How to Crochet an Oval (Bag Bases, Rugs and Slippers)
An oval is a chain with stitches worked down both sides and around the ends, then increased only at the curves. The formula for any length, round-by-round increases that keep it flat, and what to make with it.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Time
- 30 minutes
You'll need
- Hook and yarn
- Stitch markers
In this post
To crochet an oval, chain the length you want, then work single crochet down one side of the chain, three stitches into the last chain to turn the corner, back along the other side, and two more into the first chain. That first round has exactly twice as many stitches as your chain. After that, increase only at the two curved ends — 6 stitches per round in total — and keep the long sides straight. The oval stays flat and grows evenly.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The oval, round by round
Example with ch 13 (the long sides each have 10 stitches). For any chain of n, replace 10 with n − 3.
- Rnd 1: Ch 13. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next 10, 3 sc in the last ch. Working along the other side of the chain, sc in the next 10, 2 sc in the first ch. Place a marker. (26)
- Rnd 2: Inc in the first st, sc 10, inc in each of the next 3, sc 10, inc in each of the last 2. (32)
- Rnd 3: (Sc, inc), sc 10, (sc, inc) × 3, sc 10, (sc, inc) × 2. (38)
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc), sc 10, (2 sc, inc) × 3, sc 10, (2 sc, inc) × 2. (44)
- Rnd 5 onwards: Keep adding one more sc before each inc at the ends; the 10-stitch sides never change. (+6 each round)
Oval sizes
| Use | Chain | Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Phone case base | 13 | 1 (then straight rounds) |
| Bag base | 30–40 | 3–5 |
| Slipper sole | 15–18 | 4–5 |
| Oval rug (T-shirt yarn) | 20–30 | 15+ |
For a cylinder (a case or pouch), stop after round 1 and work straight rounds: see the phone case and AirPods case. For a bag, work a few increase rounds, then go straight: crossbody bag.
Common questions
Why is my crochet oval curling?
Too few increases at the ends, or tight tension. Check you add 6 per round, all at the curves.
Why does my oval ruffle at the ends?
Too many increases, or increases stacked in one spot. Stagger them and keep to 6 per round.
How is an oval different from a circle?
A circle starts from a ring and increases all the way round; an oval starts from a chain and increases only at the two ends.
What are you making with your oval? 🥚
Stuck on a step? Crochet Help & Fixes answers the most common problems — curling, shrinking, wavy circles and more.
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