Counts and fabric both matter
A common UK-double-crochet circle adds six stitches in each round. UK double crochet is US single crochet. The count is a useful starting structure, but yarn, hook and tension still affect flatness. Work a small sample before treating it as the base of a finished project.
Try four counted rounds
- Round 1: make 6 double crochet in a magic ring. Mark the first stitch and close the ring. Work in a spiral for this exercise.
- Round 2: make two double crochet in every stitch: 12.
- Round 3: repeat one double crochet, then an increase, six times: 18.
- Round 4: repeat two double crochet, then an increase, six times: 24. Count the completed stitch tops, not the marker.
Read the count ladder
| Round | Repeat | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Six stitches in the ring | 6 |
| 2 | Increase in each stitch | 12 |
| 3 | One plain stitch, increase | 18 |
| 4 | Two plain stitches, increase | 24 |
An increase here means two complete stitches in the same base. Those two new tops each count as a stitch. The practice formula adds six extra tops per round.
Diagnose before adding another round
If the centre forms a bowl, check for missed increases and a very tight start. If it frills, check for extra stitches before changing the formula. Even with the intended count, your sample may need a different approach for its yarn and purpose. Record the shape and measurements; do not flatten a counting mistake by force.
Words in this lesson
Spiral
Continuous rounds with no joining slip stitch between them.
Increase
Here, two double crochet made into one existing stitch.
Notes & further reading
Original explanations and practice exercises by Crochet By Micky. UK stitch names are used; check the stitch key in any other pattern you follow.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. Cover artwork is an original illustration, not a third-party pattern or event photograph.