That’s a crochet spiral or shell-shaped circle — it’s made using double crochet stitches with gradual increases in a circular pattern, then partially left open to create the spiral effect.
Here’s how to make it step-by-step:
🧶 Materials
- Yarn: 3-ply or 4-ply medium weight (acrylic or cotton works great)
- Crochet hook: 3.0–4.0 mm
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
🪡 Abbreviations (US terms)
| Abbrev | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| st | stitch |
| inc | increase (2 dc in same stitch) |
🌼 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Magic ring base
- Make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form a ring).
- Ch 3 (counts as first dc).
- Make 11 dc into the ring.
- Pull the ring closed tightly.
- Join with a sl st to the top of ch 3.
➡️ Total = 12 dc
Step 2: Round 2 – First increase
- Ch 3 (counts as dc).
- In the next stitch, make 2 dc.
- 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st — repeat all the way around.
- Join with sl st.
➡️ Total = 18 dc
📝 You’re adding 6 stitches per round to keep a smooth circular shape.
Step 3: Round 3 – Continue shaping
- Ch 3.
- 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st — repeat around.
- Join with sl st.
➡️ Total = 24 dc
Step 4: Round 4
- Ch 3.
- 1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st — repeat around.
- Join with sl st.
➡️ Total = 30 dc
Step 5: Round 5
- Ch 3.
- 1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st — repeat around.
- Join with sl st.
➡️ Total = 36 dc
🌀 Continue increasing like this — each round adds one more single dc between increases:
- Round 6: 1 dc in next 5, 2 dc in next
- Round 7: 1 dc in next 6, 2 dc in next
- Round 8: 1 dc in next 7, 2 dc in next
…and so on.
This makes a flat circle with visible radial lines like in the image.
🌙 Step 6: Create the spiral (the open slice)
Now for the spiral / shell effect:
- When your circle is as big as you want (about 10–12 cm in diameter), do not join at the end of your last round.
- Instead, turn your work and start crocheting back and forth (like rows) over ¾ of the circle only — leave one “slice” unworked.
- Each new row will slightly pull and curl the circle into a spiral shape.
Optional:
- To enhance the curl, increase slightly (2 dc in one st every few stitches) along the outer edge only.
- Do not increase near the center — that keeps the spiral tight in the middle and wider at the edge.
🌺 Finishing
- Fasten off your yarn when your spiral looks right.
- Weave in ends using your yarn needle.
- You can steam block it to flatten or leave it curled for a 3D shell look.
🌼 Tip
- To make a coaster, keep it flat.
- To make a shell or coral motif, crochet fewer rounds and leave the edge loose to curl naturally.
- You can even join two of these together to form a crochet seashell or decorative flower base.
