’t use a larger hook because i don’t have a larger hook). i tried doing it with and without a magic circle, same problem either way.
what fixed it was when i tried doing 8 stitches in the first round instead of 6, and then following your instructions thereafter. i’ve made it past the 5th round so far and it appears to be laying flat like it should. got the idea from this article: https://eyeloveknots.com/2018/07/4-ways-to-deal-with-cupping.html
Saw your video tutorial for making a spiral. The video was very easy to follow and very helpful. Is it possible to get the written instructions? Thank you!
Beautifully done Olivia! I wish you would other stitches such as ‘ crochet i square, hexagon, rectangular. oval, etc’.
I have MS but can crochet I would like a printed instruction for this spiral round I can pay u money for that if it isn’t too much. I can write but u can’t read it. I do crochet it is amazing that I can do this tried to write it but couldn’t read my writing I hope u can help me with this pattern Thank you &; God Bless
I think I followed the directions for the round coaster, but it won’t lay flat. What might be the problem?