Crocheting in Spiral vs. Circle: What’s the Difference?

When you dive into the world of crochet and amigurumi, you’ll encounter different techniques and methods for creating your projects. Two of the most common techniques used for crocheting amigurumi are crocheting in spiral and in circle (closing the round with a slip stitch and starting the next round with a chain). In this post, we’ll explore the difference between these two techniques and how they affect the final result of your crochet. Whether you’re crocheting amigurumis, hats, or any other circular project, understanding these techniques will help you achieve the results you want.

Crocheting in Spiral
Crocheting in spiral is a technique used for working on circular projects without joining at the end of each round. In this technique, you continue crocheting without closing the rounds, creating a continuous spiral. To crochet in spiral, simply continue crocheting into the next stitch without turning the work at the end of each round.

Advantages of crocheting in spiral:

• No visible seam in the project.
• Allows a continuous flow of crochet without interruptions.
• Ideal for projects like amigurumis, where no abrupt change in direction is needed.

Disadvantages of crocheting in spiral:

• Can be more complicated to count rounds and follow a specific pattern.
• Requires extra care to mark the beginning of each round.

Crocheting in Circle
This is a technique where you close each round and chain a number of stitches at the beginning of each round to reach the desired height.
Advantages of crocheting in circle:

• Allows a more defined structure in the crochet.
• Facilitates following patterns and counting rounds.
• Suitable for projects requiring direction changes or texture changes in the crochet.

Disadvantages of crocheting in circles:

• Can leave a visible seam in the project.
• Requires more time and additional steps compared to crocheting in spiral.

Both crocheting in spiral and in circle are valid techniques for circular projects, and the choice of one or the other will depend on the result you want to achieve and the type of project you are crocheting. Crocheting in spiral is ideal for projects without visible seams and a continuous flow of crochet, like amigurumis. On the other hand, crocheting in circle is more suitable for projects that require direction changes and a more defined structure.
Explore and experiment with both techniques to discover which one best suits your needs and preferences. Have fun crocheting!