Rounds vs rows? 5 ways to tell which is best

Have you ever wondered why some projects are worked in the round, and some are marked to be worked in rows? You'll love our guide to making projects using both methods and showing the advantages and downsides of both.
1. Choosing rounds or rows
The easiest way to choose whether you should be crocheting in rounds or rows is to look at the final project you'd like to make. Is it flat, with straight sides? If it is, you'll be working in rows. Does it have curved edges? If the answer is yes, welcome to the world of rows.
Advertisement
Shutterstock
2. What is the difference between a row and a round?
Put simply, the difference between a row and a round is that at the end of a row, you turn your work and start again, so the end becomes the beginning. You build up your rows as you would build up a wall, stitch by stitch and layer by layer. Unfortunately, if you miss a stitch at the end or beginning, it really shows when you are working in rows. With rounds, you do not stop and turn, but continue onwards, giving a distinctive curved effect to the eventual outcome. This style of crochet is more forgiving to a beginner's mistakes but can feel a little confusing at first.
3. What sort of projects are made in rows?
Typically the sort of projects created in rows will be scarves, afghans, blankets, throws, pillow covers, washcloths, tablecloths and anything with a distinct edge and square or rectangle shape. Sometimes projects start in the round and then move to rows - examples would be socks or hats, which have curved bases leading to a tubular portion.
4. What sort of projects are made in rounds?
If the final project you are aiming for is round or curved in shape, you will probably be working in rounds. Think of bowls, round-bottomed baskets, tablemats, coasters, circular tablecloths and circular blanket motifs as great examples.
5. What is the difference between rounds and spirals?
There are different ways of working in the round. Sometimes, you will keep count of your stitches, maybe even marking the beginning of a new round with a stitch marker, and count your number of rounds carefully. Other patterns, typically like amigurumi, involve you carrying on with your crochet in a spiral. While initially easier, as you are not having to watch your number of stitches, it is quite easy to get confused in a spiral and not quite know whether you have made enough stitches or not.
Advertisement
Resources