Knitting Spiral Circles:

Spiral-shaped circles in knitting create dynamic, flowing designs that seem to move across the fabric. Unlike traditional circular knitting, spirals are built with continuous, offset increases (or decreases), forming a smooth, swirling pattern without sharp edges or visible breaks. They can be worked from the inside out or the outside in, depending on the effect you're after. Try adding in different colours to create stripes within your circles!

Knitting from the Inside Out (Center Start Spiral)

This method is ideal for coasters, shawls, or rugs, creating a small swirling motif that expands outwards.

  1. Cast On: Use a circular cast-on like Emily Ocker’s or magic loop with 6 8 or 10 stitches. You cast on the same number of stitches that you will have intervals (sections or wedges). A circle shaped at 6 intervals per round will resemble a hexagon in shape, one with 8 intervals will resemble a octagon and one with 10 intervals per round will resemble a decagon. Having more intervals will create a gentler arcing shape. Generally knitted circles are created with 8 intervals and are then eased into a circle shape at the blocking stage.

  2. Set the Spiral:

    • Knit one round.

    • Place markers evenly (e.g., every 8 stitches).

    • Increase before or after each marker every other round to create the swirl.

  3. Edge Finish: A few rounds of garter stitch to stop the work curling then bind off loosely or add decorative picot or lace edging before binding off.

Sample Pattern (Basic Spiral – Inside Out)

  • Cast on 8 stitches.

  • Round 1: Knit all stitches.

  • Round 2: (K1, Y0) around.

  • Round 3: Knit all stitches.

  • Round 4: (K1, YO, K1) around.

  • Round 5: Knit all stitches.

  • Round 6: (K1, YO, K2) around.

Continue increasing in this pattern, increasing the number of knit stitches between the Yarn Over's.

PS. Yarn Over's are used as the increase stitch method so as to create decorative eyelets in the work.

Knitting from the Outside In (Border Start Spiral)

This method works beautifully for spiral shawls or decorative mats, where the outer edge makes the biggest visual impact.

  1. Cast On: Start with a long circular needle and a large number of stitches (a multiple of your chosen wedge size, e.g., 8 or 12).

  2. Your chance to create that decorative outer edge.

  3. Set the Spiral: Place markers evenly around the circle.

  4. Decrease the Spiral: (K to 2 stitches before marker, K2tog) every few rounds, shifting the start point by one stitch each round.

  5. Center Close: Finish with a small circle of stitches, and then cinch closed.

Sample Pattern (Basic Spiral – Outside In)

  • Cast on 288 stitches.

  • Knit 6 rounds.

  • Place markers with 32 stitches between them.

  • Round 7: (K to 2 stitches before marker, K2tog) around.

  • Knit 2 rounds.

  • Repeat rounds 7 - 9 until 9 stitches remain.