Whether you’re working with single crochet, half double crochet, or double crochet stitches, working in joined rounds may leave a noticeable seam.
And, sometimes these joined seams will start to form a noticeable diagonal curve with every new round added.
If you’re wondering why this happens, and would like to create a straight seam for your next tote bag, hat, hot pad or other project worked in joined rounds, there is a very simple formula.
When working in joined rounds, to create flat and even circles, every round increases to expand the size and stitch count of the last round.
To create a straight seam, the round should not begin with a stitch increase. Instead, the round should end with the stitch increase!
To help you see each of these stitch increase formulas, we’ve made a Straight Seams Cheat Sheet for the Single, Half Double and Double crochet stitches.
We even have a video tutorial for the Double Crochet stitch!
After you give each stitch a try, be sure to work up this straight seam formula with one of our free patterns listed.
Pin them, save them, and please share them with a friend who loves crochet:
Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Single Crochet: Straight Seam Formula
Form an adjustable loop.
Round 1 (Right Side): Ch 1 (first Sc, here and throughout), work 5 Sc into loop, Sl st to join – 6 Sc
Round 2: Ch 1, Sc into same St, work 2 Sc into each St around, Sl St to join – 12 Sc
Round 3: Ch 1, 2 Sc into next St, [Sc, work 2 Sc into next St] 5 times, Sl St to join – 18 Sc
Round 4: Ch 1, Sc into next St, 2 Sc into next St, [Sc into next 2 Sts, 2 Sc into next St] 5 times, Sl St to join – 24 Sc
Round 5: Ch 1, Sc into next 2 Sts, 2 Sc into next St, [Sc into next 3 Sts, 2 Sc into next St] 5 times, Sl St to join – 30 Sc
Continue pattern by evenly increasing each new round by 6 Sts.
Give this a try when you work up the Basketweave Tote!
Half Double Crochet: Straight Seam Formula
Form an adjustable loop.
Round 1 (Right Side): Ch 2 (first Hdc, here and throughout), work 9 Hdc into loop, Sl st to join – 10 Hdc
Round 2: Ch 2, Hdc into same St, work 2 Hdc into each St around, Sl St to join – 20 Hdc
Round 3: Ch 2, 2 Hdc into next St, [Hdc, work 2 Hdc into next St] 9 times, Sl St to join – 30 Hdc
Round 4: Ch 2, Hdc into next St, 2 Hdc into next St, [Hdc into next 2 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St] 9 times, Sl St to join – 40 Hdc
Round 5: Ch 2, Hdc into next 2 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St, [Hdc into next 3 Sts, 2 Hdc into next St] 9 times, Sl St to join – 50 Hdc
Continue pattern by evenly increasing each new round by 10 Sts.
Give this a try when you work up the Market Bag Trio Set!
Double Crochet: Straight Seam Formula
Form an adjustable loop.
Round 1 (Right Side): Ch 3 (first Dc, here and throughout), work 11 Hdc into loop, Sl st to join – 12 Dc
Round 2: Ch 3, Dc into same St, work 2 Dc into each St around, Sl St to join – 24 Dc
Round 3: Ch 3, 2 Dc into next St, [Dc, work 2 Dc into next St] 11 times, Sl St to join – 36 Dc
Round 4: Ch 3, Dc into next St, 2 Dc into next St, [Dc into next 2 Sts, 2 Dc into next St] 11 times, Sl St to join – 48 Dc
Round 5: Ch 3, Dc into next 2 Sts, 2 Dc into next St, [Dc into next 3 Sts, 2 Dc into next St] 11 times, Sl St to join – 60 Dc
Continue pattern by evenly increasing each new round by 12 Sts.
Give this a try when you work up the Ombre Beanie Hat!
Follow our video tutorial to work single, half double, and double crochet stitches in rounds, right here:
Click Here to share your finished projects in our community!
Peace + Love + Crochet
Salena
