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:
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 the Double Crochet Stitch in joined rounds, using this straight seam formula!
Click Here to share your finished projects in our community!
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