Starting in the Round with a Chain

Starting in the Round with a Chain:

Starting in the round with a chain is a beginner friendly technique. It is a straight forward method to creating a circle: make a short chain, and then slip stitch into the first chain to join. You'll then follow your pattern, making sure to work round one of your pattern into the center ring.

What does it mean to start in the round? It means we are setting up our project to be worked in a circular fashion. Rather than working our projects horizontally from the bottom-up, we are working from the middle of the project out. Projects started in this way include: hats, amigurumi, doilies, socks, etc. There are two ways to start your project in the round: with a chain, which is what we are covering in this tutorial, and with a magic circle.

This tutorial only covers how to begin your project in the round. Next steps will come from the pattern you are working with. Every project will be unique.

Starting a project in the round with a chain is the antithesis of using a magic circle. For the record, starting with a chain is not my preferred way of beginning circular projects. This method is going to leave a gap at the very center of your project. You can creatively sew it closed while weaving in your ends. It's also possible that fine, or fuzzy, yarn will hide the gap. If you use bulky yarn, the gap will be noticeable. The first projects I made in the round used this method. This is the officially recognized way to start projects in the round according to the Craft Yarn Council.

This could also be a design element! If this is the look that you are going for, let's do it!

On to the instructions!

Difficulty:

Beginner

Terms:

U.S. Terms

Supplies:

• Any yarn
• Hook that corresponds to your yarn

Skills Needed:

• Chain
• Slip stitch