There are two basic ways to make a circle with crochet – rounds and spirals. Rounds are worked as distinct rows that are joined at the end, and then you chain up to get the height for the next row. Spirals are worked continuously, with the stitches for the new “row” worked right on top of the previous row without a join or chain up. Amigurumi is most often made with spirals, whereas rounds are used whenever you need a flat or even finished edge. The challenge with rounds is hiding the seam. The challenge with spirals is knowing where to stop! (I recommend a stitch marker.) Here’s a short demonstration of both techniques:

Spirals have gotten a lot of attention on Pinterest lately, especially in the use of multiple colors. They look fantastic, but it’s a tricky technique, so be sure to look for a tutorial that uses the same number of colors you want to use. Someone should gather all those in one place…. hm…. inspiration striking…

Whether using spirals or rounds, when switching colors, I recommend the tutorial over on NeedleNoodles – I gave it a try and it’s fantastic! It’s absolutely my go to technique for jog-less stripes from now on.

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