The Crocheted Oval Recipe
How to Make an Oval Using Single Crochet Stitches
Crochet is particularly friendly to designers, both old and new. Almost every geometric shape can be made using crochet techniques. The oval is aesthetically pleasing and can be used to make rugs, throws, tablecloths, or blankets.
The Overall Concept
An oval or oblong shape uses elements of both back-and-forth and circular stitching. Essentially, two semicircles are being made at either end of a straight piece of crochet.
It’s very important to remember that the increases are grouped at the ends. The number of increases needed depends on the stitch pattern that is being worked. For example, single crochet requires 6 increases every round to remain flat. Since 6 divided by 2 = 3, each end of the oval should have 3 increases.
Making a Single Crochet Oval
Many different stitches can be used to make an oval. A common way to do so and a very easy way to understand the recipe concept is to start with a single crochet oval.
The first step in making a sc oval is to work a foundation chain. The foundation chain can be seen in Figure 1; it is the top row of chains. When that row is completed, turn, and then work two single crochets into the second chain from the hook. Single crochet across to the last chain (Figure 1).
Next, work 3 single crochet into the last chain. These increases spread out around the end of the chain, and are what begins to form the oval.
Rotate the piece so that the bottom half of the foundation chain turns to the top. Keeping the right side of the work towards you, work one stitch into each stitch on the opposite side of the foundation chain, including the chain where the first 2 single crochets were put. Those 2 sc plus the last one just made make up the 3 sc increase for that half of the first round of the oval. Join the round with a slip stitch. The oval should now look like Figure 2.
Begin working round 2, increasing in each of the next 2 stitches. Work straight until reaching the 3 stitches at the other end. Work 2 single crochets in each of those 3 single crochets (Figure 3), then work straight to the last stitch of the round and work 2 single crochet in that stitch (Figure 4). Increases of 3 stitches at each end have been made for the second round. Join the second round with a slip stitch (Figure 5).
From here on out, a bit of judgment comes into play. Keep increasing at the very end of each curve. For each round that follows, make the two increases evenly spaced at increasingly wider distances from the center of the curve. As long as the oval lies flat, it’s just fine.
Please take a moment to closely look at the photo illustrations at the bottom of this page. By clicking on each, a close-up will pop up. They will help in seeing the details. Grab some simple worsted weight yarn and a “J” hook, and actually do it while reading these instructions.
Using Stitches Other than Single Crochet
Crochet ovals don’t always have to be made using sc’s. A pattern may call for something different, or the look of another stitch may be preferred. Double crochets, treble crochets, double treble crochets—all of these can be implemented using this same recipe. But, please keep in mind the instructions will vary a bit. For example, a double crochet oval requires 12 increases every round (6 increases at each end.) A triple crochet oval requires 18 increases every round (9 increases at each end) and so forth.
Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Figure 3
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Figure 4
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Figure 5
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